Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 475: Mr. Belford explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Belford reports on Clarissa's final hours. She is in a slumber, but upon waking shows signs of approaching death. She delivers a pious and comforting lecture to Belford and Colonel Morden, expressing her readiness to die and her wish that her death not be avenged. She requests that her letter be sent to Mrs. Norton and asks for pardon from her parents.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's peaceful acceptance of death and her focus on spiritual preparation illustrate her redemption through suffering.
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa expresses her wish for pardon from her parents, highlighting the ongoing tension between family duty and her personal choices.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Clarissa is near death, speaking inwardly and with short breath, but delivers a moving lecture on preparation for death and forgiveness.
- John Belford
Belford writes the letter, attends Clarissa with Colonel Morden, and is deeply affected by her state.
- Colonel Morden
Colonel Morden visits Clarissa, sends a servant to her uncle Antony's, and is visibly moved by her condition.
- Mrs. Lovick
Mrs. Lovick sat up with Clarissa and reports on her rest and pious frame.
- Mrs. Judith Norton
Clarissa has a letter ready for Mrs. Norton, which is sent via Colonel Morden's servant.
Key passages
“I beseech ye, my good friends, proceeded she, mourn not for one who mourns not, nor has cause to mourn, for herself. On the contrary, rejoice with me, that all my worldly troubles are so near to their end.”
She asks her friends not to grieve for her, as she herself does not mourn, and instead to celebrate that her earthly sufferings are almost over.
Clarissa comforts Belford and Morden, expressing her readiness for death.
“All I wished was pardon and blessing from my dear parents. Easy as my departure seems promised to be, it would have been still easier, had I that pleasure. But God Almighty would not let me depend for comfort upon any but Himself.”
She wishes for her parents' forgiveness, but acknowledges that God alone is her source of comfort.
Clarissa's longing for parental reconciliation is tempered by her reliance on divine grace.