# Dorcas Wykes — Clarissa character guide

> Dorcas Wykes in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dorcas, Dorcas Wykes, Dorcas Martindale

**First appearance:** 0001-clarissa

## Snapshot

A servant planted in Mrs. Sinclair's house who cannot read, making her the perfect silent witness to Clarissa's most private griefs.

## Who they are

Lovelace installs Dorcas as Clarissa's maid precisely because she is illiterate, a kinswoman of Mrs. Sinclair who can be trusted to see everything and report it. She is neat, modest-seeming, and 'not to be corrupted' — which is exactly what makes her dangerous, since her loyalty runs to the schemers rather than the lady. Clarissa's instinctive shrinking from her at first meeting proves one of the few sympathies in the book that is entirely correct.

## In the story

### [Letter 154: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-154-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Introduced as a maidservant to Clarissa under the alias Dorcas; she is illiterate, chosen to control Clarissa's correspondence, and is described as 'not to be corrupted.'

### [Letter 155: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-155-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Introduced as a servant for Clarissa; Clarissa notes her 'sly eye' and genteel appearance.

### [Letter 157: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-157-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Delivers Lovelace's compliments to Clarissa.

### [Letter 162: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-162-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Mentioned as a servant who might be put to share a bed with Miss Partington.

### [Letter 167: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-167-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as the maidservant with whom Miss Partington was forced to crowd into a press-bed.

### [Letter 174: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-174-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Lovelace's servant, instructed to spy on Clarissa, search her belongings, and feign illiteracy to avoid suspicion.

### [Letter 175: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-175-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Servant who alerts Lovelace to the opportunity to steal Clarissa's letter.

### [Letter 178: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-178-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Dorcas is called by Lovelace to bring his sword and hat during the confrontation with Clarissa.

### [Letter 184: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-184-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Reports Lovelace's impatience and relays messages between Clarissa and him.

### [Letter 185: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-185-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Mentioned as bringing Lovelace's request for Clarissa's company in the morning.

### [Letter 186: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-186-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Delivers Lovelace's proposals to Clarissa.

### [Letter 195: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-195-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Clarissa pities her neglected education and reflects on her illiteracy and indocility.

### [Letter 198: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-198-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Assists Lovelace by secretly copying Clarissa's letters and providing extracts.

### [Letter 199: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-199-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Transcribed the intercepted letter for Lovelace.

### [Letter 200: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-200-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Acts as intermediary between Clarissa and Lovelace, reporting his moods and messages.

### [Letter 202: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-202-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Transcribes Clarissa's paper for Lovelace; reports that Clarissa is not well.

### [Letter 204: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-204-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Questioned by a man of good appearance about whether Lovelace and Clarissa are married.

### [Letter 205: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-205-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Delivers Clarissa's sealed letter back to Lovelace.

### [Letter 209: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-209-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Planned to represent Lovelace as very ill as part of his feigned sickness scheme.

### [Letter 211: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-211-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Follows Lovelace's instructions to feign distress and secretly inform Clarissa of his 'illness,' playing a key role in the deception.

### [Letter 213: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-213-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Reports the servant's first and second visits, adding her own conjectures.

### [Letter 214: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-214-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Servant who announces Captain Tomlinson's arrival, causing alarm.

### [Letter 220: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-220-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as delivering messages to Clarissa.

### [Letter 224: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-224-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Lovelace's servant, asked if his beloved has kept her word to retire.

### [Letter 225: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-225-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Raises the alarm of fire at Lovelace's direction; later praised by him for her 'tender regard' for Clarissa.

### [Letter 226: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-226-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Servant who taps at Clarissa's door and later receives her billet for Lovelace.

### [Letter 227: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-227-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Acts as intermediary, delivering billets between Lovelace and Clarissa.

### [Letter 228: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-228-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Lovelace's servant; she is locked up after the escape, having been involved in attending Clarissa.

### [Letter 230: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-230-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Implied to be complicit in the plot; she cried 'fire' and then abandoned Clarissa.

### [Letter 251: Mr. Lovelace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-251-mr-lovelace)

Referred to as Margaret; the maid who helps Lovelace by fetching the messenger and later entertaining him.

### [Letter 260: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-260-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as the servant who preceded Lovelace into Clarissa's apartment.

### [Letter 261: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-261-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Provides account of Clarissa's behavior; Lovelace mentions her teasing Clarissa.

### [Letter 262: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-262-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Scolded for allowing Clarissa to reach the passage; reports Clarissa's movements to Lovelace.

### [Letter 264: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-264-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Dorcas reports Clarissa's movements, weeps for her, and is instructed by Lovelace to feign compassion to gain Clarissa's trust.

### [Letter 265: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-265-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Dorcas acts as intermediary, reporting Clarissa's suspicions and pleas for pacification. She hints at Lord M.'s illness to Clarissa.

### [Letter 267: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-267-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Gains Clarissa's confidence by feigning sympathy; interposes herself between Lovelace and Clarissa during the confrontation.

### [Letter 268: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-268-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as the servant to whom Clarissa says her heart is broken.

### [Letter 269: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-269-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

The servant to whom Clarissa gives a signed note promising future provision in exchange for assistance in her escape.

### [Letter 270: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-270-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Feigns compassion and gains Clarissa's trust by pretending to be a fellow victim; she is a key instrument in Lovelace's plot.

### [Letter 271: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-271-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Lovelace's servant, who in the dream acts as a traitress to gain Clarissa's trust.

### [Letter 272: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-272-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Reports Clarissa's condition to Lovelace and is involved in his schemes.

### [Letter 273: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-273-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Acted as Lovelace's implement in the plot to lure Clarissa into the chariot; Clarissa doubts her loyalty.

### [Letter 274: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-274-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as having seen the letter from Captain Tomlinson.

### [Letter 275: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-275-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as having a searching conversation with Clarissa and attempting to reassure her, though Lovelace is uncertain of her success.

### [Letter 278: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-278-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Informs Clarissa of Simon's arrival and is instructed on how to manage Simon's answers to Clarissa's questions.

### [Letter 279: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-279-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as the servant who might drop the promissory note to create a pretext for Lovelace.

### [Letter 280: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-280-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Dorcas is called in by Lovelace and offered as a servant to attend Clarissa at Hampstead.

### [Letter 281: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-281-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Accused of taking a bribe from Clarissa; she feigns loyalty but is terrified during the confrontation and ultimately slinks away.

### [Letter 282: Mr. Lovelace, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-282-mr-lovelace-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe)

Mentioned as having dropped a paper that Lovelace picked up; she confessed she would have helped Clarissa escape; Lovelace has barred her from attending Clarissa until she clears her conduct.

### [Letter 291: To Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-291-to-robert-lovelace-esq)

Servant involved in the high words and confusion.

### [Letter 293: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-293-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq)

Servant who locks the street-parlour door to prevent Clarissa's escape.

### [Letter 294: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-294-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq)

Mentioned as one of the servants who failed to prevent Clarissa's escape.

### [Letter 314: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-314-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe)

Servant at the brothel who assists in the deception and provides snuff to Clarissa.

### [Letter 315: Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-315-miss-clarissa-harlowe)

Clarissa suspects Dorcas dropped the promissory note on purpose to betray her.

### [Letter 333: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-333-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq)

Recommended the messenger who was beaten by Lovelace; she expected a share of the bounty.

### [Letter 334: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-334-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq)

Mentioned as having discovered Clarissa at her lodgings and given direction to Belford.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/dorcas_wykes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters