Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 183: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa with mixed feelings about Lovelace, acknowledging his past wickedness but noting recent good behavior and urging Clarissa to consider marrying him.
What happens
Anna Howe writes to Clarissa with mixed feelings about Lovelace, acknowledging his past wickedness but noting recent good behavior and urging Clarissa to consider marrying him. She advises Clarissa to assert her independence and claim her own estate. Anna also reveals that Clarissa's uncle Antony is considering marrying Mrs. Howe, which distresses her.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Clarissa, desp…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Female Agency and Virtue
Anna urges Clarissa to assert her rights and claim her own estate, emphasizing female independence.
- Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa's family's refusal to support her and Anna's defiance of her mother's potential remarriage illustrate familial tensions.
- Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Anna grapples with Lovelace's deceptive past versus his recent good behavior, questioning what is true.
Characters to notice
- Anna Howe
Writes to Clarissa with advice and concern, balancing criticism of Lovelace with pragmatic counsel.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Recipient of the letter; Anna advises her on marriage and independence.
- Robert Lovelace
Discussed at length; Anna notes his past vileness but recent good behavior and urges Clarissa to secure marriage.
- Antony Harlowe
Revealed to be considering marriage to Mrs. Howe, which Anna finds troubling.
- Mrs. Howe
Anna's mother; Antony Harlowe is reportedly disposed to marry her, causing Anna concern.
Key passages
“How it is now, my dear, between you and Mr. Lovelace, I cannot tell. But, wicked as the man is, I am afraid he must be your lord and master.”
I don't know the current state of your relationship with Mr. Lovelace, but despite his wickedness, I fear you may have to accept him as your husband.
Anna expresses uncertainty and resignation about Clarissa's situation with Lovelace.
“Support yourself, meantime, with reflections worthy of yourself. Though tricked into this man's power, you are not meanly subjugated to it.”
In the meantime, maintain your dignity. Even though you were deceived into his control, you are not humbly enslaved to it.
Anna encourages Clarissa to retain her self-respect despite her circumstances.
