Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 447: Colonel Morden, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Colonel Morden writes to Clarissa after a fortnight in England, explaining he has been busy trying to arrange matters in her favor.
What happens
Colonel Morden writes to Clarissa after a fortnight in England, explaining he has been busy trying to arrange matters in her favor. He reveals he met with Lovelace and Lord M., noting the entire family's desire for an alliance with Clarissa and Lovelace's eagerness to make reparation. Morden advises Clarissa to forgive Lovelace and marry him, believing it would lead to a general reconciliation with her family. He offers to support her if there are hidden reasons for refusal and promises to visit her soon.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Morden urges Clarissa to forgive Lovelace to achieve a general reconciliation with her family, highlighting the tension between personal choice and familial duty.
Suffering and Redemption
Morden frames Lovelace's repentance and Clarissa's forgiveness as a path to redemption and restoration of honor.
Characters to notice
- Colonel Morden
Writes to Clarissa, having been in England for a fortnight, working on her behalf and urging her to forgive Lovelace.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The recipient of the letter; Morden advises her to accept Lovelace's hand and seeks her response regarding Lovelace's sincerity.
- Robert Lovelace
Met with Morden and Lord M.; expresses desire to make reparation and speaks highly of Clarissa's virtue.
- Lord M.
Present during Morden's meeting with Lovelace; his family desires an alliance with Clarissa.
- Antony Harlowe
Morden directs Clarissa to send her reply to his address at Antony's house.
Key passages
“I think, my dear Cousin, that you cannot now do better than to give him the honour of your hand.”
Morden advises Clarissa that marrying Lovelace is the best course of action.
Morden explicitly recommends marriage as the solution to the conflict.
“Your effectual forgiveness of Mr. Lovelace, it is evident to me, will accelerate a general reconciliation.”
Morden believes that if Clarissa truly forgives Lovelace, it will speed up the mending of family relationships.
Morden ties Clarissa's personal forgiveness to broader family harmony.