# Letter 384: Miss Montague, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Miss Charlotte Montague writes to Clarissa on behalf of the entire family, expressing deep remorse for the injuries she has suffered at the hands of Mr. Lovelace. She pleads with Clarissa to forgive him and accept the family's offer of kinship, assuring her that Lord M., Lady Sarah Sadleir, and Lady Betty Lawrance will honor and love her. Montague offers to travel to London to receive Clarissa's commands, hoping to persuade her to become their kinswoman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

The letter frames Clarissa's potential forgiveness as an act of mercy that could redeem Lovelace and restore harmony to the family, highlighting the theme of redemption through suffering.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

The family's plea for Clarissa to accept Lovelace despite his past 'vileness' suggests a tension between the appearance of reconciliation and the reality of his unworthiness.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

The recipient of the letter, addressed as 'Dearest Madam' and 'dearest cousin,' whose forgiveness and acceptance are sought by the Montague family.

### Miss Charlotte Montague

The writer of the letter, who pleads on behalf of the family for Clarissa to forgive Lovelace and become their kinswoman.

### Robert Lovelace

Mentioned as the one who has committed 'past wickedness and ingratitude' and 'vileness' toward Clarissa, but is now said to be sincerely sorry and willing to beg pardon.

### Lord M.

Included among the family members who admire Clarissa's virtues and would do everything to make amends.

### Lady Sarah Sadleir

Listed as one of the family members who reveres Clarissa and would support her as a kinswoman.

### Lady Betty Lawrance

Mentioned as another family member who admires Clarissa and would help make reparation.

## Key lines

> All our family is deeply sensible of the injuries you have received at the hands of one of it, whom you only can render in any manner worthy of the relation he stands in to us all

Our entire family acknowledges the harm you have suffered from one of our members, and only you can make him deserving of his connection to us.

_Miss Montague emphasizes the family's awareness of Clarissa's suffering and her unique power to redeem Lovelace._

> if, as an act of mercy and charity, the greatest your pious heart can show, you will be pleased to look over his past wickedness and ingratitude, and suffer yourself to be our kinswoman, you will make us the happiest family in the world

If you, out of mercy and charity, could forgive his past wickedness and ingratitude and agree to become our relative, you would make our family extremely happy.

_The plea frames Clarissa's forgiveness as a charitable act that would bring joy to the family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-384-miss-montague-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters