Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 59: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe, expressing apprehension after receiving a letter from Mr.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe, expressing apprehension after receiving a letter from Mr. Solmes requesting a private meeting under the pretense of revealing information about Lovelace. She refuses to see him, writing a sharp reply. Her family reacts with fury: her father tears up her letters, her mother refuses to see her, and she is ordered to go to her uncle Antony's house. Desperate, she writes to her uncle John Harlowe, enclosing the rejected letters, hoping for some intervention.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa struggles between her duty to obey her parents and her refusal to accept Mr. Solmes, leading to her being ordered out of the house and her letters being torn up.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Solmes's letter pretends to warn Clarissa about Lovelace's designs, but Clarissa sees it as a deceptive ploy to gain access to her.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Anna in distress, refuses Solmes's request for a meeting, and appeals to her uncle after being ordered to leave home.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa chides her for harsh comments about the Harlowe family and her treatment of Mr. Hickman.
- Mr. Solmes
Sends a letter to Clarissa requesting a meeting, claiming to have information about Lovelace's designs; Clarissa suspects it is a device to force her company.
- Mrs. Norton
Mentioned as having assisted Clarissa in writing the anonymous letter to Lady Drayton.
- Mr. John Harlowe
Clarissa writes to him as a last resort, enclosing her rejected letters to her parents.
Key passages
“I have no manner of doubt, that this is a poor device to get this man into my company.”
Clarissa is certain that Solmes's letter is just a trick to force a meeting with her.
Clarissa sees through Solmes's pretense of concern for her honor.
“My father was for coming up to me, in great wrath, it seems; but was persuaded to the contrary.”
Clarissa's father wanted to confront her angrily but was talked out of it.
The family's anger is escalating, but they are temporarily restrained.
“I beseech you, dear, good Sir, to let me know what is meant by sending me to my uncle Antony’s house, rather than to yours, or to my aunt Hervey’s, or elsewhere?”
Clarissa begs her uncle to explain why she is being sent to Antony Harlowe's house instead of another relative's.
Clarissa fears the purpose of her removal may be to force her into marriage with Solmes.