Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 469: Mr. Brand, to John Harlowe, Esq. explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Brand writes to John Harlowe to retract his earlier negative reports about Clarissa, acknowledging that he was misled by others. He now praises Clarissa's penitence and virtue, and proposes himself as a peacemaker to reconcile her with her family before her impending death. He defends his classical learning and offers to use it to persuade Clarissa to embrace life and to confront Lovelace if necessary.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Mr. Brand frames Clarissa's repentance and impending death as a redemptive arc, comparing her to a second Magdalen and emphasizing her conquest over her love for Lovelace.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Brand retracts his earlier false reports, acknowledging he was misled by appearances and hearsay, and now presents a corrected view of Clarissa's true character.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Praised by Mr. Brand for her penitence and virtue; described as having recovered herself and resolved to die rather than marry Lovelace.
- Mr. John Harlowe
The recipient of Mr. Brand's letter; urged to send Brand as a messenger of peace to Clarissa.
- Robert Lovelace
Referred to as a 'vile man' and 'Goliath in wickedness'; Brand expresses fear of encountering him but hopes to use classical arguments to reform him.
- John Belford
Mentioned as having a libertine character, though Brand acknowledges his earlier report about Belford was accurate.
Key passages
“I am under no small concern, that I should (unhappily) be the occasion (I am sure I intended nothing like it) of widening differences by light misreport, when it is the duty of one of my function (and no less consisting with my inclination) to heal and reconcile.”
Mr. Brand is very worried that his careless report has made things worse, since his job and his nature are to bring peace, not conflict.
Brand expresses regret for his earlier letter and asserts his role as a reconciler.
“Miss Clarissa Harlowe (I must be bold to say) is the only young lady, that ever I heard of (or indeed read of) that, having made such a false step, so soon (of her own accord, as I may say) recovered herself, and conquered her love of the deceiver; (a great conquest indeed!) and who flieth him, and resolveth to die, rather than to be his; which now, to her never-dying honour (I am well assured) is the case”
Brand now believes Clarissa is unique in having quickly overcome her love for Lovelace and choosing death over marriage to him, which he considers a great victory for her virtue.
Brand praises Clarissa's moral recovery and steadfastness.
“I will, in the First Place, put her in mind of the common course of things in this sublunary world, in which joy and sorrow, sorrow and joy, succeed one another by turns”
Brand plans to remind Clarissa that life is full of alternating happiness and sadness.
Brand outlines his intended approach to counsel Clarissa.