Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 217: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace reveals to Belford that 'Captain Tomlinson' is actually a forger named Patrick McDonald, hired to deceive Clarissa into believing her uncle Harlowe seeks reconciliation.
What happens
Lovelace reveals to Belford that 'Captain Tomlinson' is actually a forger named Patrick McDonald, hired to deceive Clarissa into believing her uncle Harlowe seeks reconciliation. He outlines his scheme to intercept any letters from Miss Howe via Wilson. Clarissa, in her letters to Anna, expresses cautious hope about the apparent reconciliation, though she remains troubled by Lovelace's mixed character—his pride, vanity, and lack of genuine humanity.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace's elaborate scheme to pass off a forger as Captain Tomlinson epitomizes the theme of deception, as he manipulates appearances to control Clarissa.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace's orchestration of the false reconciliation and his plan to intercept letters demonstrate his manipulative use of power over Clarissa.
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's cautious hope for reconciliation and her reflections on Lovelace's character touch on her suffering and the elusive possibility of redemption.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Reveals the deception of Captain Tomlinson and his scheme to control Clarissa's correspondence.
- John Belford
Recipient of Lovelace's confession about the forged reconciliation plot.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Expresses cautious hope about the supposed reconciliation, but reflects critically on Lovelace's character.
- Anna Howe
Clarissa addresses her letters to Anna, sharing her thoughts on Lovelace and the new prospects.
- Captain Tomlinson
Revealed to be a disguised forger named Patrick McDonald, part of Lovelace's deception.
- Mr. Hickman
Credited by Clarissa for his kind intervention that supposedly led to the reconciliation.
- Mr. John Harlowe
Allegedly sending Captain Tomlinson to negotiate reconciliation, though this is a fabrication.
- Colonel Morden
Quoted by Clarissa regarding the remorseless nature of free livers.
Key passages
“And now it is time to confess (and yet I know that thy conjectures are aforehand with my exposition) that this Captain Tomlinson, who is so great a favourite with my charmer, and who takes so much delight in healing breaches, and reconciling differences, is neither a greater man nor a less than honest Patrick McDonald, attended by a discarded footman of his own finding out.”
Lovelace admits that Captain Tomlinson is actually a forger named Patrick McDonald, hired to deceive Clarissa into believing a reconciliation is underway.
Reveals the central deception of the chapter.
“I am afraid, my dear, that there must have been some fault in his education. His natural bias was not, perhaps (as his power was likely to be large) to do good and beneficent actions; but not, I doubt, from proper motives.”
Clarissa speculates that Lovelace's flawed upbringing led him to do good deeds out of pride rather than genuine kindness.
Clarissa's critical analysis of Lovelace's character.
“He endeavoured, as once before, to conceal his emotion. But why, my dear, should these men (for Mr. Lovelace is not singular in this) think themselves above giving these beautiful proofs of a feeling heart?”
Clarissa questions why men like Lovelace hide their emotions, arguing that showing compassion is a sign of humanity.
Reflects Clarissa's views on emotional sincerity.
