Clarissa · Character

Mrs. Lovick

The kind widow who takes Clarissa in during her final weeks, one of the few people in London who treats her as a person rather than a prize.

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Lovick, widow Lovick, Lovick

First appearance: clarissa

As a supporting figure in Clarissa, Mrs. Lovick is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A widow lodging in the same house, described as pious, prudent, and of good understanding; Clarissa intends to become well acquainted with her.

In the storyLetter 320: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss HoweOpen this moment free

See Mrs. Lovick in Letter 320: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe Book page

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Mrs. Lovick keeps the lodging house where Clarissa spends her last days, and she becomes one of the small circle of women — with Mrs. Smith and the nurse — who surround her at the end. She is not a schemer and not a saint, just a decent woman who recognizes suffering when she sees it and refuses to look away. Her presence matters because it shows that Clarissa, abandoned by her family and hunted by Lovelace, is not entirely alone in the world; the tenderness of these ordinary women stands in quiet rebuke to the great names who failed her.

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See Mrs. Lovick in clarissa

Character Web

9 connections

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Relationship types

Other

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Minor characters and background figures
Major characters and antagonists

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Clarissa, desp…

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In the story

Mrs. Lovick appears across 27 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Letter 320: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
A widow lodging in the same house, described as pious, prudent, and of good understanding; Clarissa intends to become well acquainted with her.
Letter 338: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
A widow gentlewoman lodging above Clarissa; provides voluntary care and writes a letter from Clarissa's dictation to Miss Howe.
Letter 340: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Attends Clarissa during her illness, offers to lend her money, and helps take inventory of her belongings.
Letter 345: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Sells Clarissa's lace for fifteen guineas to repay borrowed money for doctor's fees.
Letter 348: Mr. Belford, to Mr. Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Mrs. Lovick is present during Belford's visit, gently noting Clarissa's excessive writing.
Letter 349: Mr. Belford
Present during Clarissa's revelation; deeply affected by her speech.
Letter 365: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Informs Belford of Clarissa's sale of clothes and her benefactress's reaction.
Letter 370: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Mentioned as a good woman; Lovelace plans to use her to gain access to Clarissa in disguise.
Letter 385: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Belford sent to her to inquire about Clarissa's health.
Letter 399: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Reports on Clarissa's condition and shares the meditation Clarissa composed.
Letter 418: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
A widow gentlewoman lodging in the same house; she speaks with Lovelace, defends Clarissa, and shows him Clarissa's meditation. She weeps for Clarissa's suffering.
Letter 426: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Supports Clarissa to church and is present during Belford's visit, weeping at Clarissa's condition.
Letter 450: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Mrs. Lovick is similarly shocked and distressed by the premature arrival of the coffin.
Letter 451: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Accompanies Belford to view the coffin devices and records Clarissa's noble answer about death.
Letter 452: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Attends Clarissa and describes her condition to Belford.
Letter 457: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Assists Clarissa, reports a fine conversation to Belford.
Letter 460: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Present with Clarissa, reports her gentle exclamations while reading Mrs. Norton's letter.
Letter 464: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Attends Clarissa, reports on her condition, and provides Belford with a copy of Clarissa's letter.
Letter 467: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Reports Clarissa's serene slumber and provides updates on her condition.
Letter 471: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Observes Clarissa's temporary tranquillity as a 'lightening' before her fainting fit.
Letter 473: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Reads Anna's letter aloud to Clarissa and writes down Clarissa's dictated reply.
Letter 474: Mr. Belford
Attends Clarissa tenderly; is present during her dozing and helps her prepare for Morden's visit.
Letter 475: Mr. Belford
Mrs. Lovick sat up with Clarissa and reports on her rest and pious frame.
Letter 481: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Sits by the bed, overwhelmed with grief, and announces Belford's arrival.
Letter 486: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Present at the viewing of the corpse and the reading of the will; deeply affected by the bequests.
Letter 487: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Present with Mrs. Smith, in tears, and assists in the scene with Mrs. Norton.
Letter 516: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Mentioned as Belford's clerk in conscience; Lovelace jests about Belford marrying her.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Lovick in clarissa

See Mrs. Lovick in Letter 320: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe