# Letter 51: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa reports that her family is in an uproar over her refusal to comply with their demands. Her brother James writes a more moderate letter, endorsed by her mother, insisting she visit her uncle Antony's estate to entertain Mr. Solmes's courtship. Clarissa responds by appealing directly to her parents, pleading for liberty and expressing her aversion to Solmes, but fears her brother's influence will undermine her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa's refusal to comply with her family's command to entertain Solmes highlights the tension between filial duty and personal autonomy.

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her right to refuse a suitor based on her conscience and sense of matrimonial duty, claiming liberty as essential to her virtue.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes to Miss Howe, describing the family turmoil and her desperate appeal to her parents for freedom from forced marriage.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Writes a more moderate letter to Clarissa at the family's behest, but she accuses him of misrepresenting her and undermining her position.

### Mrs. Harlowe

Endorses James's letter to Clarissa, urging her to read it with proper temper and duty.

### Mr. Solmes

Mentioned as the suitor Clarissa is being pressured to accept; he is said to be uneasy about her constraint and willing to give her freedom if she remains unmoved.

### Arabella Harlowe

Mentioned as being present at the family conference and as one who shows little mercy to Clarissa.

## Key lines

> What are riches, what are settlements, to happiness?

Clarissa questions the value of wealth and legal agreements compared to personal happiness.

_Highlights her prioritization of emotional well-being over material gain._

> That liberty is all I ask.

Clarissa states that her only request is the freedom to refuse the marriage.

_Emphasizes her plea for autonomy in the face of family pressure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-51-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe
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