# Letter 396: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace angrily responds to Belford's delivery of his private letters to Clarissa, vowing to have her despite her resistance. He threatens to burn down the brothel if she rejects his next letter, and insists he will be her sole executor, refusing to let Belford take that role.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace asserts his control over Clarissa's fate, threatening violence and refusing to allow Belford to be her executor.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's suffering is evident as she is denied peace and autonomy, while Lovelace's threats compound her distress.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Writes angrily to Belford, expressing his determination to possess Clarissa and threatening violence if rejected.

### John Belford

Recipient of the letter; Lovelace rebukes him for delivering private extracts to Clarissa.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Referenced as the object of Lovelace's obsession; she has refused his letters and seeks Belford as her executor.

### Mrs. Sinclair

Implied as the 'cursed mother' whose den Lovelace threatens to burn.

## Key lines

> And have her I will, though I marry her in the agonies of death.

I am determined to possess her, even if I have to marry her as she lies dying.

_Lovelace's obsessive resolve to claim Clarissa regardless of her condition._

> I will overcome the creeping folly that has found its way to my heart, or I will tear it out in her presence, and throw it at hers, that she may see how much more tender than her own that organ is.

I will either conquer this foolish love or rip my heart out in front of her to prove it is softer than hers.

_Lovelace's dramatic threat to demonstrate his emotional pain through self-harm._

> the first vengeance I shall take will be to set fire to that den of serpents.

My first act of revenge will be to burn down that house of wicked women.

_Lovelace threatens arson against Mrs. Sinclair's brothel if Clarissa rejects him._

## Links

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