Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 487: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Belford writes to Lovelace describing the arrival of Mrs. Norton, who is overcome with grief upon learning of Clarissa's death. She views the corpse, bathes it with tears, and laments the loss. Belford informs her of Clarissa's legacy and encourages her to prepare mourning attire. Colonel Morden plans to accompany the hearse and take a copy of the will and the posthumous letter to the family. Belford reflects on the divine nature of Clarissa's posthumous letters, which offer comfort rather than reproach.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Mrs. Norton's grief and Clarissa's posthumous letters offering comfort rather than reproach highlight themes of suffering and spiritual redemption.
Friendship and Loyalty
Belford's friendship with Colonel Morden and his care for Mrs. Norton demonstrate loyalty and support in the aftermath of Clarissa's death.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Narrates the letter, describes Mrs. Norton's grief, and arranges mourning preparations.
- Mrs. Judith Norton
Arrives at the house, collapses in grief, views Clarissa's corpse, and laments her loss.
- Colonel Morden
Plans to attend the hearse and take a copy of the will and posthumous letter to the family.
- Mrs. Smith
Present with Mrs. Lovick, in tears, and informs Mrs. Norton of Clarissa's death.
- Mrs. Lovick
Present with Mrs. Smith, in tears, and assists in the scene with Mrs. Norton.
Key passages
“Poor Mrs. Norton is come. She was set down at the door; and would have gone upstairs directly. But Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lovick being together and in tears, and the former hinting too suddenly to the truly-venerable woman the fatal news, she sunk down at her feet in fits; so that they were forced to breath a vein to bring her to herself, and to a capacity of exclamation; and then she ran on to Mrs. Lovick and me, who entered just as she recovered, in praise of the lady, in lamentations for her, and invectives against you; but yet so circumscribed were her invectives, that I could observe in them the woman well educated, and in her lamentations the passion Christianized, as I may say.”
Mrs. Norton arrived and tried to go upstairs immediately, but Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Lovick, already in tears, broke the news too abruptly, causing her to faint. They had to bleed her to revive her, after which she praised Clarissa, lamented her death, and criticized Lovelace, though her criticism was restrained and dignified.
Belford describes Mrs. Norton's arrival and her reaction to the news of Clarissa's death.
“With trembling impatience she pushed aside the coffin-lid. She bathed the face with her tears, and kissed her cheeks and forehead, as if she were living. It was she indeed! she said; her sweet young lady! her very self! Nor had death, which changed all things, a power to alter her lovely features! She admired the serenity of her aspect.”
She eagerly opened the coffin, wept over Clarissa's face, and kissed her as if she were alive, marveling that death had not changed her beautiful features and peaceful expression.
Mrs. Norton's emotional viewing of Clarissa's corpse.