Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 375: Mrs. Norton, to Mrs. Harlowe explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Norton writes to Mrs. Harlowe, seeking permission to share a letter from Clarissa. She reports that Clarissa has refused offers of marriage and forgiveness from Lord M., his sisters, nieces, and Lovelace himself, partly due to her conviction that she will not live long and a desire not to give a husband rights over her estate. Mrs. Norton hopes the family's authority might persuade Clarissa to change her mind, but she acts without Clarissa's knowledge to avoid further distress.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa exercises agency by refusing marriage offers despite family and social pressure, prioritizing her virtue and estate control.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Mrs. Norton seeks family authority to influence Clarissa's decision, while Clarissa's refusal represents a continued rebellion against familial control.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Norton
Writes to Mrs. Harlowe, seeking permission to share Clarissa's letter and advocating for family intervention.
- Mrs. Harlowe
Addressee of the letter; Mrs. Norton appeals to her for authority and advice regarding Clarissa.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Subject of the letter; has refused forgiveness and marriage offers from Lovelace and his family, partly due to her declining health and estate concerns.
- Robert Lovelace
Mentioned as the 'wicked man' whose offers of marriage Clarissa has refused.
- Lord M.
Mentioned as one of those who applied to Clarissa to forgive and marry Lovelace.
Key passages
“Applications have been made to the dear young lady from Lord M., from the two ladies his sisters, and from both his nieces, and from the wicked man himself, to forgive and marry him. This, in noble indignation for the usage she has received from him, she has absolutely refused.”
Clarissa has been approached by Lord M., his sisters, his nieces, and Lovelace himself, all urging her to forgive and marry him, but she has firmly refused due to the mistreatment she suffered.
Highlights Clarissa's steadfast refusal of marriage offers despite pressure from Lovelace's family.
“I have reason to believe that one motive for her refusal is her full conviction that she shall not long be a trouble to anybody; and so she would not give a husband a right to interfere with her family, in relation to the estate her grandfather devised to her.”
Mrs. Norton suspects Clarissa refuses marriage partly because she believes she will die soon and wants to prevent a husband from controlling the estate left to her by her grandfather.
Reveals Clarissa's declining health and her strategic concern for her property.