Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 471: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Belford reports to Lovelace on Clarissa's serene state despite her declining health.
What happens
Belford reports to Lovelace on Clarissa's serene state despite her declining health. She expresses peace with her impending death, forgiveness, and a desire for her family to be comforted. Belford is deeply affected by her virtue and holiness.
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 Falling 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
- Suffering and Redemption
Clarissa reflects on her sufferings as working out her everlasting happiness, emphasizing redemption through endurance.
- Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa's serene acceptance of death and her assertion of having offered no injuries highlight her virtuous agency.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Serenely cheerful, dressed in white satin, experiencing increased dimness of eyes and tremor, at peace with her dying state.
- John Belford
Reports to Lovelace, attends Clarissa, deeply moved by her virtue and holiness.
- Robert Lovelace
Recipient of Belford's letter; Belford notes his lack of serenity compared to Clarissa.
- Mrs. Lovick
Observes Clarissa's temporary tranquillity as a 'lightening' before her fainting fit.
- Mrs. Smith
Also observes Clarissa's condition and the fainting fit.
Key passages
“If this be dying, said she, there is nothing at all shocking in it. My body hardly sensible of pain, my mind at ease, my intellects clear and perfect as ever.”
Clarissa says that if this is what dying is like, it is not frightening at all; she feels little physical pain, her mind is calm, and her thoughts remain clear.
Clarissa expresses peace with her approaching death.
“I have rather suffered injuries myself , than offered them to others.”
Clarissa states that she has preferred to endure harm rather than cause harm to others.
Clarissa reflects on her moral choices.
“Her late tranquillity and freedom from pain seemed but a lightening , as Mrs. Lovick and Mrs. Smith call it.”
Her recent calm and lack of pain appeared to be only a brief respite, as Mrs. Lovick and Mrs. Smith describe it.
Belford notes that Clarissa's peaceful state was temporary.
