Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 229: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace intercepts a letter from Anna Howe to Clarissa, in which Anna warns Clarissa that she is in a vile house and that Lovelace is a villain.
What happens
Lovelace intercepts a letter from Anna Howe to Clarissa, in which Anna warns Clarissa that she is in a vile house and that Lovelace is a villain. Lovelace reads the letter with rage, considers revenge against Anna Howe, and contemplates forging a letter to lure Anna away, but decides to wait. He reflects on his failures with Clarissa and blames Anna for arming her against him.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace intercepts and reads a private letter, plans to forge a letter to deceive Anna Howe, and the true nature of the house and Lovelace's character are hidden from Clarissa.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace exercises power by intercepting correspondence, plotting revenge, and considering manipulation of Anna Howe and Hickman to achieve his ends.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Intercepts and reads Anna Howe's letter to Clarissa, expresses rage and vengeful thoughts, considers forging a letter to trap Anna, and reflects on his failures.
- Anna Howe
Writes a warning letter to Clarissa, exposing the house as vile and Lovelace as a villain; Lovelace calls her a 'vixen' and a 'little fury' and contemplates revenge.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The intended recipient of Anna's intercepted letter; Lovelace fears the letter's contents would have reached her and caused her to escape.
- John Belford
The recipient of Lovelace's letter; Lovelace encloses Anna's letter for Belford to read and return.
- Mr. Hickman
Mentioned as a good man; Lovelace considers punishing him but decides against it due to his character and to avoid blowing his cover.
Key passages
“A letter is put into my hands by Wilson himself.—Such a letter! A letter from Miss Howe to her cruel friend!— I made no scruple to open it.”
Lovelace receives a letter from Anna Howe addressed to Clarissa and opens it without hesitation.
Shows Lovelace's disregard for privacy and his manipulative nature.
“O this devilish Miss Howe;—something must be resolved upon and done with that little fury!”
Lovelace expresses anger toward Anna Howe and vows to take action against her.
Highlights Lovelace's vengeful intentions toward Anna.
“Be assured that the woman is one of the vilest women—nor does she go to you by her right name—(Very true!)—Her name is not Sinclair, nor is the street she lives in Dover-street.”
Anna warns Clarissa that the landlady is a wicked woman using a false name and that the house is not in Dover Street.
Reveals the deception about Mrs. Sinclair and the brothel.
“I swear by all the dii majores, as well as minores, that I will have Miss Howe, if I cannot have her more exalted friend!”
Lovelace vows to seduce Anna Howe if he cannot have Clarissa.
Demonstrates Lovelace's predatory and vengeful mindset.