# Letter 401: Miss Cl. Harlowe, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Lovelace under compulsion, stating that even if she lived many more years and there were no other man, she could never be his. She forgives him and wishes him well, expecting the promised relief from his harassment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her moral autonomy by refusing Lovelace despite external pressure, grounding her decision in religious duty and personal integrity.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa finds consolation in forgiving Lovelace and wishing him well, transforming her suffering into a redemptive act.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes to Lovelace under duress, asserting her firm refusal and offering forgiveness.

### Robert Lovelace

Addressee of the letter; Clarissa rejects his hope and demands the fruits of her compliance.

## Key lines

> It is a cruel alternative to be either forced to see you, or to write to you.

Being forced to choose between seeing you or writing to you is a harsh dilemma.

_Clarissa expresses her resentment at being compelled to correspond._

> were I to live more years than perhaps I may weeks, and there were not another man in the world, I could not, I would not, be yours.

Even if I lived many more years than the few weeks I might have left, and no other man existed, I could never and would never consent to be yours.

_Clarissa's definitive rejection of Lovelace, emphasizing her unyielding resolve._

> Religion enjoins me not only to forgive injuries, but to return good for evil.

My faith commands me to forgive wrongs and to repay evil with kindness.

_Clarissa frames her forgiveness as a religious duty._

> I expect the fruits of it.

I expect to receive the promised result of my compliance.

_Clarissa demands that Lovelace fulfill his part of the bargain after she writes._

## Links

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