In letter 16, Clarissa Harlowe expresses, to her dear friend Anne Howe, her deep dislike for her family's choice of suitor Mr. Solmes. She confides that she hopes her mother will help her refrain from marrying such an abhorrent man. Clarissa tells Anne of an incident that happened that morning amongst her family and Mr. Solmes. Through her words and actions we can clearly see her disgust for the, odious and ugly. . .wretch Mr. Solmes. However it is evident that her father's strong character as well as his demanding and threatening personality keeps Clarissa dutiful and in her place. In this letter it is also made clear that Clarissa's mother is apprehensive of her marriage to Mr. Solmes, and that she, like Clarissa, can not stand up against Mr. Harlowe's dictatorship. Mrs. Harlowe explains that, . . . he will not be controlled; nor yet persuaded, and that Clarissa's, heart . . . must bend. She brings up Mr. Lovelace and tries to guilt Clarissa by mentioning the fact that he tried to kill her beloved brother and that she should not want to disgrace her family like that. There is great stress put upon the fact that Clarissa says her heart is free and unattached to anyone. Mrs. Harlowe accentuates the fact that since this is so, Clarissa's duty to her parents and family should govern her heart and she should marry Roger Solmes. Mr. Harlowe's governing hand is evident through the end of the letter when he suggests to his wife, you may be talking if the preparations [for the marriage] Let us soon have you down--Your daughter in hand, if worthy of the name. Neither Clarissa nor her mother has the will to speak back to such a stern and powerful man, therefore Clarissa's opposition is kept secret and her heart in shambles.-AC