# Letter 242: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace writes to Belford from Mrs. Moore's, frustrated by the delay of Captain Tomlinson's arrival. He learns from Mrs. Bevis that Clarissa considered leaving but was dissuaded by Miss Rawlins and Mrs. Moore. Tomlinson finally arrives, but Clarissa postpones their meeting until four o'clock. Lovelace vents his impatience and reflects on Clarissa's low spirits and distrust of men.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace schemes to control Clarissa's movements and uses Tomlinson as a tool.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace feigns concern while plotting; Tomlinson's role is a pretense.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Narrator; expresses frustration over Tomlinson's delay and Clarissa's resistance.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Keeps to her room, is low-spirited, and postpones meeting with Tomlinson.

### Captain Tomlinson

Arrives after a delay; is annoyed at being made to wait.

### Mrs. Bevis

Reports to Lovelace that Clarissa considered leaving Mrs. Moore's.

### Miss Rawlins

Dissuaded Clarissa from attempting to leave Mrs. Moore's.

## Key lines

> What briars and thorns does the wretch rush into (a scratched face and tattered garments the unavoidable consequence) who will needs be for striking out a new path through overgrown underwood; quitting that beaten out for him by those who have travelled the same road before him!

Lovelace reflects that those who deviate from conventional paths suffer inevitable consequences.

_Lovelace muses on the perils of his own unconventional schemes._

> The sex love busy scenes. Still life is their aversion. A woman will create a storm, rather than be without one.

Lovelace claims women prefer turmoil and will stir up trouble to avoid boredom.

_Lovelace's cynical generalization about women's nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-242-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters