Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 521: Mr. Belford, to Miss Howe explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Belford sends Miss Howe copies of Clarissa's posthumous letters and a copy of Lovelace's remorseful letter, along with Colonel Morden's letters. He reports the deaths of Mrs. Sinclair and Captain Tomlinson, both of whom died in agony and remorse for their roles in Clarissa's tragedy. Belford gently chides Miss Howe for not fulfilling Clarissa's last requests, particularly regarding Mr. Hickman.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Redemption
Lovelace's deep remorse and the deaths of Sinclair and Tomlinson in agony illustrate the theme of suffering and the possibility of redemption through acknowledgment of guilt.
Friendship and Loyalty
Belford's respectful reproach to Miss Howe highlights the expectation of loyalty to Clarissa's last wishes, testing the bonds of friendship.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Writes to Miss Howe, sending copies of Clarissa's posthumous letters and Lovelace's remorseful letter, and reports the deaths of Sinclair and Tomlinson.
- Anna Howe
Recipient of the letter; Belford gently reproaches her for not fulfilling Clarissa's last requests regarding Mr. Hickman.
- Robert Lovelace
His letter of deep remorse is enclosed; he suffers from dreadful anguish and has asked for the letter back.
- Colonel Morden
His letters are enclosed, with some parts omitted due to his animadversions on Miss Howe's inaction.
- Mrs. Sinclair
Died in extreme tortures and despondency, accusing herself for her role against Clarissa.
Key passages
“I do myself the honour to send you by this, according to my promise, 411 copies of the posthumous letters written by your exalted friend.”
I am sending you, as promised, 411 copies of the letters your noble friend wrote before her death.
Belford fulfills his promise to distribute Clarissa's posthumous letters.
“The wretched woman died in the extremest tortures and despondency: the man from wounds got in defending himself in carrying on a contraband trade; both accusing themselves, in their last hours, for the parts they had acted against the most excellent of women, as of the crime that gave them the deepest remorse.”
The miserable woman died in great pain and despair, and the man died from wounds received while defending his illegal smuggling; both confessed on their deathbeds that their worst crime was how they treated the most virtuous woman.
Belford reports the deaths of Sinclair and Tomlinson, emphasizing their remorse.