Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 508: Colonel Morden, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Colonel Morden recounts the reading of Clarissa's will to the Harlowe family.
What happens
Colonel Morden recounts the reading of Clarissa's will to the Harlowe family. The family is deeply affected by her generous and forgiving bequests, leading to self-accusations and mutual upbraidings. Morden observes the true feelings of the family members, noting their grudges against certain bequests and their attempts to exonerate themselves by cursing Lovelace. He resolves to ensure Clarissa's wishes are carried out, particularly regarding the library for Dolly Hervey.
Themes in this chapter
Family Obligation and Rebellion
Clarissa's will demonstrates her enduring duty and love for her family despite their mistreatment, while the family's reactions reveal their conflicted sense of obligation and guilt.
Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's forgiveness and generous bequests serve as a form of redemption, striking remorse into the hearts of her family and highlighting her transcendence of suffering.
Class and Social Reputation
The family's concern over pecuniary bequests and the library reflects their preoccupation with social standing and material wealth, even in the face of Clarissa's death.
Characters to notice
- Colonel Morden
Narrates the reading of Clarissa's will, observing the family's reactions and resolving to enforce her wishes.
- John Belford
Recipient of the letter; Morden updates him on the will reading and his observations.
- Arabella Harlowe
Sobs during the reading; grudges the library bequest to Dolly Hervey; expresses regret over a letter she influenced.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Looks down during the reading; reproached by his father; shows himself a 'true will disputant' by grudging bequests.
- Mrs. Norton
Absent from the reading by choice; receives bequest of clothes, thirty guineas for mourning, and recommendation as housekeeper.
- Dolly Hervey
Grudged the library bequest by Arabella; Morden intends to ensure she receives it.
Key passages
“The first words of the will—'I, Clarissa Harlowe, now by strange melancholy accidents, lodging,' etc. drew tears from some, sighs from all.”
The opening of Clarissa's will, describing her current situation due to unfortunate events, moved the family to tears and sighs.
Highlights the emotional impact of Clarissa's words on her family during the reading.
“How wounding a thing, Mr. Belford, is a generous and well-distinguished forgiveness! What revenge can be more effectual, and more noble, were revenge intended, and were it wished to strike remorse into a guilty or ungrateful heart!”
A generous and thoughtful forgiveness is more powerful and noble than revenge, as it instills deep remorse in the guilty.
Morden reflects on the power of Clarissa's forgiveness as a form of moral triumph over her family and Lovelace.
“But little does Mr. James Harlowe think that, while he is grasping at hundreds, he will, most probably, lose thousands, if he be my survivor. A man of a spirit so selfish and narrow shall not be my heir.”
James Harlowe, in his greed for small gains, risks losing a much larger inheritance from Morden, who refuses to make such a selfish man his heir.
Morden criticizes James's narrow-mindedness and hints at future consequences for his behavior.