Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 347: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace responds to Belford's letters, dismissing Belford's reformation and expressing disturbance at Clarissa's ill health, which he blames on the arrest.
What happens
Lovelace responds to Belford's letters, dismissing Belford's reformation and expressing disturbance at Clarissa's ill health, which he blames on the arrest. He rationalizes her selling her clothes as female perversity and hopes to reconcile with her. He then discusses Belton's case, proposing a darkly humorous scheme to rid Belton of his unfaithful mistress Thomasine, and criticizes Belford's grim depiction of their friends' ends.
Themes in this chapter
Libertinism and Morality
Lovelace defends his libertine lifestyle, dismisses Belford's reformation, and rationalizes his actions toward Clarissa.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace discusses Thomasine's long-undetected hypocrisy and his own belief that Clarissa's selling clothes is a deceptive act of spite.
Friendship and Loyalty
Lovelace reflects on the nature of friendship, distinguishing between deep bonds and mere companionship, and offers to help Belton.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Writes dismissively to Belford, rationalizes Clarissa's distress, and proposes a violent scheme regarding Belton's mistress.
- John Belford
Addressed by Lovelace; accused of reformation and criticized for his grim letter about their friends' fates.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Lovelace is disturbed by her ill health, blames the arrest, and interprets her selling clothes as spite.
- Thomas Belton
His case is discussed; Lovelace offers a dark scheme to rid him of his unfaithful mistress Thomasine.
- Anna Howe
Mentioned as a proud and saucy friend who may have supplied Clarissa with money.
Key passages
“Happiness consists in being pleased with what we do: and if thou canst find delight in being sad, it will be as well for thee as if thou wert merry, though no other person should join to keep thee in countenance.”
Happiness is simply enjoying what you do; if you find pleasure in sadness, it's as good as being merry, even if no one else agrees.
Lovelace sarcastically dismisses Belford's reformation, suggesting that if Belford finds joy in gloom, that's his own affair.
“I would engage Thomasine and her cubs (if Belton be convinced they are neither of them his) in a party of pleasure. It should be in a boat, hired for the purpose, to sail to Tilbury, to the Isle Shepey, or pleasuring up the Medway; and ’tis but contriving to turn the boat bottom upward.”
I would take Thomasine and her children on a pleasure boat trip and then arrange to capsize the boat.
Lovelace proposes a murderous scheme disguised as a friendly outing to rid Belton of his unfaithful mistress.