Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 89: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa responds to Anna's critical letter, defending her own conduct and explaining her decision to revoke her appointment with Lovelace.
What happens
Clarissa responds to Anna's critical letter, defending her own conduct and explaining her decision to revoke her appointment with Lovelace. She resolves to face her family's pressure to marry Solmes, hoping to sway them through prayers and appeals, rather than elope. She prioritizes self-acquittal and seeks to avoid rash actions, trusting in her own conscience.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa asserts her right to revoke a promise and choose her own path, emphasizing self-acquittal over external judgment.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa struggles between duty to her family and her refusal to marry Solmes, planning to plead with them rather than elope.
Friendship and Loyalty
Clarissa values Anna's candid friendship but gently defends her own motives, highlighting the depth of their bond.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Defends her motives and resolves to revoke her appointment with Lovelace, preferring to face her family's trials.
- Anna Howe
Praised for her ardent friendship but gently corrected for imputing latent inclination to Clarissa.
- Mrs. Norton
Mentioned as Clarissa's good mentor who taught her that affliction is the best school.
- Mr. Solmes
Referenced in Clarissa's critique of his 'pitiful plea' and as the suitor her family presses upon her.
- Robert Lovelace
Clarissa plans to send a letter of revocation to him, testing his promised temper.
- Colonel Morden
Mentioned as a preferable protector over Lovelace should Clarissa be forced to leave home.
Key passages
“Do not think, my beloved friend, although you have given me in yours of yesterday a severer instance of what, nevertheless, I must call your impartial love, than ever yet I received from you, that I would be displeased with you for it.”
Don't think I'm upset with you for your harsh but honest letter; I value your impartial friendship.
Clarissa reassures Anna that she welcomes criticism from a true friend.
“My heart, in short, misgives me less, when I resolve this way, than when I think of the other: and in so strong and involuntary a bias, the heart is, as I may say, conscience.”
My conscience feels more at peace when I choose to face my family than when I think of eloping with Lovelace.
Clarissa trusts her inner conviction over external pressures.
“I resolve then, upon the whole, to stand this one trial of Wednesday next—or, perhaps, I should rather say, of Tuesday evening, if my father hold his purpose of endeavouring, in person, to make me read, or hear read, and then sign, the settlements.”
I've decided to face the upcoming confrontation with my father about signing the marriage settlements, rather than run away.
Clarissa commits to enduring her family's pressure rather than eloping.