# Letter 90: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Anna Howe on Sunday, April 9, describing her family's mistrust and surveillance. She has written to Lovelace to suspend their planned elopement, hoping for a peaceful resolution. She fears being forced to marry Solmes on Wednesday. Betty Barnes searches her belongings, and Clarissa learns that Mrs. Norton will be brought to persuade her. She receives a note from Dolly Hervey warning of a license for the wedding and a planned search for letters. Clarissa waits anxiously for Lovelace's response.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her refusal to marry Solmes and attempts to control her own destiny through correspondence and strategic delay.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa struggles between family duty and her personal resistance to the forced marriage, leading to secret plans and defiance.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes to Anna about her changed plans and fears of forced marriage to Solmes.

### Anna Howe

Recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa shares her anxieties and plans.

### Betty Barnes

Searches Clarissa's clothes and reports to the family; spreads rumors about the wedding.

### Dolly Hervey

Slips a warning note to Clarissa about the license and planned search for letters.

### Mrs. Norton

Expected to arrive Tuesday to persuade Clarissa to comply with the marriage.

## Key lines

> I have reasons of the greatest consequence to myself (and which, when known, must satisfy him) to suspend, for the present, my intention of leaving my father's house

Clarissa tells Lovelace she has important personal reasons to delay her escape from home.

_Clarissa's letter to Lovelace explaining her change of plan._

> I will die rather than consent to marry Mr. Solmes.

Clarissa vows she would rather die than agree to marry Solmes.

_Clarissa's firm resolve against the forced marriage._

> What can the man mean, I wonder!—Yet it shall lie; for if he has it any time before the appointed hour, it will save me declaring to him personally my changed purpose

Clarissa wonders why Lovelace hasn't collected her letter, but decides to leave it, avoiding a face-to-face explanation.

_Clarissa's frustration with Lovelace's inaction._

## Links

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