# Mrs. Howe — Clarissa character guide > Mrs. Howe in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Annabella Howe, Annabella **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Who they are Anna Howe's mother. ## In the story ### [Letter 27: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-27-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who mediates between Anna and Clarissa, expressing some sympathy but also traditional views. ### [Letter 46: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-46-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who is planning a visit to Mrs. Larking and is favorable toward Mr. Hickman, using him to prompt Anna's attention. ### [Letter 56: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-56-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who suggests that Clarissa's obedience would be praiseworthy if she overcomes her aversion, and speculates the Harlowes may eventually relent. ### [Letter 58: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-58-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Argues that marriage based on convenience and duty is more stable than love matches; criticizes Lovelace's morals. ### [Letter 65: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-65-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Forces Anna to accompany her to visit her dying cousin; favors Mr. Hickman. ### [Letter 66: Mr. Hickman, to Mrs. Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-66-mr-hickman-to-mrs-howe) Recipient of the letter; Mr. Hickman addresses her with respect and gratitude for her support. ### [Letter 67: Mrs. Howe, to Charles Hickman, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-67-mrs-howe-to-charles-hickman-esq) Writes to Mr. Hickman, defending her daughter Nancy and offering marital advice. ### [Letter 74: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-74-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother; charmed by Clarissa's letter and interposes in Anna's conversation with Mr. Hickman. ### [Letter 81: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-81-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother who refuses to offer protection to Clarissa, arguing for filial duty. ### [Letter 87: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-87-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who is suspicious and influenced by Antony Harlowe, causing tension. ### [Letter 100: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-100-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who after Uncle Antony's visit prohibits correspondence with Clarissa and becomes watchful and restrictive. ### [Letter 101: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-101-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa mentions the displeasure between Anna and her mother, and urges Anna to show duty and forbearance. ### [Letter 111: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-111-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who has been influenced by Clarissa's uncle and siblings to prohibit correspondence. ### [Letter 129: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-129-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Anna's mother, with whom Anna has had a debate; Clarissa worries about the situation. ### [Letter 133: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-133-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Anna's mother, whose authority Clarissa defends, noting her past good opinion of Clarissa and her right to be watchful. ### [Letter 135: Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-135-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother; Clarissa proposes that she might oversee their correspondence in confidence. ### [Letter 136: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-136-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Mrs. Howe refuses Clarissa's condition and renews her prohibition on the correspondence, siding with the Harlowes. ### [Letter 150: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-150-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother; she has been meeting with Clarissa's uncle, restricts Anna's correspondence, and scolds Mr. Hickman. ### [Letter 163: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-163-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Sent a letter forbidding Clarissa from writing to Anna without her leave, threatening to make them both unhappy. ### [Letter 168: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-168-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Sends a letter to Clarissa that forbids further correspondence with her daughter, causing Clarissa great distress. ### [Letter 183: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-183-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother; Antony Harlowe is reportedly disposed to marry her, causing Anna concern. ### [Letter 197: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-197-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Receives and declines Antony Harlowe's marriage proposal; engages in dialogue with Anna about it. ### [Letter 208: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-208-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Target of Lovelace's scheme; he plans to ravish her aboard the ship. ### [Letter 296: Mrs. Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-296-mrs-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Author of the letter; expresses pity but harshly criticizes Clarissa's disobedience and its consequences. ### [Letter 297: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs. Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-297-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-mrs-howe) Recipient of the letter; Clarissa thanks her for reproofs and asks for discretion. ### [Letter 310: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-310-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Intercepted Clarissa's letter and permitted Anna to write back after a compromise. ### [Letter 315: Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-315-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Clarissa received a letter from her that had a reviving effect; Clarissa requests her silence. ### [Letter 317: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-317-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Dictates her opinion that Clarissa must prosecute Lovelace; makes this a condition for future correspondence and family reconciliation. ### [Letter 342: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-342-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who believes marriage to Lovelace is the only way to make Clarissa's future tolerable and insists Anna's next visit to Clarissa be as Mrs. Lovelace. ### [Letter 356: Mrs. Harlowe, to Mrs. Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-356-mrs-harlowe-to-mrs-howe) Recipient of the letter; appealed to as a prudent mother to understand the Harlowe family's suffering. ### [Letter 357: Mrs. Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-357-mrs-howe) Writes to Mrs. Harlowe, condemning her daughter's correspondence and asserting parental authority. ### [Letter 358: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-358-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother, who shares her opinion on the marriage and pressures Anna to attend Colonel Ambrose's ball. ### [Letter 367: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-367-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Accompanies Anna to the gathering; engages with Lovelace and later advises Clarissa to marry him. ### [Letter 372: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-372-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Anna's mother; suggests Clarissa write her story and approves of Clarissa's resentment. ### [Letter 494: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-494-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Struck by the news of Clarissa's death, she struggles to break it to her daughter Anna. ### [Letter 520: Colonel Morden, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-520-colonel-morden-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as having weakened authority over her daughter due to her narrow-mindedness, though she praises Miss Howe's generosity. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mrs_howe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters