Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 523: Miss Howe, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Miss Howe responds to John Belford's questioning regarding her delay in fulfilling Clarissa's will.
What happens
Miss Howe responds to John Belford's questioning regarding her delay in fulfilling Clarissa's will. She defends her reluctance to marry Mr. Hickman, citing her independent spirit and fear of losing autonomy. She also reminds Belford of Clarissa's wish for his reformation.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Miss Howe defends her right to choose when and whom to marry, asserting her independence against societal and familial pressure.
Friendship and Loyalty
Miss Howe's devotion to Clarissa's memory and her will, and her admonition to Belford to honor Clarissa's wish for his reformation.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Miss Howe resists her mother's pressure to marry Mr. Hickman, reflecting the tension between familial duty and personal desire.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Belford, defending her delay in executing Clarissa's will and expressing her reluctance to marry.
- John Belford
Addressed by Miss Howe as the executor of Clarissa's will; she admonishes him regarding his own reformation.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Her posthumous wishes and will are central to the letter; Miss Howe reflects on her guidance and loss.
- Mr. Hickman
Mentioned as Miss Howe's suitor; she discusses her hesitation to marry him due to her independent nature.
- Colonel Morden
Referenced as a severe censurer of Miss Howe's conduct and as a co-executor of Clarissa's will.
Key passages
“I have, I own, disobeyed her in one article; and that is, where she desires I would not put myself into mourning. I could not help it.”
I admit I went against her wish that I not wear mourning clothes, but I felt compelled to do so.
Miss Howe acknowledges her disobedience to Clarissa's will regarding mourning attire.
“I am haughty, uncontrollable, and violent in my temper; this, I say; 'Impatient of contradiction,' was my beloved's charge.”
I confess to being proud, stubborn, and quick-tempered, just as my dear friend accused me.
Miss Howe admits to the character flaws Clarissa pointed out in her.
“Well do your sex contrive to bring us up fools and idiots, in order to make us bear the yoke you lay upon our shoulders.”
Men deliberately raise women to be ignorant and submissive so we will accept the burdens you place on us.
Miss Howe criticizes the societal conditioning of women to accept male dominance.