Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 364: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Belford rebukes Lovelace for blaming Clarissa's ill health on the arrest and her family's implacability, insisting the fault lies with Lovelace.
What happens
Belford rebukes Lovelace for blaming Clarissa's ill health on the arrest and her family's implacability, insisting the fault lies with Lovelace. He describes Clarissa's birthday fast and her noble disposition, contrasts her saintly behavior with the cowardice of sinners like Belton, and reflects on the Bible's style and wisdom, urging Lovelace toward reformation.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's illness and fast are framed as suffering that leads to spiritual reflection; Belford sees her as a saintly hero, contrasting with the cowardice of sinners.
Friendship and Loyalty
Belford shows loyalty to Clarissa by defending her and to Belton by staying with him; he criticizes Lovelace's lack of true friendship.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Belford accuses Lovelace of self-deception and making poor excuses; contrasts Lovelace's outward bravery with inner cowardice.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Shut herself up for a severe fast on her birthday; declining in health but maintaining noble composure; parted with her clothes due to necessity.
- Robert Lovelace
Belford criticizes Lovelace for making poor excuses and for his brutal treatment of delicacy; Lovelace is warned against confronting Miss Howe and Arabella.
- John Belford
Writes to Lovelace from Edgware; reflects on Clarissa's virtue, Belton's misery, and his own growing reformation; shares a meditation and praises the Bible.
- Thomas Belton
Described as low-spirited, moping, and in need of Belford's company; Belford pities him but can offer no consolation.
- Anna Howe
Mentioned as noble and likely unable to supply Clarissa secretly due to her mother's avarice; Lovelace considers throwing himself in her way.
- Arabella Harlowe
Lovelace considers confronting her; her letter to Clarissa wished to see her reduced to want.
Key passages
“What pains thou takest to persuade thyself, that the lady’s ill health is owing to the vile arrest, and to the implacableness of her friends. Both primarily (if they were) to be laid at thy door.”
You work hard to convince yourself that Clarissa's illness is due to the arrest and her family's stubbornness, but the real cause is you.
Belford directly blames Lovelace for Clarissa's decline.
“The lady shut herself up at six o’clock yesterday afternoon; and intends not to see company till seven or eight this; not even her nurse—imposing upon herself a severe fast. And why? It is her birthday!”
Clarissa secluded herself from yesterday evening until tonight, fasting strictly, because it is her birthday.
Highlights Clarissa's self-imposed penance on a day that should be celebratory.
“I see so much difference in the behaviour of this admirable woman in her illness, and that of poor Belton in his, that it is plain to me the sinner is the real coward, and the saint the true hero.”
Comparing Clarissa's illness with Belton's shows that the sinner is actually a coward, while the saint is the true hero.
Belford contrasts moral courage with sinful fear.