Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 391: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Belford writes to Lovelace about delivering extracts of Lovelace's letters to Clarissa, softening the content to protect Lovelace.
What happens
Belford writes to Lovelace about delivering extracts of Lovelace's letters to Clarissa, softening the content to protect Lovelace. Clarissa is distressed by a harsh letter from her sister and has written on her knees to her mother for a blessing. She asks Belford to be her executor, which he accepts. Belford offers to mediate with her family, but Clarissa declines, citing Miss Howe's previous interference and preferring Mrs. Norton's help.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa endures harsh letters from her sister and writes to her mother for a blessing, seeking redemption and forgiveness amidst her suffering.
Friendship and Loyalty
Belford shows loyalty by softening Lovelace's letters and accepting the role of Clarissa's executor, while Clarissa trusts him with her papers.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa's family continues to reject her, with her sister's cruel letter and her father's inflexibility, highlighting the consequences of her rebellion.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Delivers extracts of Lovelace's letters to Clarissa, omitting offensive parts; accepts role as Clarissa's executor; offers to mediate with her family.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Receives extracts from Lovelace's letters; is deeply affected by a cruel letter from her sister; writes on her knees to her mother for forgiveness; appoints Belford as her executor.
- Robert Lovelace
Is the recipient of Belford's letter; his letters are excerpted and softened by Belford for Clarissa.
- Arabella Harlowe
Sends a hard-hearted letter to Clarissa, causing her distress.
- Mrs. Norton
Mentioned as a kind and prudent friend whom Clarissa trusts to mediate on her behalf.
Key passages
“I have actually delivered to the lady the extracts she requested me to give her from your letters. I do assure you that I have made the very best of the matter for you, not that conscience, but that friendship, could oblige me to make.”
Belford has given Clarissa the requested excerpts from Lovelace's letters, but he has edited them to be as favorable as possible out of friendship, not moral duty.
Belford prioritizes his friendship with Lovelace over complete honesty.
“She acknowledges, that if the same decency and justice are observed in all of your letters, as in the extracts I have obliged her with, (as I have assured her they are), she shall think herself freed from the necessity of writing her own story”
Clarissa says that if Lovelace's letters are as decent and just as the extracts Belford gave her, she won't need to write her own account of events.
Clarissa's trust in Belford's edited version may spare her from further painful writing.
“The unhappy never want enemies. One fault, wilfully committed, authorizes the imputation of many more. Where the ear is opened to accusations, accusers will not be wanting”
Clarissa reflects that those who are unfortunate always attract enemies, and a single mistake invites many false accusations, especially when people are ready to listen to them.
Clarissa acknowledges how her one rash act has led to widespread condemnation.