# Letter 71: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna in a state of alarm after hearing rumors about Lovelace's involvement with a young, innocent girl in disguise. She condemns his behavior and expresses her determination to avoid him, refusing to open his letter until she learns more.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's disguise and the contrast between his dignified aspect and his suspected villainy.

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa's active rejection of Lovelace and her emphasis on modesty and virtue.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Expresses horror and indignation at Lovelace's suspected villainy, resolves to avoid him.

### Anna Howe

Urged by Clarissa to gather intelligence about Lovelace's activities.

### Robert Lovelace

Accused of villainous designs on a simple girl, suspected of being in disguise.

### Joseph Leman

Provided a hint to Betty about Lovelace's bad character.

### Betty Barnes

Relayed Leman's hint to Clarissa.

## Key lines

> You incense, alarm, and terrify me, at the same time.⁠—Hasten, my dearest friend, hasten to me what further intelligence you can gather about this vilest of men.

Your news both angers and frightens me; please quickly send me more information about this wicked man.

_Clarissa's urgent plea for more details about Lovelace._

> Would a girl, modest as simple, above seventeen, be set a-singing at the pleasure of such a man as that? a stranger, and professedly in disguise!

No truly modest girl over seventeen would sing at the command of a disguised stranger.

_Clarissa's reasoning about the girl's compromised virtue._

> I have not opened, nor will I open, his letter.⁠—A sycophant creature!

I have not and will not read his letter; he is a flattering sycophant.

_Clarissa's refusal to engage with Lovelace's correspondence._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters