Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 19: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa responds to Anna's letter, defending her decision to relinquish control of her estate and reflecting on her family's pressures.
What happens
Clarissa responds to Anna's letter, defending her decision to relinquish control of her estate and reflecting on her family's pressures. She firmly rejects the prospect of marrying Mr. Solmes, asserting her moral duty to resist her brother's ambitions. She anticipates a difficult conference with her mother and expresses dread over the conflicts ahead.
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
Clarissa asserts her moral right to refuse Solmes, grounding her resistance in duty and self-examination.
- Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa struggles between her duty to her family and her conviction to reject an unwanted marriage.
- Power and Manipulation
Clarissa's brother manipulates family dynamics to advance his own ambitions, using Solmes as a tool.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Writes to Anna, defending her past actions and asserting her refusal to marry Solmes.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of Clarissa's letter; her previous advice is discussed and challenged.
- Arabella Harlowe
Clarissa comments on Arabella's hidden feelings for Lovelace and her anger.
- Mrs. Harlowe
Clarissa's mother, who is distressed by the family conflict and plans a private talk with Clarissa.
- Mr. Solmes
The suitor Clarissa refuses to marry, citing moral and personal objections.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Clarissa's brother, whose ambition drives the push for her marriage to Solmes.
Key passages
“I to have that Mr. Solmes!—No indeed!—I will sooner—”
Clarissa vehemently rejects the idea of marrying Mr. Solmes, implying she would rather suffer any alternative.
Clarissa's emphatic refusal sets the tone for her resistance.
“If we suffer by an act of duty, or even by an act of generosity, is it not pleasurable on reflection, that the fault is in others, rather than in ourselves?”
Clarissa finds comfort in knowing that if she suffers for doing right, the blame lies with others, not with her.
Reflects Clarissa's moral reasoning and her prioritization of integrity over worldly wisdom.
“I have something in me of my father's family, as well as of my mother's.”
Clarissa acknowledges that she possesses a stubborn streak inherited from her father's side, not just her mother's meekness.
Clarissa hints at her capacity for firm resistance, despite her usual compliance.
