Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 154: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes triumphantly to Belford about having successfully brought Clarissa to Mrs.
What happens
Lovelace writes triumphantly to Belford about having successfully brought Clarissa to Mrs. Sinclair's London brothel, disguised as a respectable lodging. He details his plans to manipulate Clarissa, including introducing the illiterate maid Dorcas Wykes to control her correspondence, and his intention to claim they are already married. He wrestles briefly with a pang of conscience but resolves to proceed with his scheme, driven by revenge against the Harlowes and the urgings of the women of the house.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace orchestrates an elaborate deception, presenting Mrs. Sinclair's brothel as a respectable lodging and introducing the illiterate Dorcas as a maid to control Clarissa's correspondence, all while claiming they are married.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace revels in his power over Clarissa and the situation, manipulating her environment and the people around her to achieve his ends, driven by revenge against the Harlowes.
Libertinism and Morality
Lovelace's libertine philosophy is on full display as he dismisses his conscience and justifies his schemes, viewing Clarissa's virtue as a challenge to be overcome for his own gratification.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Exultant and scheming, Lovelace details his successful plot to bring Clarissa to Mrs. Sinclair's and his plans for her seduction, though he briefly feels a twinge of conscience.
- John Belford
The recipient of Lovelace's letter, serving as his confidant and the audience for his boasts and schemes.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Now lodged at Mrs. Sinclair's, she is unaware of the true nature of the house; Lovelace notes her shyness toward Dorcas and the widow, and her constant employment in writing.
- Mrs. Sinclair
The brothel keeper, who along with her 'daughters' praises Clarissa's beauty and encourages Lovelace in his revenge plot.
- Dorcas Wykes
Introduced as a maidservant to Clarissa under the alias Dorcas; she is illiterate, chosen to control Clarissa's correspondence, and is described as 'not to be corrupted.'
- Sally Martin
One of the women of the house, she is struck by Clarissa's beauty and quotes Dryden in admiration.
Key passages
“The wise and active conquer difficulties, By daring to attempt them. Sloth and folly Shiver and shrink at sight of toil and hazard, And make th’ impossibility they fear.”
Bold and determined people overcome obstacles by facing them head-on, while lazy and foolish ones are paralyzed by fear and thus create the very impossibility they dread.
Lovelace quotes Rowe to celebrate his successful scheme in bringing Clarissa to London.
“Fairer to be seen Than the fair lily on the flow’ry green! More fresh than May herself in blossoms new!”
She is more beautiful to behold than a lily in a meadow, and more vibrant than the month of May with its fresh blossoms.
Sally Martin quotes Dryden to express her admiration for Clarissa's beauty upon first seeing her.
“What an advantage has an imposing or forward nature over a courteous one!”
How much easier it is for a bold and pushy person to get their way compared to a polite and considerate one.
Lovelace reflects on how Clarissa's courteous nature made it easy for him to impose the illiterate maid Dorcas upon her.
“People who will be dealing in contradiction ought to pay for it. And to be punished by the consequences of our own choice—what a moral lies there!”
Those who act inconsistently should suffer the consequences. There is a lesson in being punished by the results of one's own decisions.
Lovelace muses on the irony that Clarissa's choice of Mrs. Sinclair's lodging may lead to her downfall.
