# Letter 55: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa > Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. ## What happens In a calmer midnight moment, Clarissa reflects on Anna's letters, defending Mr. Hickman's character and gently chiding Anna for her harsh portrayal of him. She then addresses the proposal to assume her estate, explaining the practical and moral obstacles—her uncle's opposition, her cousin's absence, the legal complexities, and her principled refusal to litigate against her father. Clarissa also expresses displeasure with Lovelace's threatening behavior toward her brother and Solmes, and she reproaches Anna for her severe reflections on her family. She concludes by urgently seeking Anna's advice on how to avoid being sent to her uncle Antony's house. ## Themes in this chapter ### Female Agency and Virtue Clarissa grapples with the limits of her agency, refusing to litigate against her father despite pressure to assume her estate, and asserting her moral principles over practical advantage. ### Family Obligation and Rebellion Clarissa struggles between filial duty and resistance to her family's coercive plans, particularly the threat of being sent to her uncle Antony's. ### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality Clarissa suspects Lovelace's offers of assistance may be insincere, designed to win favor while masking his true intentions. ## Character check-ins ### Clarissa Harlowe Writes in a calmer state, defending Mr. Hickman, analyzing the impossibility of assuming her estate, and criticizing Lovelace's threats. ### Anna Howe Clarissa responds to Anna's letters, gently rebuking her for her harsh portrayal of Mr. Hickman and for severe reflections on Clarissa's family. ### Mr. Hickman Defended by Clarissa as a humble, gentle man well-suited for Anna's vivacity; contrasted favorably with Mr. Solmes. ### Robert Lovelace Clarissa questions his motives for supporting the assumption scheme and condemns his threatening behavior toward her brother and Mr. Solmes. ### James Harlowe Jr. Mentioned as having ascendancy over the family and as the target of Lovelace's threats; Clarissa reproaches Anna for severe reflections on him. ### Mr. Solmes Clarissa notes that if he were like Mr. Hickman, her family would not have disagreed with her; she questions why Lovelace threatens him. ## Key lines > If Mr. Solmes were such a man as Mr. Hickman, in person, mind, and behaviour, my friends and I had never disagreed about him, if they would not have permitted me to live single; Mr. Lovelace (having such a character as he has) would have stood no chance with me. If Mr. Solmes were as good as Mr. Hickman, my family and I would never have argued, and I would not have considered Lovelace. _Clarissa contrasts Solmes unfavorably with Hickman, implying that a reasonable suitor would have prevented the family conflict._ > I would sooner beg my bread, than litigate for my right with my father: since I am convinced, that whether the parent do his duty by the child or not, the child cannot be excused from doing hers to him. I would rather beg than sue my father, because a child must always do her duty to her parent, regardless of the parent's behavior. _Clarissa articulates her principled refusal to take legal action against her father, prioritizing filial duty over property rights._ > To threaten as he threatens; yet to pretend, that it is not to intimidate me; and to beg of you not to tell me, when he must know you would, and no doubt intended that you should, is so meanly artful! Lovelace threatens me but pretends it's not to scare me, and asks you not to tell me, knowing you would—that's a cheap trick. _Clarissa exposes Lovelace's manipulative strategy, seeing through his pretense of concern._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-55-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters