Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 400: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Belford writes to Lovelace, informing him of the generous offers made by Lord M. and the ladies of his family to Clarissa, and her grateful but declining response. He notes Clarissa's intention to answer Lovelace's letter of the 7th, though reluctantly, and mentions that her grandfather's will enables her to make her own will at eighteen, which she now resolves to do. Belford insists on Lovelace's promise not to molest Clarissa.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa exercises agency by planning to make her will and by responding to Lovelace on her own terms, while maintaining her virtue in the face of familial and social pressure.
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's suffering is acknowledged through the generous offers of Lord M.'s family, and her response reflects a redemptive focus on forgiveness and divine pardon.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Writes to Lovelace, reporting on Clarissa's situation and the generosity of Lord M.'s family.
- Robert Lovelace
Recipient of the letter; Belford insists he keep his promise not to molest Clarissa.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Gratefully declines the offers from Lord M. and the ladies; intends to answer Lovelace's letter and plans to make her will.
- Lord M.
Shows generosity toward Clarissa, along with the ladies of his family.
Key passages
“She took great notice of that passage in yours, which makes necessary to the Divine pardon, the forgiveness of a person causelessly injured.”
Clarissa paid close attention to your remark that forgiving someone who has wronged you without cause is essential for receiving God's forgiveness.
Highlights Clarissa's religious and moral reflection on forgiveness.
“Her grandfather, I find, has enabled her at eighteen years of age to make her will, and to devise great part of his estate to whom she pleases of the family, and the rest out of it (if she die single) at her own discretion; and this to create respect to her!”
Her grandfather's will allows her, at eighteen, to decide how to distribute most of his estate among family or others if she remains unmarried, which was meant to ensure she would be treated with respect.
Explains the legal provision that empowers Clarissa to make her own will.