Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 396: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace angrily responds to Belford's delivery of his private letters to Clarissa, vowing to have her despite her resistance.
What happens
Lovelace angrily responds to Belford's delivery of his private letters to Clarissa, vowing to have her despite her resistance. He threatens to burn down the brothel if she rejects his next letter, and insists he will be her sole executor, refusing to let Belford take that role.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Clarissa, desp…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Power and Manipulation
Lovelace asserts his control over Clarissa's fate, threatening violence and refusing to allow Belford to be her executor.
- Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa's suffering is evident as she is denied peace and autonomy, while Lovelace's threats compound her distress.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Writes angrily to Belford, expressing his determination to possess Clarissa and threatening violence if rejected.
- John Belford
Recipient of the letter; Lovelace rebukes him for delivering private extracts to Clarissa.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Referenced as the object of Lovelace's obsession; she has refused his letters and seeks Belford as her executor.
- Mrs. Sinclair
Implied as the 'cursed mother' whose den Lovelace threatens to burn.
Key passages
“And have her I will, though I marry her in the agonies of death.”
I am determined to possess her, even if I have to marry her as she lies dying.
Lovelace's obsessive resolve to claim Clarissa regardless of her condition.
“I will overcome the creeping folly that has found its way to my heart, or I will tear it out in her presence, and throw it at hers, that she may see how much more tender than her own that organ is.”
I will either conquer this foolish love or rip my heart out in front of her to prove it is softer than hers.
Lovelace's dramatic threat to demonstrate his emotional pain through self-harm.
“the first vengeance I shall take will be to set fire to that den of serpents.”
My first act of revenge will be to burn down that house of wicked women.
Lovelace threatens arson against Mrs. Sinclair's brothel if Clarissa rejects him.
