# Letter 372: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Anna Howe responds to Clarissa's letters, fully supporting her resolution not to marry Lovelace. She urges Clarissa to recover her health and spirits, discusses the possibility of Clarissa living near her after marriage, and mentions sending Clarissa's letter to the Misses Montague. Anna also encourages Clarissa to write her story for publication as a moral example.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Anna praises Clarissa's firm resolution to reject Lovelace, highlighting her moral strength and self-justification.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Anna expresses deep concern for Clarissa's health and offers unwavering support, even mediating with Clarissa's family.

### Class and Social Reputation

Anna discusses the potential publication of Clarissa's story as a moral example, reflecting on social reputation and the didactic value of her trials.

## Character check-ins

### Anna Howe

Writes to Clarissa, supporting her decision and urging her to recover her health.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Recipient of the letter; praised for her noble resolution and encouraged to write her story.

### Robert Lovelace

Referred to as a 'vilest of men' and 'perjured miscreant'; Clarissa is resolved against him.

### Mr. Hickman

Mentioned as Anna's suitor; Anna asserts her independence regarding friendships after marriage.

### Mrs. Howe

Anna's mother; suggests Clarissa write her story and approves of Clarissa's resentment.

### Miss Charlotte Montague

Recipient of Clarissa's letter sent by Anna.

## Key lines

> I congratulate you most heartily upon it; and beg your pardon for but seeming to doubt that theory and practice were not the same thing with my beloved Clarissa.

I sincerely congratulate you and apologize for ever doubting that your actions would match your principles.

_Anna acknowledges her earlier hesitation and reaffirms her admiration for Clarissa's consistency._

> That a censured person should first seek to be justified to herself, and give but a second place to the world’s opinion of her; and, in all cases where the two could not be reconciled, have preferred the first to the last

A person under criticism should prioritize being at peace with themselves over worrying about public opinion.

_Anna recalls Clarissa's own doctrine, emphasizing inner justification over external judgment._

> I shall let him know how far his own quiet was concerned in such an impertinence; especially if they were such friendships as were contracted before I knew him.

I will make it clear to Mr. Hickman that his peace depends on not interfering with my pre-existing friendships.

_Anna asserts her independence regarding friendships after marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-372-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters