Letter 355: Miss Howe, to Miss Arabella Harlowe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family Obligation and Rebellion

  Anna Howe criticizes the Harlowe family for failing to support Clarissa, highlighting the tension between familial duty and individual virtue.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Anna's fierce defense of Clarissa demonstrates deep loyalty and friendship, contrasting with the betrayal Clarissa faces from her own family.

Characters to notice

• Anna Howe

  Writes a sharp, reproachful letter to Arabella Harlowe, defending Clarissa and criticizing the Harlowe family's treatment of her.

• Arabella Harlowe

  Recipient of the letter; accused of low malice, falsehood, and spite, and blamed for contributing to Clarissa's downfall.

• Clarissa Harlowe

  Praised by Anna as an admirable and superior genius whose advice was invaluable; her misfortunes are attributed to her brother and sister.

Key passages

• “It may be the misfortune of some people to engage everybody’s notice: others may be the happier, though they may be the more envious, for nobody’s thinking them worthy of any.”

  Some people attract attention as a misfortune, while others are happier—though more envious—because no one considers them important enough to notice.

  Anna opens with a general reflection on attention and envy, setting a critical tone toward Arabella.

• “Your admirable sister, in effect, saved you, Miss, as well as me—with this difference—you, against your will—me with mine: and but for your own brother, and his own sister, would not have been lost herself.”

  Your admirable sister saved both you and me—you against your will, me with mine—and if not for your brother and sister, she would not have been ruined herself.

  Anna argues that Clarissa's virtue protected even those who opposed her, and that her family's actions led to her downfall.