Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 58: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Miss Howe relays a conversation with her mother about the nature of love versus duty in marriage, using Clarissa's situation as a case study.
What happens
Miss Howe relays a conversation with her mother about the nature of love versus duty in marriage, using Clarissa's situation as a case study. Mrs. Howe argues that marriages based on love often fail, while those based on convenience and duty bring lasting satisfaction. Miss Howe counters that Clarissa's family's harsh treatment may drive her to desperate measures, and reads a letter Clarissa wrote personifying an elderly advisor, which advocates for gentle reasoning with young people. The discussion touches on Lovelace's character and the double standards of Clarissa's family.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Mrs. Howe argues that a young woman should give up her inclinations to oblige her friends, while Miss Howe suggests that harsh treatment may drive a child to desperate measures.
Libertinism and Morality
Lovelace's moral character is debated; his libertine reputation and past vows of revenge against women are contrasted with his denial of such intentions.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Mrs. Howe describes love as a passion based on 'notional excellencies' that fade after marriage, revealing the true defects of each partner.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Clarissa recounting a debate with her mother about marriage, love, and duty.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Subject of the conversation; her letter personifying an elderly advisor is read and praised by Mrs. Howe.
- Mrs. Howe
Argues that marriage based on convenience and duty is more stable than love matches; criticizes Lovelace's morals.
- Robert Lovelace
Discussed as a man of questionable morals, though his past ill-treatment by a first love is noted as a possible excuse.
- Mr. Hickman
Mentioned as Mrs. Howe's favored suitor for Anna, though Anna dislikes him.
- Mr. Wyerley
Referenced as a former suitor who plagued Clarissa with attention.
Key passages
“What is there in it, says she, that all this bustle is about? Is it such a mighty matter for a young woman to give up her inclinations to oblige her friends?”
Mrs. Howe questions why it is such a big deal for a young woman to sacrifice her own desires to please her family.
Mrs. Howe minimizes the emotional weight of Clarissa's dilemma, reflecting a generational divide.
“The lovers imaginaries (her own notable word!) are by that time gone off; nature and old habits (painfully dispensed with or concealed) return: disguises thrown aside, all the moles, freckles, and defects in the minds of each discover themselves”
After marriage, the idealized images lovers have of each other fade, and their true natures and flaws become apparent.
Mrs. Howe uses vivid imagery to argue that romantic love is based on illusion.
“the tenderest and most generous minds, when harshly treated, become generally the most inflexible.”
Gentle and noble people often become stubborn when they are treated harshly.
From Clarissa's letter, this warns against using severity with young people.