Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 85: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe about a letter from Lovelace full of vows and promises, proposing she escape to Lady Betty Lawrance's protection.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna Howe about a letter from Lovelace full of vows and promises, proposing she escape to Lady Betty Lawrance's protection. She is torn between the pressure from her family to marry Solmes and her fear of committing to Lovelace. She describes her worsening health and the family's plan to force her to sign marriage articles on Wednesday, with her father presiding. She resolves to postpone her appointment with Lovelace if possible, but feels trapped and without pity from her family.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa struggles to assert her own will against her family's demands and Lovelace's presumptions, seeking to preserve her virtue and autonomy.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa is torn between her duty to obey her father and her refusal to marry Solmes, leading to a crisis of rebellion against familial authority.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Anna Howe, distressed by Lovelace's presumptuous letter and her family's ultimatum to marry Solmes. She is physically ill and feels abandoned by her family.
- Robert Lovelace
Sends a letter full of transports, vows, and promises, proposing Clarissa escape to Lady Betty's protection. He presumes she is his and argues boldly about her reputation.
- Anna Howe
The recipient of Clarissa's letter, to whom Clarissa confides her fears and plans.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Cruelly remarks that cold cannot hurt Clarissa and that obstinacy will defend her, showing his hostility.
- Mrs. Harlowe
Mentioned as part of the family assembly that will pressure Clarissa to sign the marriage articles.
Key passages
“How one step brings on another with this encroaching sex; how soon a young creature, who gives a man the least encouragement, be carried beyond her intentions, and out of her own power!”
Clarissa reflects on how easily a woman can be led further than she intended once she shows a man any favor, losing control over her own decisions.
Clarissa's lament about the dangers of giving encouragement to men, highlighting her fear of being manipulated by Lovelace.
“I believe I am become the object of everyone’s aversion; and that they would all be glad if I were dead.”
Clarissa feels that her entire family now hates her and wishes she were dead.
Clarissa's despair at the complete loss of her family's affection, showing her emotional isolation.
“How shall I be able to refuse my father the writing of my name?—To my father, from whose presence I have been so long banished!—He commanding and entreating, perhaps, in a breath!”
Clarissa dreads the moment when her father will demand she sign the marriage settlements, as she cannot bear to defy him face to face.
Clarissa's internal conflict between filial duty and personal resistance, central to her dilemma.