Letter 39: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family Obligation and Rebellion

  Clarissa's refusal to obey her family's command to marry Solmes, despite intense pressure from parents, uncles, and brother, highlights the conflict between filial duty and personal autonomy.

• Power and Manipulation

  The Harlowes manipulate Mrs. Norton as a tool to coerce Clarissa, while James Jr. exerts domineering control over the family's decisions, silencing dissent.

• Class and Social Reputation

  The family's insistence on Solmes is driven by advantageous settlements and social reputation, valuing material gain over Clarissa's happiness.

Characters to notice

• Clarissa Harlowe

  Clarissa writes to Anna Howe detailing the family's latest effort to force her into marrying Solmes, involving Mrs. Norton as an intermediary.

• Anna Howe

  Clarissa's correspondent; the letter is addressed to her, explaining the abrupt break in their previous correspondence.

• Mrs. Norton

  Mrs. Norton is summoned by the Harlowes to persuade Clarissa to marry Solmes. She attempts to advocate for Clarissa but is harshly treated by James Jr. and ultimately fails.

• James Harlowe Jr.

  James is the primary antagonist in this letter, dominating the family's强硬 stance, insulting Mrs. Norton, and insisting on Clarissa's absolute submission.

• Mrs. Harlowe

  Mrs. Harlowe speaks to Mrs. Norton about Clarissa's obstinacy, but is silenced by others when she suggests the family's methods may have been too harsh.

• Mr. Solmes

  Solmes is the suitor the family is forcing upon Clarissa; the treaty with him is said to be concluded, and he is willing to overlook Clarissa's reluctance.

Key passages

• “The declaration, that my heart was free, afforded them an argument to prove obstinacy and perverseness upon me; since it could be nothing else that governed me in my opposition to their wills, if I had no particular esteem for another man.”

  My claim that I was not in love gave them a reason to call me stubborn, because they thought only a romantic attachment could justify defying them.

  Clarissa explains how her family twisted her honesty into evidence of willfulness.

• “Mr. Solmes, knowing she has good principles, and hoping by his patience now, and good treatment hereafter, to engage her gratitude, and by degrees her love, is willing to overlook all!”

  Mr. Solmes, aware of Clarissa's virtue, expects that his forbearance and kindness will eventually win her affection, so he forgives her current resistance.

  Mrs. Harlowe relays Solmes's condescending willingness to overlook Clarissa's objections.

• “We will not, in short, be bullied out of our child by a cursed rake, who had like to have killed our only son!”

  We will not be intimidated into losing our daughter to that wicked libertine who nearly murdered our son.

  Mr. Harlowe expresses the family's determination to prevent Clarissa from marrying Lovelace.