# Letter 437: Mr. Wyerley, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Mr. Wyerley renews his marriage proposal to Clarissa, praising her virtue and resolution in rejecting Lovelace, and offering his fortune and protection despite her current destitution and persecution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa's refusal to forgive Lovelace is celebrated as an act of magnanimity and adherence to virtue.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Mr. Wyerley admits to using 'honest art' by suggesting that Clarissa's silence would be taken as consent, highlighting the tension between sincerity and manipulation.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

The recipient of Mr. Wyerley's renewed address, praised for her virtue and steadfastness.

### Mr. Wyerley

The author of the letter, a former rejected suitor who renews his proposal after hearing of Clarissa's sufferings.

### Robert Lovelace

Referenced as the vile man who treated Clarissa basely and whose repentance is rejected.

## Key lines

> I ever loved you; I ever must love you. Yet have I endeavoured to resign to my hard fate.

I have always loved you and always will, though I tried to accept that I could not have you.

_Mr. Wyerley expresses his enduring love and his failed attempts to move on._

> I pride myself, I say, to stand forth, and offer my fortune, and my life, at your devotion.

I take pride in being the one to offer you my wealth and my life, despite your current lack of support.

_Mr. Wyerley offers himself as Clarissa's protector in her time of need._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-437-mr-wyerley-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters