Letter 353: Miss Howe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family Obligation and Rebellion

  Anna Howe criticizes the Harlowe family for failing in their duty to Clarissa, highlighting the tension between familial obligation and cruelty.

• Female Agency and Virtue

  Anna asserts her own moral agency and defends her right to speak on Clarissa's behalf, challenging Arabella's authority.

Characters to notice

• Anna Howe

  Author of the letter; expresses indignation and defends her motives.

• Arabella Harlowe

  Recipient of the letter; accused of ill-nature and contributing to Clarissa's suffering.

• Clarissa Harlowe

  Referred to as 'the unhappy body'; the subject of the family's mistreatment.

Key passages

• “If you had half as much sense as you have ill-nature, you would (notwithstanding the exuberance of the latter) have been able to distinguish between a kind intention to you all (that you might have the less to reproach yourselves with, if a deplorable case should happen) and an officiousness I owed you not, by reason of freedoms at least reciprocal.”

  If you were as sensible as you are spiteful, you'd see I meant well—to spare you guilt if tragedy occurs—rather than meddling, given our mutual insults.

  Anna rebukes Arabella's accusation of officiousness, framing her letter as a kindness.

• “I will not, for the unhappy body’s sake, as you call a sister you have helped to make so, say all that I could say.”

  For the sake of the poor woman you've helped ruin—whom you call 'the unhappy body'—I'll hold back from saying everything I could.

  Anna restrains herself out of respect for Clarissa, but implies she has much more to condemn.

• “If what I fear happen, you shall hear (whether desired or not) all the mind of Anna Howe.”

  If my worst fears come true, you will hear my full opinion, whether you want to or not.

  Anna threatens to speak out fully if Clarissa dies, asserting her moral authority.