Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 71: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained
Clarissa writes to Anna in a state of alarm after hearing rumors about Lovelace's involvement with a young, innocent girl in disguise.
What happens
Clarissa writes to Anna in a state of alarm after hearing rumors about Lovelace's involvement with a young, innocent girl in disguise. She condemns his behavior and expresses her determination to avoid him, refusing to open his letter until she learns more.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- 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
- Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace's disguise and the contrast between his dignified aspect and his suspected villainy.
- Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa's active rejection of Lovelace and her emphasis on modesty and virtue.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Expresses horror and indignation at Lovelace's suspected villainy, resolves to avoid him.
- Anna Howe
Urged by Clarissa to gather intelligence about Lovelace's activities.
- Robert Lovelace
Accused of villainous designs on a simple girl, suspected of being in disguise.
- Joseph Leman
Provided a hint to Betty about Lovelace's bad character.
- Betty Barnes
Relayed Leman's hint to Clarissa.
Key passages
“You incense, alarm, and terrify me, at the same time.—Hasten, my dearest friend, hasten to me what further intelligence you can gather about this vilest of men.”
Your news both angers and frightens me; please quickly send me more information about this wicked man.
Clarissa's urgent plea for more details about Lovelace.
“Would a girl, modest as simple, above seventeen, be set a-singing at the pleasure of such a man as that? a stranger, and professedly in disguise!”
No truly modest girl over seventeen would sing at the command of a disguised stranger.
Clarissa's reasoning about the girl's compromised virtue.
“I have not opened, nor will I open, his letter.—A sycophant creature!”
I have not and will not read his letter; he is a flattering sycophant.
Clarissa's refusal to engage with Lovelace's correspondence.
