Letter 351: Miss Howe, to Miss Arabella Harlowe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family Obligation and Rebellion

  Anna Howe appeals to Arabella's familial duty to visit her sister, highlighting the tension between family obligation and the estrangement caused by Clarissa's rebellion.

• Suffering and Redemption

  Clarissa's severe illness and distress from her father's curse underscore her suffering, with potential for redemption through family reconciliation.

Characters to notice

• Anna Howe

  Writes to Arabella Harlowe to inform her of Clarissa's critical condition.

• Arabella Harlowe

  Recipient of the letter; urged to visit her ill sister.

• Clarissa Harlowe

  Dangerously ill and unaware of the letter; distressed by her father's imprecation.

Key passages

• “I cannot help acquainting you (however it may be received, coming from me ) that your poor sister is dangerously ill, at the house of one Smith, who keeps a glover’s and perfume shop, in King-street, Covent-garden.”

  I feel compelled to inform you, even if you might not welcome news from me, that your sister is gravely ill at the home of a Mr. Smith, a glover and perfumer on King Street in Covent Garden.

  Anna Howe conveys the urgency of Clarissa's condition despite potential hostility from Arabella.

• “Some violent words, in the nature of an imprecation, from her father, afflict her greatly in her weak state.”

  Her father's harsh, curse-like words have caused her great distress in her fragile condition.

  Clarissa's suffering is compounded by her father's condemnation.

• “I presume not to direct you what to do in this case. You are her sister. I therefore could not help writing to you, not only for her sake, but for your own.”

  I do not presume to tell you what to do; you are her sister. I felt I had to write for her sake and for your own good.

  Anna appeals to Arabella's sense of sisterly duty and self-interest.