Letter 50: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Family Obligation and Rebellion

  Clarissa is ordered to obey her father and uncles by going to her uncle's house to meet Solmes; she rebels by refusing to comply willingly and writing a defiant letter.

• Power and Manipulation

  James Harlowe uses the authority of the father and uncles to coerce Clarissa; the family's plan to isolate her and cut off correspondence is a manipulative power play.

• Female Agency and Virtue

  Clarissa asserts her right to refuse Solmes and to correspond with Anna Howe, defending her own judgment and virtue against patriarchal control.

Characters to notice

• Clarissa Harlowe

  Writes to Anna Howe, enclosing her brother's letter and her defiant reply; expresses outrage at being forced to go to her uncle's to receive Solmes's visits.

• Anna Howe

  Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa asks for her opinion on the reply she wrote to her brother.

• James Harlowe Jr.

  Writes the letter conveying the family's resolution; uses pedantic and insulting language; Clarissa accuses him of instigating the harsh treatment.

• Arabella Harlowe

  Mentioned as having reported Clarissa's obstinacy along with their aunt; part of the family coalition against Clarissa.

• Mr. Solmes

  The suitor the family wants Clarissa to accept; the move to uncle Antony's is designed to force her to receive his visits.

• Antony Harlowe

  Clarissa's uncle; his house is the destination for her confinement, described as a moated house with a chapel.

Key passages

• “On the report made by my aunt and sister of my obstinacy, my assembled relations have taken an unanimous resolution (as Betty tells me it is) against me.”

  Based on what my aunt and sister said about my stubbornness, my family has all agreed on a decision against me, according to Betty.

  Clarissa learns of the family's united front against her.

• “You will have but short notice of the day, for obvious reasons.”

  You won't get much warning about when you'll be sent, for reasons that are clear.

  James hints that they will move quickly to prevent Clarissa from preparing or escaping.

• “I think myself so much entitled to resent your infamous hint, and this as well for the sake of my sex, as for my own, that I ought to declare, as I do, that I will not receive any more of your letters, unless commanded to do so by an authority I never will dispute; except in a case where I think my future as well as present happiness concerned.”

  I have every right to be angry at your disgusting insinuation, both as a woman and for myself, so I declare that I won't accept any more letters from you unless my father orders me to—and even then, only if my happiness isn't at stake.

  Clarissa rebukes her brother's insult and sets conditions for future correspondence.