Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 33: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Miss Howe detailing her failed attempt to discourage Mr.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Miss Howe detailing her failed attempt to discourage Mr. Solmes from pursuing her. She encloses her letter to Solmes, his reply, and a harsh letter from her brother James. Clarissa appeals to Solmes's generosity to desist for her sake, but Solmes persists, citing his love and the family's opposition to Lovelace. James's letter rebukes Clarissa for her 'romantic' behavior and reaffirms the family's determination to prevent her marriage to Lovelace.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa takes the unusual step of writing directly to Solmes to assert her refusal, demonstrating her agency despite familial pressure.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa's rebellion against her family's choice of Solmes and her brother's harsh reprimand highlight the conflict between duty and personal will.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Miss Howe about her direct appeal to Mr. Solmes to withdraw his suit, expressing distress over family pressure.
- Mr. Solmes
Receives Clarissa's letter and responds, refusing to give up his pursuit and asserting his determination.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Writes a scathing letter to Clarissa, blaming her for the family conflict and vowing to prevent her marriage to Lovelace.
- Anna Howe
The recipient of Clarissa's letter, though not directly appearing in the excerpts.
Key passages
“Having met with such bad success in my application to my relations, I have taken a step that will surprise you. It is no other than writing a letter to Mr. Solmes himself.”
After failing to get support from my family, I did something unexpected: I wrote directly to Mr. Solmes.
Clarissa explains her unconventional decision to appeal to Solmes directly.
“I write, Sir, to demand of you the peace of mind you have robbed me of: to demand of you the love of so many dear friends, of which you have deprived me; and, if you have the generosity that should distinguish a man, and a gentleman, to adjure you not to continue an address that has been attended with such cruel effects to the creature you profess to esteem.”
I ask you to restore my happiness and family love, and beg you to stop your suit, which has caused me so much pain.
Clarissa appeals to Solmes's honor to end his pursuit for her sake.
“But to say nothing of what fires us all with indignation against you (your owning your prepossession in a villain’s favour, and your impertinence to me, and your sister, and your uncles; one of which has given it you home, child), how can you lay at Mr. Solmes’s door the usage you so bitterly complain of?”
Your admission of favoring that villain Lovelace and your rudeness to us is what angers everyone. You cannot blame Mr. Solmes for the treatment you receive.
James rebukes Clarissa for blaming Solmes for her troubles, which he attributes to her own actions.