# Postscript Referred to in the Preface explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

The author defends the tragic ending of Clarissa against critics who desired a 'fortunate ending' or marriage between Lovelace and Clarissa. He argues that poetic justice is served through the exemplary punishments of Lovelace, the Harlowe family, Tomlinson, Sinclair, and others, while virtuous characters like Miss Howe, Mr. Hickman, Belford, and Mrs. Norton are rewarded. He also addresses objections to Clarissa's perceived coldness in love, explaining that she was intended to be in 'liking only' and that her restraint is consistent with her character. The author further defends the portrayal of Lovelace as a practical rather than theoretical infidel, and Mr. Hickman's meekness as a sign of modesty rather than weakness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's triumphant death is presented as enviable, and her piety and resignation are rewarded by Heaven; Lovelace's punishment is brought on through his own corrupted agents.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

The author argues that Clarissa's apparent coldness is misunderstood; her difficult situation makes seeming occasions for censure unavoidable.

### Class and Social Reputation

The author defends Mr. Hickman's character against charges of tameness, noting that modest and diffident men wear off precisenesses slowly, while the confident get over them quickly.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Defended as not being in love but in 'liking only'; her piety, charity, virtue, humility, forgiving spirit, meekness, and resignation are praised; her death is described as triumphant and enviable.

### Robert Lovelace

Portrayed as a great wilful transgressor who is condignly punished; his villainous views and remorses are highlighted; he is an infidel only in practice, not in belief.

### Anna Howe

Rewarded for her noble friendship to Clarissa; her lively and sometimes ludicrous treatment of Mr. Hickman and her mother is noted.

### John Belford

Described as repentant and not ungenerous; he speaks of Mr. Hickman with honour and respect.

### Mr. Hickman

Defended against objections to his meekness; his unexceptionable morals and integrity are praised; he is made signally happy.

### Mrs. Norton

Described as worthy and made signally happy.

## Key lines

> is not Mr. Lovelace, who could persevere in his villainous views, against the strongest and most frequent convictions and remorses that ever were sent to awaken and reclaim a wicked man⁠—is not this great, this wilful transgressor condignly punished

Lovelace, despite experiencing many powerful moments of remorse, continued his evil plans and was justly punished.

_The author defends the poetic justice of Lovelace's fate._

> It was not intended that she should be in love , but in liking only, if that expression may be admitted.

Clarissa was not meant to be deeply in love with Lovelace, but merely to have a mild preference for him.

_The author clarifies Clarissa's emotional state to counter objections about her coldness._

> A verse may find him who a sermon flies, And turn delight into a sacrifice.

Poetry can reach a person who avoids sermons, transforming entertainment into a spiritual offering.

_The author explains his method of using amusement to convey Christian teachings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/postscript-referred-to-in-the-preface
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters