Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 83: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa reveals that her family, having received intelligence of Lovelace's violent intentions, has changed their plan: instead of sending her to her uncle's, they intend to force her to marry Solmes on Wednesday.
What happens
Clarissa reveals that her family, having received intelligence of Lovelace's violent intentions, has changed their plan: instead of sending her to her uncle's, they intend to force her to marry Solmes on Wednesday. Her aunt Hervey delivers the ultimatum, offering a week's reprieve only if Clarissa promises not to write and to marry Solmes afterward. Overhearing her brother and sister gloating over the scheme, Clarissa's despair turns to defiance, and she writes to Lovelace proposing to escape to his aunts' protection.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa's desperate act of writing to Lovelace to arrange an escape represents her struggle to assert agency against her family's coercion, while still trying to preserve her virtue by insisting on the protection of Lovelace's aunts.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa is torn between her duty to obey her parents and her refusal to marry Solmes; her overhearing of James and Arabella's scheming pushes her toward open rebellion.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
The family's apparent concession (not sending her to her uncle's) is revealed as a trick to force the marriage; James and Arabella's private exultation contrasts with their public posture of concern.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Describes her frantic state upon learning of the forced marriage, her overhearing of her brother and sister's triumph, and her desperate decision to write to Lovelace.
- Anna Howe
The recipient of the letter; Clarissa appeals to her for understanding and judgment of her actions.
- Arabella Harlowe
Exulting with James over the success of their scheme to force Clarissa into marriage.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Gloats with Arabella about the plot to trap Clarissa, saying 'The villain is caught in his own trap!'
- Mrs. Hervey
Aunt Hervey delivers the family's ultimatum, urges obedience, and tries to persuade Clarissa to read the marriage settlements.
- Robert Lovelace
His insolent resolution to prevent Clarissa's removal to her uncle's has backfired, prompting the family to accelerate the forced marriage; Clarissa writes to him proposing to escape.
Key passages
“I have done, as far as I know, the most rash thing that ever I did in my life.”
Clarissa admits that she has taken a desperate step, perhaps the most reckless she has ever taken.
Reflects her awareness of the gravity of writing to Lovelace to arrange an escape.
“The very intelligence, my dear!—the very intelligence this, which Lovelace gave me!”
The news that her family plans to force her to marry Solmes on Wednesday is exactly what Lovelace had warned her about.
Highlights the irony that Lovelace's warning has come true, though his own actions contributed to the crisis.
“This works charmingly, my dear Arabella! It does! It does! said she, in an exulting accent. Let us keep it up, said my brother.”
James and Arabella congratulate each other on the success of their scheme to trap Clarissa into marriage.
Reveals the malicious manipulation behind the family's apparent severity.