# Letter 175: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace writes to Belford about his frustrations with Clarissa's resistance and his schemes to control her. He recounts an incident where he attempted to steal a letter from her, leading to a confrontation. He also plots to use a false Singleton to manipulate Miss Howe and keep Clarissa dependent on him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace's schemes to control Clarissa through deception and surveillance, including the attempted theft of her letter and the Singleton plot.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's pretense of concern for Clarissa's comfort while secretly plotting to undermine her independence.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Narrator; expresses frustration with Clarissa's resistance and plots further manipulation.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Object of Lovelace's schemes; fiercely defends her correspondence and refuses to see him after the letter incident.

### John Belford

Recipient of Lovelace's letter; confidant to whom Lovelace vents his frustrations.

### Dorcas Wykes

Servant who alerts Lovelace to the opportunity to steal Clarissa's letter.

### Joseph Leman

Mentioned as Lovelace's implement; Lovelace considers punishing him after his marriage.

### Anna Howe

Mentioned as the only person who might know Clarissa's whereabouts; target of Lovelace's Singleton plot.

## Key lines

> But to putting wisdom out of the question, and to take cunning in; that is to say, to consider woman as a woman; what shall we do, if this lady has something extraordinary in her head?

Setting aside wisdom and focusing on cunning—treating woman as woman—what can we do if this lady has something unusual in mind?

_Lovelace reflects on Clarissa's potential cleverness and the challenge it poses to his schemes._

> I have overplotted myself. To my make my work secure, as I thought, I have frighted the dear creature with the sight of my four Hottentots, and I shall be a long time, I doubt, before I can recover my lost ground.

I have schemed too much. Trying to secure my plan, I scared the dear creature with my four rough companions, and I fear it will take a long time to regain my position.

_Lovelace admits his overreaching has backfired, frightening Clarissa and damaging his progress._

> What was to be done on so palpable a detection?—I clasped her hand, which had hold of the ravished paper, between mine: O my beloved creature! said I, can you think I have not some curiosity?

What could I do when caught so clearly? I held her hand, which gripped the stolen paper, between mine and said, 'My beloved, can you believe I have no curiosity?'

_Lovelace's attempt to justify his theft of Clarissa's letter after being caught._

## Links

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