Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 74: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe acknowledges receipt of Clarissa's parcel and discusses the traitor Joseph Leman's vigilance.
What happens
Anna Howe acknowledges receipt of Clarissa's parcel and discusses the traitor Joseph Leman's vigilance. She recounts reading Clarissa's letters to her mother, who is charmed by Clarissa's sentiments. Anna's conversation is interrupted by Mr. Hickman, whom she treats with playful disdain. She declines to open Clarissa's sealed parcels, trusting her conduct entirely, and playfully hints at Clarissa's internal struggle regarding Lovelace. Anna scolds Clarissa for overpaying her mother's servants, praising her generosity while critiquing her singular virtue.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Anna's unwavering support for Clarissa, her trust in Clarissa's conduct, and her praise of Clarissa's benevolence highlight the deep bond between the two friends.
Class and Social Reputation
Anna critiques Clarissa's excessive generosity to servants, noting how it reflects on her family and social standing, and discusses the propriety of actions within their class.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Clarissa, acknowledging receipt of parcels, recounting interactions with her mother and Mr. Hickman, and scolding Clarissa for excessive generosity.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Recipient of the letter; praised for her noble character and generosity, and playfully chided for her internal struggle regarding Lovelace.
- Mr. Hickman
Arrives during Anna's conversation with her mother; Anna treats him with playful disdain and uses him as a subject-changer.
- Joseph Leman
Mentioned as the traitor who spies on Clarissa; he speaks to Robin over the bank.
- Mrs. Howe
Anna's mother; charmed by Clarissa's letter and interposes in Anna's conversation with Mr. Hickman.
Key passages
“I cannot forgive your taking upon me (at so extravagant a rate too) to pay my mother’s servants. Indeed I am, and I will be, angry with you for it.”
Anna scolds Clarissa for paying her mother's servants too generously, insisting she is genuinely angry about it.
Anna expresses frustration at Clarissa's excessive generosity, which she sees as reflecting poorly on her own family.
“I read to my mother several passages of your letters. But your last paragraph, in your yesterday’s quite charmed her. You have won her heart by it, she told me.”
Anna shared parts of Clarissa's letters with her mother, who was especially delighted by the final paragraph and now holds Clarissa in high regard.
Clarissa's writing has favorably impressed Mrs. Howe, strengthening Anna's position to advocate for Clarissa.