# Letter 258: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Belford writes to Lovelace in horror and condemnation after learning of the rape of Clarissa. He urges Lovelace to make amends by marrying her, offering to give him his inheritance if he does so. Belford reflects on his uncle's death and his own moral awakening.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

Belford emphasizes Clarissa's suffering and urges Lovelace to seek redemption through marriage, while Belford himself undergoes a moral transformation after witnessing his uncle's death.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Belford's letter balances his loyalty to Lovelace with his moral outrage, ultimately offering his inheritance to persuade Lovelace to do right by Clarissa.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Belford condemns Lovelace's blackest artifice and studied deceits, contrasting the appearance of a seduction with the reality of a brutal rape.

## Character check-ins

### John Belford

Writes to Lovelace expressing horror and moral outrage at the rape of Clarissa; offers his inheritance to Lovelace if he will marry her.

### Robert Lovelace

Addressed by Belford as the perpetrator of the rape; urged to marry Clarissa to repair his crime.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Described as the victim of Lovelace's barbarous outrage; praised for her virtue and excellence.

## Key lines

> O thou savage-hearted monster! What work hast thou made in one guilty hour, for a whole age of repentance!

You savage monster! What you did in one guilty hour will require a lifetime of repentance.

_Belford opens with a direct condemnation of Lovelace's rape of Clarissa._

> I wish, from my heart, thou wert a money-lover! Were the estate to be of double the value, thou shouldst have it every shilling; only upon one condition ... that thou wouldst permit me the honour of being this fatherless lady's father, as it is called, at the altar.

I wish you cared about money. I would give you my entire inheritance on one condition: that you let me have the honor of giving this fatherless lady away at the altar.

_Belford offers his inheritance to Lovelace if he will marry Clarissa._

## Links

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