Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 431: Mrs. Norton, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Norton returns Clarissa's letters and warns her of an upcoming harsh letter from her sister, Arabella, instigated by Mr. Brand's report of a man visiting Clarissa. She advises Clarissa to drop the acquaintance and notes that Colonel Morden is investigating Lovelace's intentions, though tensions are rising within the family.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Mr. Brand's report and the family's belief in appearances of impropriety drive the conflict, despite Clarissa's possible innocence.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
The family's harsh censures and unforgivingness highlight the tension between familial duty and Clarissa's autonomy.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Recipient of the letter; Mrs. Norton warns her of family censures and a forthcoming harsh letter from her sister.
- Mrs. Norton
Writer of the letter; returns Clarissa's letters, expresses grief over her treatment, and advises caution regarding a male visitor.
- Antony Harlowe
Mentioned as the source of a cruel letter to Clarissa, contributing to the family's severity.
- Arabella Harlowe
Mentioned as having written a letter with proposals to Clarissa, which Mrs. Norton warns will be distressing.
- Colonel Morden
Visited the family, is concerned for Clarissa, and plans to inquire about Lovelace's intentions; currently experiencing some coldness from the family.
Key passages
“The motives which incline them all to this severity, if well grounded, would authorize any severity they could express, and which, while they believe them to be so, both they and you are to be equally pitied.”
If the family's reasons for being so harsh are true, then their harshness would be justified; but since they believe those reasons, both they and Clarissa deserve sympathy.
Mrs. Norton explains the family's perspective while still sympathizing with Clarissa.
“They are owning to the information of that officious Mr. Brand, who has acquainted them (from some enemy of yours in the neighbourhood about you) that visits are made you, highly censurable, by a man of a free character, and an intimate of Mr. Lovelace; who is often in private with you; sometimes twice or thrice a day.”
The family has been informed by the meddlesome Mr. Brand that a man of loose morals, a friend of Lovelace, is visiting you frequently in private, which they find very objectionable.
Mrs. Norton relays the damaging report that has turned the family against Clarissa.