# Mr. John Harlowe — Clarissa character guide > Mr. John Harlowe in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. John Harlowe, uncle John, John Harlowe **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Snapshot Clarissa's uncle, a man whose mild goodwill toward his niece proves too weak to withstand the family's united front against her. ## Who they are John Harlowe is one of the two uncles present at the cold, formal reception that greets Clarissa on her return from Miss Howe's, where the family's displeasure is staged as a tribunal. Though less harsh than his brother Antony, he offers no real protection, his kindness dissolving before the brother's accusations and the father's authority. He matters as an example of the well-meaning relative whose inaction helps seal Clarissa's fate, showing that passive sympathy is no match for active family pressure. ## In the story ### [Letter 3: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-3-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Uncle who approves of Lovelace's address to Clarissa, referring to Arabella's consent. ### [Letter 4: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-4-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) One of Clarissa's uncles who, along with Antony, insults Lovelace during his visit. ### [Letter 6: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-6-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) As Clarissa's father, he grants permission for the visit but commands her not to see Lovelace. ### [Letter 7: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-7-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Expresses hope that Clarissa will obey her father's will. ### [Letter 8: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-8-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa's father who sternly commands obedience and refuses to hear her pleas. ### [Letter 18: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-18-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Mentioned as dining out at brother Antony's; Clarissa notes her father's impatience and his conditional permission for her to appear at breakfast. ### [Letter 25: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-25-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Sends an angry, dismissive reply to Clarissa's plea, banishing her from his presence. ### [Letter 32: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-32-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Uncle to Clarissa; responds harshly, accusing her of prepossession for Lovelace and defending the family's authority and Solmes's character. ### [Letter 41: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-41-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Sends a stern ultimatum to Clarissa, threatening disownment and a forced private marriage to Solmes. ### [Letter 47: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-47-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Mentioned as part of the family's oppressive dynamic, though not directly addressed. ### [Letter 59: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-59-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa writes to him as a last resort, enclosing her rejected letters to her parents. ### [Letter 60: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-60-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Sends a tender letter to Clarissa, urging her to obey the family and marry Solmes. ### [Letter 61: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-61-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa's uncle, who had shown some returning tenderness but is now reportedly ashamed of being 'taken in' by her proposal. Clarissa writes to him directly, imploring a personal answer. ### [Letter 62: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-62-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Sends a stern letter rebuking Clarissa for her defiance and informing her of the plan to send her to her uncle Antony's house on Thursday. ### [Letter 63: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-63-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Uncle John writes a letter demanding Clarissa's compliance and warns her to make discreet use of her pen and ink. ### [Letter 75: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-75-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Visits Clarissa in her apartment, speaks kindly but avoids the subject of Solmes, calling her 'charming creature.' ### [Letter 144: Mrs. Hervey, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-144-mrs-hervey-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Clarissa's father; described as being 'like a distracted man' upon hearing of her flight, uttering dreadful imprecations. ### [Letter 147: To Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-147-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Renounces Clarissa forever. ### [Letter 151: From Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-151-from-miss-howe) Mentioned as a potential ally; Clarissa hopes to apply to him for reconciliation. ### [Letter 176: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-176-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa's uncle, to whom she wishes to apply for hope of reconciliation. ### [Letter 214: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-214-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as the uncle who sent Captain Tomlinson to negotiate reconciliation. ### [Letter 217: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-217-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Allegedly sending Captain Tomlinson to negotiate reconciliation, though this is a fabrication. ### [Letter 221: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-221-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Proposes that Lovelace and Clarissa marry privately and pretend they have been married since Hickman's application. ### [Letter 233: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-233-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Expresses desire for reconciliation with Clarissa and impatience for the marriage, but is constrained by his nephew James's opposition. ### [Letter 290: To Captain Tomlinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-290-to-captain-tomlinson) Mentioned as the friend of Captain Tomlinson who expects to be obliged by the marriage. ### [Letter 304: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Hodges Enfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-304-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-mrs-hodges-enfield) His home is the location of the family gathering Clarissa mentions. ### [Letter 376: Mrs. Harlowe, to Mrs. Judith Norton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-376-mrs-harlowe-to-mrs-judith-norton) Mentioned as having withdrawn the curse at Clarissa's request, but still unforgiving; his gout is a concern. ### [Letter 402: Mr. John Harlowe, to Miss Cl. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-402-mr-john-harlowe-to-miss-cl-harlowe) Author of the letter; expresses familial anguish and demands answers about possible pregnancy. ### [Letter 403: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to John Harlowe, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-403-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-john-harlowe-esq) Addressed as 'Honoured Sir'; Clarissa references his upbraiding pen and cruel question. ### [Letter 406: Mr. Antony Harlowe, to Miss Cl. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-406-mr-antony-harlowe-to-miss-cl-harlowe) Referred to as 'Brother John' who asked a plain question that hurt Clarissa's 'niceness'; Clarissa's trustee who will not let her be destitute. ### [Letter 444: Mr. Brand, to John Harlowe, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-444-mr-brand-to-john-harlowe-esq) The recipient of Brand's letter; Brand addresses him as patron and reports his findings. ### [Letter 461: Dr. H. to James Harlowe, Senior, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-461-dr-h-to-james-harlowe-senior-esq) Dr. H. addresses James Harlowe Sr., urging him to send a blessing to Clarissa. ### [Letter 468: Mr. Brand, to Mr. John Walton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-468-mr-brand-to-mr-john-walton) Mr. Brand has written an apologetic letter to his patron Mr. John Harlowe to reconcile with Clarissa. ### [Letter 469: Mr. Brand, to John Harlowe, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-469-mr-brand-to-john-harlowe-esq) The recipient of Mr. Brand's letter; urged to send Brand as a messenger of peace to Clarissa. ### [Letter 483: Mrs. Norton, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-483-mrs-norton-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Uncle Harlowe will write to Clarissa in kind terms, as the family is alarmed by her dangerous condition. ### [Letter 485: To His Dear Niece, Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-485-to-his-dear-niece-miss-clarissa-harlowe) The writer, Clarissa's uncle and 'second papa,' expressing familial love and regret. ### [Letter 488: To the Ever-Honoured Jas. Harlowe, Sen. Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-488-to-the-ever-honoured-jas-harlowe-sen-esq) The recipient of the letter, Clarissa's father, whom she begs to forgive her and remember her with kindness. ### [Letter 489: To the Ever-Honoured Mrs. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-489-to-the-ever-honoured-mrs-harlowe) Mentioned as 'my papa' to whom Clarissa has also written seeking pardon. ### [Letter 500: Colonel Morden, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-500-colonel-morden-to-john-belford-esq) Present among the mourners, visibly affected and weeping. ### [Letter 503: Colonel Morden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-503-colonel-morden) The father is unable to bear seeing Clarissa's coffin and laments his hard-heartedness. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/conclusion) Survives his wife by half a year; his remorse hastens his death, but he dies hoping to be restored to Clarissa. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mr_john_harlowe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters