Letter 328: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Anna's intense concern and impatience for Clarissa's reply demonstrate her deep loyalty and devotion to her friend.

• Family Obligation and Rebellion

  Anna pressures Clarissa to marry Lovelace for the sake of her family and honor, reflecting the tension between personal choice and familial duty.

Characters to notice

• Anna Howe

  Writes to Clarissa, expressing impatience and scolding her for not replying sooner, while urging her to accept Lady Betty's protection.

• Clarissa Harlowe

  The recipient of the letter; Anna is anxious about her health and her delay in responding.

• Lady Betty Lawrance

  Mentioned as the protector under whose care Anna urges Clarissa to place herself.

• Robert Lovelace

  Referred to as 'the wretch' whom Anna insists Clarissa must marry for the sake of honor and family.

Key passages

• “Why should you permit a mind, so much devoted to your service, to labour under such an impatience as you must know it would labour under, for want of an answer to a letter of such consequence to you , and therefore to me , as was mine of Thursday night?”

  Why do you let me, who am so devoted to you, suffer such anxiety by not answering my important letter from Thursday night?

  Anna expresses her frustration and worry over Clarissa's silence.

• “If you would not have the wretch for your own sake; have him you must, for mine , for your family's , for your honour's , sake!”

  Even if you don't want Lovelace for yourself, you must marry him for my sake, for your family's sake, and for the sake of your honor.

  Anna insists that Clarissa's marriage to Lovelace is necessary for social and familial reasons.