Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 259: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace defends his actions to Belford, rationalizing his rape of Clarissa by arguing that her virtue was an experiment and that many women would have yielded.
What happens
Lovelace defends his actions to Belford, rationalizing his rape of Clarissa by arguing that her virtue was an experiment and that many women would have yielded. He admits she is stupified and insensible, yet he still hopes to bring her to cohabitation and eventually marriage, though not immediately. He also mentions settling affairs at Hampstead and his reluctance to leave Clarissa alone with the brothel keepers.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace rationalizes his rape as an experiment to test Clarissa's virtue, revealing his manipulative view of her as a subject to be conquered.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace boasts of discharging obligations at Hampstead 'with no small applause' while concealing the truth of Clarissa's condition.
Suffering and Redemption
Lovelace acknowledges Clarissa's extreme suffering and stupor, yet he still hopes for her eventual forgiveness and his own redemption through marriage.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Writes defensively to Belford, justifying his rape of Clarissa and expressing his ongoing plans for cohabitation.
- John Belford
Addressee of the letter; Lovelace accuses him of severity and using Lovelace's own confessions against him.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Described as stupified and insensible after the rape, yet beginning to revive and exclaim; Lovelace dreads her anguish.
- Mrs. Sinclair
Referred to as the 'venomous spider' of the brothel, whom Lovelace fears will prey on Clarissa if he leaves.
- Mrs. Townsend
Mentioned as having not yet arrived at Hampstead; Lovelace gave instructions about what to say if she came.
Key passages
“Let me alone, you great dog, you!—let me alone!—have I heard a lesser boy, his coward arms held over his head and face, say to a bigger, who was pommeling him, for having run away with his apple, his orange, or his gingerbread.”
Lovelace compares himself to a small boy being beaten by a bigger one, telling Belford to stop scolding him for what is already done.
Lovelace uses a childish analogy to deflect Belford's criticism.
“And, when all's done, Miss Clarissa Harlowe has but run the fate of a thousand others of her sex—only that they did not set such a romantic value upon what they call their honour; that's all.”
Lovelace dismisses Clarissa's violation as a common fate, arguing that other women simply do not place such high importance on their honor.
Lovelace minimizes the rape by generalizing it as a typical experience.
“If she exclaim, (she has reason to exclaim, and I will sit down with patience by the hour together to hear her exclamations, till she is tired of them), she will then descend to expostulation perhaps: expostulation will give me hope: expostulation will show that she hates me not.”
Lovelace believes that if Clarissa moves from exclaiming to reasoning with him, it will indicate she does not hate him and may eventually forgive him.
Lovelace interprets Clarissa's potential willingness to argue as a sign of hope for reconciliation.
“Let that be done, which Matt. doth say. Yea, quoth the Earl—but not today.”
Lovelace quotes Prior to indicate that he will marry Clarissa eventually, but not immediately.
Lovelace uses a literary allusion to postpone the idea of marriage.
“I had rather, methinks, she should have retained all her active powers, though I had suffered by her nails and her teeth, than that she should be sunk into such a state of absolute—insensibility (shall I call it?) as she has been in every since Tuesday morning.”
Lovelace says he would prefer Clarissa to fight him physically than to be in her current state of shock and numbness.
Lovelace expresses discomfort with Clarissa's stupor, preferring her active resistance.
