Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 429: Miss Arab. Harlowe, to Miss Cl. Harlowe explained
Arabella Harlowe writes to Clarissa, responding to her letters to their uncles.
What happens
Arabella Harlowe writes to Clarissa, responding to her letters to their uncles. She proposes two options: either Clarissa prosecutes Lovelace for his crimes, or she agrees to exile in Pennsylvania for several years. Arabella criticizes Clarissa's supposed repentance and suggests that if Clarissa refuses to pursue legal action, the family will assume the worst about her conduct.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Arabella frames Clarissa's elopement as a rebellion against family duty, and the family's proposals (prosecution or exile) are attempts to enforce obedience and restore reputation.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Arabella questions the sincerity of Clarissa's repentance and hints that Clarissa's true conduct may be worse than she admits, emphasizing the gap between appearance and reality.
Characters to notice
- Arabella Harlowe
Writes the letter to Clarissa, delivering the family's ultimatums and expressing scorn for Clarissa's supposed repentance.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The recipient; Arabella addresses her as 'sister Clary' and criticizes her conduct and lack of genuine penitence.
- Robert Lovelace
Referred to as 'the villain' whom Clarissa ran away with; Arabella suggests Clarissa should prosecute him.
- Mrs. Norton
Mentioned as having provided information about Clarissa's situation to the family.
- Anna Howe
Referenced indirectly through 'Mrs. Howe' and 'her lively daughter' as having hinted at Clarissa's story.
Key passages
“If, Clary, there be anything but jingle and affected period in what proceeds from your full mind, and your dutiful consciousness; and if there be truth in what Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Howe have acquainted us with; you may yet justify your character to us, and to the world, in everything but your scandalous elopement; and the law may reach the villain.”
If your words are sincere and not just empty rhetoric, and if what Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Howe have told us is true, you can still clear your reputation except for the elopement, and the law could punish Lovelace.
Arabella offers Clarissa a chance to redeem herself through legal action, conditional on her honesty.
“Mr. Hartley has a widow-sister at Pensylvania, with whom he will undertake you may board, and who is a sober, sensible, well-read woman. And if you were once well there, it would rid your father and mother of a world of cares, and fears, and scandal; and that I think is what you should wish for of all things.”
Mr. Hartley's widowed sister in Pennsylvania can host you; going there would relieve your parents of worry and scandal, which you should desire.
Arabella presents exile to Pennsylvania as a solution to the family's shame and distress.