Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 434: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe responds to Clarissa's letters, expressing concern for her health and approving her choice of Mr.
What happens
Anna Howe responds to Clarissa's letters, expressing concern for her health and approving her choice of Mr. Belford as executor. She criticizes Clarissa's family for their harshness and shares her own romantic dynamics with Mr. Hickman, whom she keeps in a probationary state.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Anna Howe's unwavering support and admiration for Clarissa, despite her family's harshness and Clarissa's trials.
Class and Social Reputation
Anna's concern with Mr. Hickman's behavior and the social perception of Lovelace's character.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Clarissa, approving her actions and sharing her own relationship with Mr. Hickman.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Recipient of the letter; her health is a concern, and her steadfastness is admired.
- Mr. Hickman
Anna keeps him in a probationary state, subjecting him to penance for negligences.
- Robert Lovelace
Detested by Anna and her company; his character is contrasted with Mr. Hickman's.
- John Belford
Approved by Anna for the office Clarissa has appointed him to.
Key passages
“I am extremely concerned at your indifferent state of health: but I approve of all your proceedings and precautions in relation to the appointment of Mr. Belford for an office, in which, I hope, neither he nor anybody else will be wanted to act, for many, very many years.”
Anna worries about Clarissa's poor health but supports her decision to name Belford as executor, hoping it won't be needed for a long time.
Anna expresses concern and approval regarding Clarissa's health and her choice of executor.
“I admire, and so we do all, that greatness of mind which can make you so steadfastly despise (through such inducements as no other woman could resist, and in such desolate circumstances as you have been reduced to) the wretch that ought to be so heartily despised and detested.”
Everyone admires Clarissa's strength in steadfastly rejecting Lovelace despite temptations and her dire situation.
Anna praises Clarissa's moral fortitude in despising Lovelace.
“I have been forced to mortify him no less than four times since we have been here. I made him lately undergo a severe penance for some negligences that were not to be passed over.”
Anna has humbled Hickman multiple times, recently imposing a harsh punishment for his carelessness.
Anna describes her disciplinary approach to Hickman's behavior.