Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice

to remain unfettered by another will or the will of
another husband.
Mrs. Howe retains control of her daughter's
correspondence, and she is more than happy to advise and
consent on Clarissa's behavior, as well. Correspondence,
both written and spoken, is a lively, ongoing event in
her house. "My momma charged me, at last, to write that
side over again," relates Anna in a letter to Clarissa,
reporting in detail the running side commentary that goes
along with the mother/daughter exchanges (L27 131). What
a stark difference from the hushed silence of the Harlowe
household, which is shattered only with the ranting of
James, Jr., and Arabella!
When Anna Howe marries the outrageously patient
Hickman, a man seemingly devoid of the petulance and
patriarchal tendencies of the original Mr. Howe,
Lovelace, and the overbearing Harlowe men, Anna does not
give up her independence. Belford relates to Lovelace
that Clarissa's Poor Fund will remain intact thanks to
Anna, since she oversees it while Clarissa is alive and
since then she has made Hickman agree not to ask for any
changes in her habits when they married ("Conclusion"
1492).