# Letter 81: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Anna Howe responds to Clarissa's letters detailing the interview with Solmes. She expresses outrage at the Harlowe family's treatment of Clarissa, praises her spirit, and offers advice on possible courses of action, including going to London or marrying Lovelace. Anna also reveals her failure to secure her mother's protection for Clarissa and proposes they elope together.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Anna encourages Clarissa to take decisive action, praising her spirit and advocating for her autonomy against familial coercion.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa's defiance of her family's wishes and Anna's rebellion against her mother's refusal to help highlight the tension between duty and personal choice.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Anna's unwavering support and willingness to risk her own comfort to protect Clarissa exemplifies deep friendship and loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Anna Howe

Writes to Clarissa with impatience and concern, offering advice and proposing to run away with her.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Subject of Anna's letter; praised for her spirit in the interview with Solmes.

### Mr. Solmes

Mentioned as the suitor Clarissa rejected; Anna criticizes his unworthiness.

### Robert Lovelace

Discussed as a potential husband; Anna notes his family's honor but warns of his dangerous companions.

### Mrs. Howe

Anna's mother who refuses to offer protection to Clarissa, arguing for filial duty.

### Colonel Morden

Mentioned as a relative whose arrival Clarissa should await before making decisions.

## Key lines

> How my heart rises at them all! How poorly did they design to trick you into an encouragement of Solmes, from the extorted interview!

Anna is furious at the Harlowe family's attempt to manipulate Clarissa into accepting Solmes through a forced meeting.

_Anna expresses indignation at the family's deceitful tactics._

> For your reputation sake therefore, as well as to prevent mischief, you must either live single, or have Lovelace.

To protect her reputation and avoid further trouble, Clarissa must choose between remaining unmarried or marrying Lovelace.

_Anna advises Clarissa on the limited options available to her._

> I protest I will go off privately with you, and we will live and die together.

Anna vows to secretly elope with Clarissa and share her fate.

_Anna offers extreme loyalty and companionship in the face of Clarissa's persecution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-81-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters