Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 7: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe describing her abrupt return home and the hostile reception she received from her family.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe describing her abrupt return home and the hostile reception she received from her family. She reveals that her brother and sister have orchestrated a new suitor, the odious Mr. Solmes, whom everyone except Clarissa supports. She recounts the tense family confrontation, her defense regarding visits from Lovelace, and her dismay at being pressured to accept Solmes.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa's resistance to the forced match with Solmes highlights her struggle to assert her own will against familial pressure.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
The Harlowe family's insistence on obedience and Clarissa's internal conflict between duty and personal choice are central.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The family's pretense of affection and the mock respect shown to Clarissa mask their manipulative intentions.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Narrates her distress at being forced to consider Solmes as a suitor and recounts the family's pressure.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Leads the attack against Clarissa, accusing her of encouraging Lovelace and pushing for Solmes.
- Arabella Harlowe
Supports her brother with contemptuous remarks and joins in pressuring Clarissa.
- Mr. Solmes
Introduced as the proposed suitor; Clarissa finds him hideous and is disgusted by him.
- Mrs. Harlowe
Initially sympathetic but ultimately aligns with the family's demand for obedience.
- Mr. John Harlowe
Expresses hope that Clarissa will obey her father's will.
Key passages
“They have found out another lover for me; an hideous one!—Yet he is encouraged by everybody.”
My family has arranged a new suitor for me, a repulsive man, yet everyone supports him.
Clarissa expresses her horror at the proposal of Mr. Solmes.
“My brother met me at the door, and gave me his hand when I stepped out of the chariot. He bowed very low: pray, Miss, favour me.—I thought it in good humour; but found it afterwards mock respect.”
My brother greeted me with exaggerated politeness at the door, which I later realized was insincere.
Clarissa describes the deceptive courtesy she received upon returning home.
“I had never been used, I said, to deny the truth, nor would I now. I owned I had in the three weeks passed seen the person I presumed he meant oftener than five or six times.”
I stated that I always tell the truth and admitted to seeing Mr. Lovelace more than five or six times during my stay.
Clarissa defends herself by honestly acknowledging her meetings with Lovelace.