Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 464: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Belford writes to Lovelace about Clarissa's declining health, describing her progressive weakness and her moving discourse on the vanity and brevity of life. He reports that she has finished a letter to Mrs. Norton and shares her reflections on death and repentance. Belford also mentions enclosing Brand's recanting letter and notes that he has taken a room near Clarissa to record every detail of her final days.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's progressive physical decline and her discourse on repentance highlight her suffering and her hope for divine mercy.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Belford encloses Brand's recanting letter, exposing the false surmises and the contrast between appearance and truth.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Writes to Lovelace, attends Clarissa, and takes a room near her to record her final hours.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Extremely ill, writes a letter to Mrs. Norton, and delivers a noble discourse on death and repentance.
- Robert Lovelace
Recipient of Belford's letter; described as under dreadful anxiety and suspense.
- Mrs. Lovick
Attends Clarissa, reports on her condition, and provides Belford with a copy of Clarissa's letter.
- Mrs. Smith
Present with Belford and Mrs. Lovick during Clarissa's discourse.
Key passages
“I am thinking, said she, what a gradual and happy death God Almighty (blessed be his name) affords me!”
Clarissa reflects on the blessing of a slow, peaceful death.
Clarissa expresses gratitude for a gradual death that allows her to prepare spiritually.
“We flutter about here and there, with all our vanities about us, like painted butterflies, for a gay, but a very short season, till at last we lay ourselves down in a quiescent state, and turn into vile worms”
Life is brief and vain, like a butterfly's flight, ending in decay.
Clarissa uses the metaphor of butterflies to illustrate the transience of earthly life.
“Ought we not then to study in our full day , before the dark hours approach, so to live, as may afford reflections that will soften the agony of the last moments when they come”
We should live righteously now so that our final moments are peaceful.
Clarissa urges Belford to repent and live virtuously to ease the approach of death.