Sex seems to be the focus of Letters 102-105 in volume 3 of Clarissa. Sex on the part of Lovelace, that is. Clarissa, on the other hand is pure, and Lovelace wants to take her virginity.

            In Clarissa’s letter, one-hundred two, to her sister, Miss Arabella Harlowe, she takes a stand against the treatment her family has given her. At this point in the epistolary novel, Clarissa is not fearful of or angry with Lovelace; she has no idea what he is capable of.  In fact, as a contrast to life at home, she is pleased with her newfound lifestyle. She asks Arabella to send her belongings which proves that Clarissa does not feel threatened and that she plans to stay for some time.

            Clarissa is in contrast with Lovelace; she is virtuous, chaste, and pure. Lovelace, on the other hand, has different plans on his mind. He states that he will have “victory over this proud beauty” (Richardson 412). By the word “victory,” Lovelace speaks about sex; he plans to have “victory” over Clarissa’s body. Lovelace also tells John Belford that he wishes to “subdue this lady” (Richardson 413). Lovelace wants nothing more than to take Clarissa in the bedroom.

            Lovelace constantly interrupts his own sentences to speak of Clarissa. As he writes of other topics, Lovelace always diverts the letters and attention back to the subject: Clarissa, and thus, sex. Lovelace believes that he is “a very clever fellow” (Richardson 416). He feels that he can control both Clarissa and her dear friend, Miss Howe. In this belief, Lovelace will conquer Clarissa and this will be his first step toward his goal: to take the chastity of her. Lovelace says of the women, “Who would not wish to outwit the girls, and to be able to twirl them around his finger” (Richardson 416). Lovelace strives to maintain power over Clarissa in every way. Lovelace believes that if he gains all the status and control, he will eventually be able to conquer Clarissa in more ways than one; most importantly, in the bedroom.