# Letter 406: Mr. Antony Harlowe, to Miss Cl. Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Mr. Antony Harlowe writes a harsh reply to Clarissa's letter, accusing her of feigning illness and penitence, demanding she answer a shameful question about her conduct with Lovelace, and quoting Ecclesiasticus to justify the family's severity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Antony Harlowe's letter exemplifies the family's demand for obedience and their condemnation of Clarissa's rebellion, using scripture to reinforce patriarchal authority.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Antony accuses Clarissa of pretending to be worse in health and better in penitence than she truly is, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances.

### Suffering and Redemption

The letter denies Clarissa's suffering as deserving of compassion, insisting she must 'smart a little more' before being granted any part of her estate, reflecting a punitive view of suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Addressed as 'unhappy girl' and accused of making herself 'worse than you are in your health, and better than you are in your penitence' to move compassion.

### Antony Harlowe

Writes the letter, expressing anger and disappointment, and quoting scripture to condemn Clarissa's actions.

### Mr. John Harlowe

Referred to as 'Brother John' who asked a plain question that hurt Clarissa's 'niceness'; Clarissa's trustee who will not let her be destitute.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Mentioned as having gone to Edinburgh and having prognosticated that Clarissa would apply to the family when she knew not how to help it.

### Mrs. Harlowe

Described as having a heart 'too full of grief' to ask the shameful question.

### Arabella Harlowe

Mentioned as not being able to ask the question because 'modesty will not let your sister ask'.

## Key lines

> You lived several guilty weeks with one of the vilest fellows that ever drew breath, at bed, as well as at board, no doubt, (for is not his character known?) and pray don't be ashamed to be asked after what may naturally come of such free living.

Antony bluntly implies that Clarissa must have been sexually intimate with Lovelace and should not be offended when asked about a possible pregnancy.

_This paraphrase captures the crude insinuation and the family's obsession with Clarissa's potential pregnancy._

> A father waketh for his daughter, when no man knoweth; and the care for her taketh away his sleep—When she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age—(and you know what proposals were made to you at different times). And, being married, lest she should be hated. In her virginity, lest she should be defiled, and gotten with child in her father's house—(I don't make the words, mind that.)

Antony quotes Ecclesiasticus to remind Clarissa of a father's duty to guard his daughter's chastity, implying that she has brought shame upon the family by ignoring their warnings.

_This paraphrase explains the biblical reference and its use as a moral weapon against Clarissa._

## Links

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