Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 251: Mr. Lovelace explained
Lovelace intercepts a letter from Miss Howe to Clarissa by orchestrating a deception with Mrs.
What happens
Lovelace intercepts a letter from Miss Howe to Clarissa by orchestrating a deception with Mrs. Bevis and the maid Margaret. He instructs Mrs. Bevis to impersonate Clarissa, claiming she is ill and dropsical, to receive the letter from a messenger. The ruse succeeds, and Lovelace obtains the letter, rejoicing in his cunning and the complicity of the women.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace's elaborate impersonation scheme, where Mrs. Bevis pretends to be Clarissa, highlights the theme of deceptive appearances.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace manipulates Mrs. Bevis and the maid through bribes and flattery to control Clarissa's correspondence.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Orchestrates the interception of Miss Howe's letter, directing Mrs. Bevis and the maid in the deception.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Absent at church; the target of Lovelace's scheme to intercept her correspondence.
- Anna Howe
Sender of the intercepted letter; her messenger is deceived by Lovelace's plot.
- Mrs. Bevis
Assists Lovelace by impersonating Clarissa to receive the letter from the messenger.
- Dorcas Wykes
Referred to as Margaret; the maid who helps Lovelace by fetching the messenger and later entertaining him.
Key passages
“Thus, Jack, got I my heart's ease , the letter of Miss Howe; ad through such a train of accidents, as makes me say, that the lady's stars fight against her.”
Lovelace rejoices that he has obtained Miss Howe's letter, attributing his success to a series of fortunate coincidences that seem to conspire against Clarissa.
Lovelace's smug satisfaction and his belief that fate is on his side.
“All women are born to intrigue, Jack; and practise it more or less, as fathers, guardians, governesses, from dear experience, can tell; and in love affairs are naturally expert, and quicker in their wits by half than men.”
Lovelace asserts that women are naturally skilled at deception and intrigue, especially in romantic matters, and are quicker-witted than men.
Lovelace's cynical and misogynistic view of women's nature.