# Letter 86: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe detailing her decision to leave her family home with Lovelace's assistance on Monday next. She outlines the terms of her departure, including her insistence on privacy, her refusal to litigate for her estate, and her conditions for Lovelace's conduct. She expresses deep regret and anxiety about the step, noting Solmes's presence and her family's watchfulness, while describing the practical arrangements for the escape.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her agency by choosing to leave, but frames it as a forced necessity, striving to preserve her virtue and reputation.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa rebels against her family's insistence on Solmes, yet seeks reconciliation and refuses to litigate against her father.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Clarissa plans a secret escape while maintaining appearances, and Lovelace uses disguises to avoid detection.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes to Miss Howe, confirming her resolution to leave home and detailing the terms of her departure with Lovelace.

### Anna Howe

Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa seeks her prayers and approval or censure.

### Robert Lovelace

Clarissa deposits a letter for him outlining her conditions for the escape and future conduct.

### Mr. Solmes

Present at the Harlowe house, dining with his 'new relations'; Clarissa avoids him.

### James Harlowe Jr.

Mentioned as having said 'cold is a bracer' regarding the Ivy Summerhouse.

### Betty Barnes

Mentioned as a servant Clarissa plans to send on an errand; also reports Solmes's presence.

## Key lines

> I have no way to avoid the determined resolution of my friends in behalf of Mr. Solmes, but by abandoning this house by his assistance.

The only way I can escape my family's insistence on Solmes is to leave this house with Lovelace's help.

_Clarissa states her rationale for seeking Lovelace's aid._

> Could I, without an unpardonable sin, die when I would, I would sooner make death my choice, than take a step, which all the world, if not my own heart, would condemn me for taking.

If I could choose death without committing a sin, I would rather die than take this action that the world and my own conscience would condemn.

_Clarissa expresses her deep reluctance and moral anguish._

> I must expect to be denied the possession of my estate: but that I am determined never to consent to a litigation with my father, were I to be reduced to ever so low a state.

I know I will likely lose my inheritance, but I will never sue my father, no matter how poor I become.

_Clarissa renounces legal action against her father._

> I think it best to go into a private lodging in the neighbourhood of Lady Betty Lawrance; and not to her ladyship’s house; that it may not appear to the world that I have refuged myself in his family.

I prefer to stay in a private lodging near Lady Betty rather than at her house, to avoid the appearance of living with Lovelace's family.

_Clarissa prioritizes her reputation and the possibility of reconciliation._

> If, in this treaty, my friends insist upon my resolving against marrying him, I will engage to comply with them; provided they will allow me to promise him, that I will never be the wife of any other man while he remains single, or is living.

If my family demands that I never marry Lovelace, I will agree, as long as I can promise him that I will never marry anyone else while he is alive and unmarried.

_Clarissa offers a conditional compromise to her family._

## Links

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