Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 367: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe responds to Clarissa's letters, expressing deep concern over her health and urging her to consider reconciliation with Lovelace despite his past wrongs.
What happens
Anna Howe responds to Clarissa's letters, expressing deep concern over her health and urging her to consider reconciliation with Lovelace despite his past wrongs. She recounts a tense encounter with Lovelace at Colonel Ambrose's gathering, where he pleaded for her intercession, and reveals that her mother and friends advise Clarissa to marry him. Anna suspends her decision to reject Lovelace's family's proposal, awaiting Clarissa's final word.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Anna's passionate defense of Clarissa and her willingness to confront Lovelace demonstrate deep loyalty, though she struggles with the advice of others.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace's public penitence contrasts with his past villainy, raising questions about the sincerity of his transformation.
Class and Social Reputation
The pressure on Clarissa to marry Lovelace to restore her honor and the family's reputation is a central tension in the letter.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Clarissa with emotional turmoil, recounting her encounter with Lovelace and her conflicted advice.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The recipient of the letter; Anna references her letters and her declining health, urging her to live.
- Robert Lovelace
Appears at Colonel Ambrose's gathering, pleading with Anna for her intercession and expressing penitence.
- Mrs. Howe
Accompanies Anna to the gathering; engages with Lovelace and later advises Clarissa to marry him.
- Mr. Hickman
Mentioned as having a proposal for Clarissa and as a witness to Lovelace's behavior; Anna will relay Clarissa's mind through him.
Key passages
“I could not forbear dipping into them there; and shedding more tears over them than I will tell you of; although I dried my eyes as well as I could, that the company I was obliged to return to, and my mother, should see as little of my concern as possible.”
Anna read Clarissa's letters at the gathering and cried, but hid her tears from the others.
Shows Anna's emotional investment and the social pressure to conceal distress.
“I have no opinion of coolness in friendship, be it dignified or distinguished by the name of prudence, or what it will.”
Anna believes true friendship must be passionate, not cautious or prudent.
Highlights Anna's fiery temperament and her critique of restrained affection.
“He vindicated not any part of his conduct, but that of the arrest; and so solemnly protested his sorrow for his usage of you, accusing himself in the freest manner, and by deserved appellations, that I promised to lay before you this part of our conversation.”
Lovelace defended only the arrest and otherwise confessed his guilt, so Anna agreed to report his words to Clarissa.
Indicates Lovelace's selective remorse and Anna's role as intermediary.