# Letter 87: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Anna Howe writes to Clarissa, expressing frustration over her mother's interference and the family's pressure on Clarissa to marry Solmes. She urges Clarissa to consider eloping with her instead of Lovelace, and if she must go with Lovelace, to marry him immediately to protect her reputation. Anna defends her offer of assistance and critiques Clarissa's punctiliousness in her dire situation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Anna urges Clarissa to take control of her situation, either by eloping with a friend or marrying quickly to preserve her virtue.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Anna's passionate offer to accompany Clarissa and her defense of their friendship highlight deep loyalty.

### Class and Social Reputation

Anna emphasizes the need to protect Clarissa's reputation in the eyes of the world, especially if she goes with Lovelace.

## Character check-ins

### Anna Howe

Writes urgently to Clarissa, offering to help her escape and advising on marriage.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Recipient of the letter; Anna addresses her critical situation and scruples.

### Antony Harlowe

Visits Mrs. Howe daily, pressuring her to support the family's plans for Clarissa.

### Mrs. Howe

Anna's mother, who is suspicious and influenced by Antony Harlowe, causing tension.

### Robert Lovelace

Mentioned as the potential escort for Clarissa's escape; Anna advises caution regarding his character.

### Mr. Hickman

Anna's suitor; she speculates he would accept her even if she helped Clarissa elope.

## Key lines

> A woman going away with a woman is not so discreditable a thing, surely! and with no view, but to avoid the fellows !

Anna argues that eloping with another woman is far less scandalous than going with a man, especially since the goal is simply to escape unwanted suitors.

_Anna tries to persuade Clarissa to accept her help instead of Lovelace's._

> Punctilio is out of doors the moment you are out of your father’s house.

Anna insists that once Clarissa leaves home, strict adherence to propriety becomes irrelevant.

_Anna urges Clarissa to prioritize practical safety over formal scruples._

> If the thing requested be of greater consequence, or even of equal , to the person sought to, and it were, as the old phrase has it, to take a thorn out of one’s friend’s foot to put in into one’s own , something might be said.

Anna explains that a true friend should be willing to bear a lesser inconvenience to relieve a greater one for a friend.

_Anna defends her offer to help, arguing that the risk to her own reputation is minor compared to Clarissa's danger._

## Links

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