# Letter 386: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Montague explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa responds to Miss Montague's kind letter, expressing regret for the lost opportunity of a reputable alliance with the Lovelace family, but firmly rejecting any possibility of marrying Lovelace due to his premeditated violence and degradation of her. She requests that the family use their influence to persuade Lovelace to cease his harassment, as she wishes to live in peace or die in peace.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her moral agency by refusing to marry Lovelace despite family and social pressure, prioritizing her virtue over reputation.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Clarissa contrasts the outward nobility of the Lovelace family with Lovelace's inner wickedness, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes to Miss Montague, expressing gratitude but firmly rejecting Lovelace and pleading for peace.

### Miss Charlotte Montague

Recipient of the letter; Clarissa addresses her with respect and gratitude.

### Robert Lovelace

Subject of Clarissa's rejection; she condemns his violence and refuses to marry him.

### Lord M.

Mentioned as one whose authority Clarissa hopes will be used to persuade Lovelace.

### Lady Betty Lawrance

Included among those Clarissa asks to join in urging Lovelace to desist.

## Key lines

> my heart sincerely repulses the man who, descended from such a family, could be guilty, first , of such premeditated violence as he has been guilty of; and, as he knows, farther intended me, on the night previous to the day he set out for Berkshire; and, next , pretending to spirit, could be so mean as to wish to lift into that family a person he was capable of abasing into a companionship with the most abandoned of her sex.

Clarissa declares that she cannot accept a man who, despite his noble birth, committed premeditated violence against her and planned further harm, and who hypocritically wants to elevate her to his family after debasing her to the level of the worst women.

_Clarissa articulates her moral rejection of Lovelace, citing his violence and hypocrisy._

> if I am designed for life , it will be very cruel in him to attempt to hunt me out of it; for I am determined never to see him more, if I can help it.

If Clarissa is meant to live, Lovelace's pursuit is cruel because she is resolved never to see him again.

_Clarissa pleads for Lovelace to stop harassing her, emphasizing her determination to avoid him._

## Links

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