There is no judging for others by one’s self

Clarissa read-along: Letters 297 to 327

Jul 15, 2023

Dear friends,

“There is no judging for others by one’s self,” writes Mrs Norton in letter 301. Not everyone behaves as we might do; it is not always possible to understand each other. This sentiment seems to sum up the whole novel so far — only rarely are people willing to see things from Clarissa’s point of view. It is this lack of empathy that unites Lovelace with the Harlowe family; neither can see beyond their own self interest. And yet they claim to love.

Finally Clarissa has some support. Both from Anna and Mrs Howe, and Mrs Norton. She assembles evidence of Lovelace’s vile plot and is, in this way, empowered. But she remains isolated in London, dangerously close to Lovelace himself. Clarissa’s spirits are low, her health declining. She frequently talks of death. Richardson now directs our attention to the consequences of rape. For Clarissa, the easy slide into death is far easier to accept than the fear and agony of having to represent her case publicly in court. She is urged to prosecute in order to protect other girls. Mrs Howe believes there is no shame in this, asking:

“What murderers, what ravishers, would be brought to justice if modesty were to be a general plea, and allowable, against appearing in a court to prosecute.”

Clarissa’s unwillingness to follow her claims through to trial, is viewed with scepticism:

“Will it not rather be surmised that she may be apprehensive that some weakness, or lurking love, will appear upon the trial of the strange cause?”

It is a damning indictment of our legal system that victims still feel unable to come forward and prosecute their rapists today. Just last year it was reported that only one in six victims report rape due to fears about their treatment by police.

“Figures show that rape trials have significantly higher not guilty plea levels compared to other crimes – meaning a greater proportion of victims are put through the stress of giving evidence in court. Fewer than one in five adult rape trials arriving at Crown Court receives a guilty plea, compared to 60% of all crime.”

The Lovelace family offer Clarissa another alternative — marriage. They suggest Clarissa keep the rape a secret, to avoid heaping disgrace upon the family. Hushing it up and getting married will save everyone from social humiliation and exclusion. We already know this is the last thing that Clarissa herself wants. As recently as 2021, the UN found there were 20 countries which still allow rapists to marry their victims in order to escape prosecution. Dr Natalia Kamen of the UN Population Fund commented that, “‘Marry your rapist’ laws shift the burden of guilt on to the victim and try to sanitise a situation which is criminal.” A contributor to the report, Dima Dabbous, said the laws reflected a culture, “that does not think women should have bodily autonomy and that they are the property of the family.” It is shocking how relevant this novel feels, 275 years later.

In this part of the novel Richardson allows Clarissa space to reveal her experience of the rape itself. And he tempts readers with the delicious promise of watching Lovelace censured and criticised, held to account by his family. But Richardson doesn’t entirely follow through. Lovelace knows his audience and the grilling quickly turns in his favour. By singing Clarissa’s praises, he wins his family over and, as we close the novel this week, they are in union with him to win her back. Once again Clarissa is being backed into a corner, pressured to marry a man who deserves only her hatred.

“To have money, and will, and head, to be a villain, is too much for the rest of the world when they meet him in one man.”

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