Clarissa | Themes

Clarissa Themes

Forgiveness

Clarissa's family is unrelenting in their refusal to forgive Clarissa and receive her into their favor until her death makes it too late to be of any value. Their resentment is over her unwillingness to marry someone that Clarissa finds odious. Likewise, the Harlowes refuse to forgive Mr. Lovelace's treatment of Clarissa while he parallels their refusal to forgive by refusing to forgive their treatment of Clarissa. Miss Howe will not forgive the Harlowes or Mr. Lovelace for maltreating Clarissa. After Clarissa's death, everyone is unwilling to forgive themselves.

The irony of this is that everyone refuses to forgive multiple people for the injuries done to Clarissa. Paradoxically, Clarissa, who receives all the injuries that are not forgiven by the others, forgives everyone. Her posthumous letters and her will, as well as her dying words, express her forgiveness for everyone who injured...
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