Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 270: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford about his plot to manipulate Clarissa through her maid Dorcas, whom Clarissa has come to trust.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford about his plot to manipulate Clarissa through her maid Dorcas, whom Clarissa has come to trust. He describes how Dorcas feigns sympathy and gains Clarissa's confidence by pretending to be a fellow victim of betrayal. Lovelace reflects on the nature of vice and virtue, comparing Dorcas's fidelity in a bad cause to that of a general or lawyer serving unjust ends. He considers allowing Clarissa to attempt an escape as part of his larger scheme.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Dorcas pretends to be a sympathetic confidante while secretly serving Lovelace's plot, highlighting the theme of false appearances.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace orchestrates a plot of circumvention, using Dorcas to manipulate Clarissa's trust and emotions.
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's distress and desire to escape reflect her suffering, while Lovelace muses on the possibility of redemption through her triumph.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Narrates the letter, plotting to manipulate Clarissa through Dorcas and reflecting on vice versus virtue.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Described as ill and determined to escape; she confides in Dorcas, believing her to be a sympathetic ally.
- Dorcas Wykes
Feigns compassion and gains Clarissa's trust by pretending to be a fellow victim; she is a key instrument in Lovelace's plot.
- John Belford
The recipient of the letter; Lovelace addresses him directly throughout.
Key passages
“Very ill—exceedingly ill—as Dorcas tells me, in order to avoid seeing me—and yet the dear soul may be so in her mind.”
Dorcas says Clarissa is very ill to avoid seeing me, though she might truly be distressed in mind.
Lovelace suspects Clarissa is feigning illness to avoid him, but acknowledges her genuine mental anguish.
“Mine is love and revenge taking turns. Hers is hatred.”
My feelings alternate between love and revenge, while hers are pure hatred.
Lovelace contrasts his mixed motives with Clarissa's clear hatred.
“I will throw myself into the first open house I can find; and beg protection till I can get a coach, or a lodging in some honest family.”
Clarissa plans to flee to any open house for protection until she can find a coach or honest lodging.
Clarissa reveals her desperate escape plan to Dorcas.
“The vicious are as bad as they can be; and do the Devil's work without looking after; while he is continually spreading snares for the others.”
Vicious people naturally do evil without supervision, while the devil actively sets traps for the virtuous.
Lovelace reflects on why vice often seems more devoted than virtue.