Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 419: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Belford writes to Lovelace, expressing indignation at Lovelace's breach of honor and cruel treatment of Clarissa.
What happens
Belford writes to Lovelace, expressing indignation at Lovelace's breach of honor and cruel treatment of Clarissa. He describes the deathbed scene of their mutual friend Belton, who is tormented by guilt and despair over his past wicked life. Belford contrasts Belton's genuine repentance with Mowbray's callous insensibility, and uses the scene to admonish Lovelace about his own moral state.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Belton's agonizing deathbed repentance and his desperate search for mercy highlight the theme of suffering and the possibility of redemption.
Friendship and Loyalty
Belford contrasts true friendship (based on virtue) with the hollow camaraderie of Lovelace's circle, as exemplified by Mowbray's indifference.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace's pretended seriousness and his ludicrous behavior at Smith's are exposed as a mask for his hardened heart.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Narrates the letter, reproaches Lovelace for his behavior, and describes Belton's deathbed agony.
- Robert Lovelace
Addressee of the letter; Belford criticizes his ludicrous behavior at Smith's and his cruelty toward Clarissa.
- Thomas Belton
Dying friend whose agonizing repentance and despair are vividly described; he reflects on his past sins and warns Lovelace.
- Richard Mowbray
Present at Belton's bedside; displays callous insensibility and coarse praise of Lovelace.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as the injured lady; Belford recalls her wise words about friendship and virtue.
- James Tourville
Briefly mentioned as one of the group involved in Belton's worldly affairs.
Key passages
“I have been under such concern for the poor man, whose exit I almost hourly expect, and at the shocking scenes his illness and his agonies exhibit, that I have been only able to make memoranda of the melancholy passages, from which to draw up a more perfect account, for the instruction of us all, when the writing appetite shall return.”
I have been so distressed by the dying man's suffering that I could only jot down notes, intending to write a fuller account later for our moral benefit.
Belford explains his delay in writing due to the emotional impact of Belton's deathbed scene.
“Canst thou thyself say, on reflection, that it has not the look of a wicked and hardened sportiveness, in thee, for the sake of a wanton humour only, (since it can answer no end that thou proposest to thyself, but the direct contrary), to hunt from place to place a poor lady, who, like a harmless deer, that has already a barbed shaft in her breast, seeks only a refuge from thee in the shades of death.”
Can you deny that your relentless pursuit of Clarissa, like a wounded deer seeking only to die in peace, is cruel and pointless?
Belford accuses Lovelace of heartless sport in hounding Clarissa.
“O that I less could fear to lose this being, Which, like a snowball, in my coward hand, The more ’tis grasped, the faster melts away!”
I wish I were less afraid of death, but the more I cling to life, the quicker it slips away.
Belton quotes Dryden, expressing his terror of dying.
“When poor Lovelace is brought to a sickbed, as I am now, and his mind forebodes that it is impossible he should recover... what then will he think of himself, or of his past actions?”
When Lovelace lies dying like me, he will be tormented by the memory of his misdeeds.
Belton warns Lovelace through Belford about future remorse.
“Depend upon it, Mr. Belford, that one day you will be convinced, that what you call friendship, is chaff and stubble; and that nothing is worthy of that sacred name, That has not virtue for its base.”
True friendship must be founded on virtue; otherwise it is worthless.
Clarissa's earlier advice to Belford is recalled, contrasting with the false friendship of Lovelace's circle.
