Clarissa · Character

Antony Harlowe

Clarissa's coarse, grasping uncle, a man whose greed and bluster make him a willing enforcer of the family's scheme to marry her to Solmes.

supporting

Also known as Antony Harlowe, Mr. Antony Harlowe, Tony, uncle Antony

First appearance: clarissa

As a supporting figure in Clarissa, Antony Harlowe is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Clarissa's uncle; has represented the duel to Mrs.

In the storyLetter 1: Miss Anna Howe, to Miss Clarissa HarloweOpen this moment free

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Antony Harlowe is one of the uncles who sits in judgment at Clarissa's grim homecoming, his harshness matching the family's determination to bend her will. Where his brother John is merely weak, Antony is actively mercenary, valuing the Solmes alliance and the family's reputation over his niece's happiness. He matters because his blunt, unyielding presence represents the patriarchal and financial forces that leave Clarissa with no honourable exit but the one she dreads.

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Character Web

29 connections

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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…

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In the story

Antony Harlowe appears across 27 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Letter 1: Miss Anna Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Clarissa's uncle; has represented the duel to Mrs. Howe as a crime for a sister to encourage a man who shed her brother's blood.
Letter 2: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Uncle who, with Lord M., arranged Lovelace's introduction to the family as a suitor to Arabella.
Letter 6: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Uncle who comments that Lovelace's visits are better elsewhere than at Harlowe Place.
Letter 10: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Anna observes his frequent visits to her mother and suspects a romantic interest between them.
Letter 18: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Mentioned as the host where Mr. John Harlowe plans to dine.
Letter 50: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Clarissa's uncle; his house is the destination for her confinement, described as a moated house with a chapel.
Letter 52: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Mentioned as exulting over the letter and as the uncle to whose estate Clarissa is to be removed.
Letter 54: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Mentioned as the uncle who will receive Clarissa at his house.
Letter 73: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Clarissa fears his impetuous nature and his presence at the upcoming conference.
Letter 78: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Uncle who scolds Clarissa and defends the family's position against her.
Letter 87: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Visits Mrs. Howe daily, pressuring her to support the family's plans for Clarissa.
Letter 100: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Visits Mrs. Howe to turn her against Clarissa, contributing to the family's harsh stance.
Letter 105: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Mentioned as an agent influencing Mrs. Howe against Clarissa.
Letter 113: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Named alongside James as a principal who employed Leman against Lovelace.
Letter 128: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as spreading vile rumors about Clarissa and influencing Anna's mother.
Letter 147: To Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Renounces Clarissa forever.
Letter 183: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Revealed to be considering marriage to Mrs. Howe, which Anna finds troubling.
Letter 197: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Proposes marriage to Mrs. Howe; his letter is quoted and mocked by Anna.
Letter 304: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Hodges Enfield
Mentioned as likely present at the family gathering at Mr. John Harlowe's.
Letter 357: Mrs. Howe
Mentioned as having spoken with Mrs. Howe about forbidding Anna's correspondence.
Letter 406: Mr. Antony Harlowe, to Miss Cl. Harlowe
Writes the letter, expressing anger and disappointment, and quoting scripture to condemn Clarissa's actions.
Letter 407: Miss Cl. Harlowe, to Antony Harlowe, Esq.
Recipient of the letter; Clarissa apologizes to him and addresses his harsh reproaches.
Letter 409: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Norton
Sent a very severe letter to Clarissa, contributing to her distress.
Letter 431: Mrs. Norton, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as the source of a cruel letter to Clarissa, contributing to the family's severity.
Letter 436: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Sent a severe letter to Clarissa.
Letter 447: Colonel Morden, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Morden directs Clarissa to send her reply to his address at Antony's house.
Letter 485: To His Dear Niece, Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as joining Uncle John in sending tender assurances to Clarissa.

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See Antony Harlowe in Letter 1: Miss Anna Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe