Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice

of her house, for it is her duty. It is a matter of
honor. Clarissa's mother has obviously come to some
crucial turning point, giving Clarissa the keys to her
house, and, in effect, giving up her power over the
household. Clarissa relates to Anna:
The contentions of these fierce, these
masculine spirits, and the apprehension of
mischiefs that may arise from the increasing
animosity which all here have against Mr.
Lovelace, and his too-well known resentful and
intrepid character, she cannot bear. Then the
foundation laid, as she dreads, for jealousy
and heartburning in her own family, late so
happy and so united, afflict exceedingly a
gentle and sensible mind, which has from the
beginning on all occasions sacrificed its own
inward satisfaction to outward peace. (L5 54)
The last section of the paragraph is most revealing, for
Clarissa urgently wants her mother to exert her
"authority." Unfortunately, James, Sr. s, gout, the
family ambitions, and the constant feuding of James and
Arabella have worn down Mrs. Harlowe. By the time
Clarissa writes her next letter to Anna, the protection
and guidance of her mother's "authority" is gone: "Could