Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 322: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford, expressing his obsession with Clarissa and his inability to find any other woman comparable to her.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford, expressing his obsession with Clarissa and his inability to find any other woman comparable to her. He describes his impatience with his cousins and his brief visit to Colonel Ambrose's, where he meets two Yorkshire nieces but finds them shallow and inferior to Clarissa. He dreads detection of his schemes and deflects Lord M.'s inquiries about his intentions toward Clarissa.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace dreads detection of his contrivances and contrasts the superficial beauty of the Yorkshire nieces with Clarissa's genuine depth, highlighting the theme of appearance versus reality.
Libertinism and Morality
Lovelace's rakish perspective is evident in his dismissal of the nieces as mere 'skin-deep beauties' and his deflection of Lord M.'s moral pressure to marry Clarissa honorably.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Lovelace writes to Belford, lamenting his obsession with Clarissa and his inability to enjoy other women. He expresses dread of detection and deflects Lord M.'s inquiries.
- John Belford
Belford is the recipient of Lovelace's letter, which Lovelace addresses directly, responding to Belford's request for entertaining news.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Clarissa is the constant subject of Lovelace's thoughts; he compares all other women unfavorably to her and calls her 'the charmer of my soul.'
- Lord M.
Lord M. is mentioned as being full of Miss Harlowe and pressing Lovelace to marry her honorably, but Lovelace deflects his inquiries.
- Miss Charlotte Montague
Lovelace's cousin Charlotte is mentioned as being late to breakfast, prompting Lovelace's irritation and his decision to leave before she comes down.
- Miss Patty Montague
Lovelace's cousin Patty is mentioned alongside Charlotte as being late to breakfast.
Key passages
“but so affected, so flimsy-witted, mere skin-deep beauties!—They had looked no farther into themselves than what their glasses were flattering-glasses too; for I thought them passive-faced, and spiritless; with eyes, however, upon the hunt for conquests, and bespeaking the attention of others, in order to countenance their own.”
Lovelace dismisses the Yorkshire nieces as shallow and vain, criticizing their superficial charm and their desperate need for male attention.
Lovelace contrasts the nieces' superficiality with Clarissa's depth, reinforcing his obsession.
“But I hope the whole of his estate will be in my hands before such an event takes place. No harm in hoping , Jack!”
Lovelace cynically hopes to inherit Lord M.'s estate before any child is born, showing his mercenary and manipulative nature.
This reveals Lovelace's selfish motives and his lack of genuine commitment to Clarissa.