Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 8: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe about the escalating pressure from her family to marry Mr.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe about the escalating pressure from her family to marry Mr. Solmes. She describes how her brother and sister manipulate her parents, her father's stern command for obedience, and the prohibition on her correspondence with Anna. Clarissa feels trapped and distressed by the family's determination.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa struggles between her duty to obey her father and her refusal to marry Solmes, highlighting the tension between familial obligation and personal will.
Power and Manipulation
James and Arabella manipulate their parents and use authority to pressure Clarissa, while her father exercises absolute power over her.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Clarissa's family pretends to act out of love while enforcing their will; Solmes courts the family rather than Clarissa, masking his true intentions.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Narrates her distress over the family's pressure to marry Solmes, her father's harsh treatment, and the prohibition on her correspondence.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa appeals to her for support and spirit.
- Mr. Solmes
The suitor favored by Clarissa's family; Clarissa finds him illiterate and unappealing.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Clarissa's brother who enforces the family's will, delivers the prohibition on correspondence, and treats Clarissa with scorn.
- Arabella Harlowe
Clarissa's sister who delivers harsh messages and accuses Clarissa of witchcraft.
- Mr. John Harlowe
Clarissa's father who sternly commands obedience and refuses to hear her pleas.
Key passages
“They drive on here at a furious rate. The man lives here, I think. He courts them, and is more and more a favourite.”
The family is pushing forward aggressively with Solmes, who seems to be always present and is winning over my relatives.
Clarissa describes the family's relentless campaign to promote Solmes.
“I have already stood the shock of three of this man’s particular visits, besides my share in his more general ones; and find it is impossible I should ever endure him.”
I have endured three private visits from Solmes, plus several group encounters, and I am certain I can never tolerate him.
Clarissa expresses her firm aversion to Solmes.
“My father and mother industriously avoid giving me opportunity of speaking to them alone. They ask not for my approbation, intended, as it should seem, to suppose me into their will.”
My parents deliberately avoid private conversations with me and never seek my consent, as if they assume I will simply comply.
Clarissa notes her parents' strategy of avoiding direct discussion.
“I am even loth to mention how equally unjust it is for him to make such offers, or for those I am bound to reverence to accept of them.”
I hesitate to say how unfair it is that Solmes makes these proposals and that my respected family accepts them.
Clarissa criticizes the injustice of the situation.
“Clarissa Harlowe, said he, know that I will be obeyed.”
My father declared that I must obey him without question.
Clarissa's father asserts his absolute authority.
