Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 168: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford about a letter from Mrs.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford about a letter from Mrs. Howe to Clarissa, which causes Clarissa great distress. He suspects it forbids further correspondence with Miss Howe. Lovelace expresses mixed feelings—some sympathy for Clarissa's persecution but also relief that the prohibition may weaken Clarissa's support network and make her more vulnerable to his designs.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace manipulates the situation, expressing relief that Clarissa's support network is weakened, which serves his predatory aims.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace feigns concern for Clarissa's distress while secretly benefiting from the isolation the prohibition creates.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Writes to Belford, gloating over Mrs. Howe's letter that distresses Clarissa and may cut off her correspondence with Anna Howe.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Receives a cruel letter from Mrs. Howe; weeps and laments that her only comfort must be given up.
- Anna Howe
Her correspondence with Clarissa is likely prohibited by Mrs. Howe; Lovelace blames her for keeping Clarissa on guard.
- Mrs. Howe
Sends a letter to Clarissa that forbids further correspondence with her daughter, causing Clarissa great distress.
- John Belford
Recipient of Lovelace's letter; Lovelace shares his thoughts on the prohibition and its effects.
Key passages
“What a cruelty in my fate! Now the only comfort of my life must be given up!”
Clarissa laments that the letter from Mrs. Howe forces her to end her correspondence with Anna Howe, her sole source of comfort.
Clarissa's reaction to the prohibition of her correspondence with Miss Howe.
“I hate cruelty, especially in women; and should have been more concerned for this instance of it in Mrs. Howe, had I not had a stronger instance of the same in my beloved to Miss Partington”
Lovelace claims to dislike cruelty but is less sympathetic to Mrs. Howe's harshness because he recalls Clarissa's own strictness toward Miss Partington.
Lovelace rationalizes his lack of sympathy for Clarissa's distress by comparing it to her earlier behavior.
“How everything works for me!—Why will this charming creature make such contrivances necessary, as will increase my trouble, and my guilt too, as some will account it? But why, rather I should ask, will she fight against her stars?”
Lovelace exults that events are aligning in his favor, blaming Clarissa for resisting what he sees as her destined fate.
Lovelace's self-justifying and manipulative perspective on the situation.