Clarissa · Character

Hannah Burton

Clarissa's faithful maid, dismissed from the Harlowe house for her loyalty to a daughter the family has decided to punish.

supporting

Also known as Hannah, Hanna, Hannah Burton

First appearance: clarissa

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

Assists Clarissa after she faints from the shock of her mother's command.

In the storyLetter 16: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss HoweOpen this moment free

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Hannah Burton serves Clarissa closely enough to be trusted with her letters and her confidence, and is turned out of the household for it. Her dismissal is one of the early signs that Clarissa's punishment will extend to anyone who shows her kindness, and that the family's anger is not merely private but systematic. Her absence leaves Clarissa more isolated, and makes the reader feel the cost of loyalty in a house where obedience to the family line is the only safe position.

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Character Web

23 connections

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Major characters and antagonists

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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

Hannah Burton appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Letter 16: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Assists Clarissa after she faints from the shock of her mother's command.
Letter 18: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Assists Clarissa after the interview, bringing salts and spring-water to prevent fainting.
Letter 21: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Mentioned as Clarissa's loyal servant who is shunned by the family; she is accused of listening and making mischief.
Letter 23: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Disgracefully discharged from Clarissa's service after being searched for letters.
Letter 24: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Referenced as 'sly Hannah,' whose discharge is linked to the forbidden correspondence with Lovelace.
Letter 116: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Lovelace suggests sending for Hannah to attend Clarissa once she is settled; Clarissa had already thought of doing so.
Letter 118: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Clarissa's former maid; Lovelace notes she is ill with a rheumatic disorder, preventing her from attending Clarissa, which he secretly welcomes.
Letter 121: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Clarissa plans to send for her through Anna Howe, offering to pay a month's wages to release her from her place.
Letter 125: Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Clarissa hopes Anna will send Hannah to serve her, but worries about obstacles.
Letter 128: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Unable to attend Clarissa due to illness; Anna offers her own servant Kitty instead.
Letter 129: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Clarissa's worthy servant, who is ill and cannot come to her; Clarissa sends two guineas for her.
Letter 130: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Ill servant; Clarissa sends her five guineas from Lovelace.
Letter 218: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Clarissa expresses her desire to have Hannah as her servant, whether recovered or not.
Letter 298: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Hannah Burton
Former servant of Clarissa, whom Clarissa hopes to have come stay with her.
Letter 299: Hannah Burton
Writes to Clarissa expressing sorrow and loyalty, but is unable to come to her aid due to illness.
Letter 300: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Judith Norton
Clarissa has written to her to come and be with her; asks Mrs. Norton to encourage her.
Letter 301: Mrs. Norton
Reported to have left her place ill and is still at her mother's in St. Albans.

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See Hannah Burton in clarissa

See Hannah Burton in Letter 16: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe