Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 106: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace exults over Clarissa's escape from marrying Solmes, comparing the Harlowe family to timid spiders and himself to a bold adventurer above the law.
What happens
Lovelace exults over Clarissa's escape from marrying Solmes, comparing the Harlowe family to timid spiders and himself to a bold adventurer above the law. He muses on his past misdeeds, blaming women for his moral failings, and jokes about segregating churches by gender. He mentions his 'Rosebud' affair and laments that his good deeds go uncredited while his faults are highlighted.
Themes in this chapter
Libertinism and Morality
Lovelace openly celebrates his lawless behavior, comparing himself to a spider preying on the weak, and blames women for his moral failings.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace contrasts the 'tame spirits' who value reputation with his own bold hypocrisy, and notes that James Harlowe's valiant face hides fear.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace boasts of his strategic advantage over the Harlowes, using their fear and his own cunning to control the situation.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Narrates the letter, triumphing over the Harlowes and reflecting on his libertine philosophy.
- John Belford
The recipient of the letter; Lovelace addresses him directly and asks for help recalling praiseworthy deeds.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Referred to as 'my charmer' and the object of Lovelace's schemes; her escape from Solmes is celebrated.
- Mr. Solmes
Mentioned as the hideous suitor Clarissa was to marry.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Described as having a face that shows fear; Lovelace imagines his cowardice.
- Joseph Leman
Mentioned as the agent through whom Lovelace hinted at the 'Rosebud' affair to Clarissa.
Key passages
“the tame spirits which value themselves upon reputation, and are held within the skirts of the law by political considerations only, may be compared to an infectious spider; which will run into his hole the moment one of his threads is touched by a finger that can crush him”
People who care about their reputation and obey the law out of self-interest are like a spider that scurries into its hole when threatened.
Lovelace dismisses conventional morality as cowardly.
“the principal blot in my escutcheon is owing to these girls, these confounded girls. But for them, I could go to church with a good conscience”
The main stain on my reputation comes from women; without them, I could be virtuous.
Lovelace blames women for his own moral failures, deflecting responsibility.
“I think a fine woman too rich a jewel to hang about a poor man’s neck”
A beautiful woman is too valuable to be wasted on a poor man.
Lovelace reveals his possessive and elitist view of women as ornaments.