# Letter 427: The Rev. Dr. Lewen, to Miss Cl. Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

The Rev. Dr. Lewen writes to Clarissa from his sickbed, urging her to prosecute Lovelace for his crimes. He argues that her religion, duty to family, honour, and charity to her sex demand public evidence against Lovelace. He warns that failing to prosecute may lead to further violence between Lovelace and her family, and insists that suppressed evidence is nearly as bad as false evidence. He acknowledges the difficulty of testifying in court but asserts that modesty must yield to justice and truth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Dr. Lewen argues that Clarissa's virtue and honour oblige her to take legal action, framing prosecution as an act of justice rather than a breach of modesty.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's suffering is acknowledged, and Dr. Lewen presents prosecution as a path to redeem her family's honour and prevent further harm.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Dr. Lewen addresses her as a paragon of virtue and urges her to prosecute Lovelace.

### Robert Lovelace

Described as the most profligate and abandoned of men who acted basely toward Clarissa.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Mentioned as a potential participant in violence with Lovelace if Clarissa does not prosecute.

### Colonel Morden

Reported to have arrived and resolved to see justice done for Clarissa.

### Arabella Harlowe

Mentioned as likely to propose the prosecution to Clarissa through proper authority.

## Key lines

> I think you are the least to blame of any young lady that was ever reduced from happy to unhappy circumstances

Dr. Lewen believes Clarissa is less responsible for her downfall than any other young woman in similar circumstances.

_Dr. Lewen absolves Clarissa of blame for her misfortunes._

> Little, very little difference is there, my dear young lady, between a suppressed evidence, and a false one.

Withholding the truth is almost as bad as lying.

_Dr. Lewen equates failing to testify with giving false testimony._

> Conscience, honour, justice, are on your side: and modesty would, by some, be thought but an empty name, should you refuse to obey their dictates.

Your moral principles and sense of justice support prosecution; modesty would be meaningless if you ignore them.

_Dr. Lewen argues that modesty should not prevent Clarissa from seeking justice._

## Links

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