Madame Duval Character Analysis in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Madame Duval is Caroline’s mother and Evelina’s grandmother. She’s from a poor family and met Evelina’s grandfather Mr. Evelyn when she was working as a barmaid. Madame Duval was beautiful but greedy and unrefined in her youth, and Mr. Evelyn died not long after marrying her. Madame Duval then moved to France and married a wealthy nobleman, abandoning Caroline and leaving Mr. Villars to raise her. After her husband dies, Madame Duval tries to get in contact with Evelina because she wants to sue Evelina’s estranged father, Sir John, and force him to give Evelina her inheritance. Although Madame Duval claims to have Evelina’s best interests in mind, really, she just wants part of Sir John’s money for herself. Madame Duval is also related to the Branghton family, who are similarly greedy and hope for a share of Sir John’s wealth through their connection to Evelina. When Mr. Villars will not let Madame Duval see Evelina, Madame Duval travels to London and tracks Evelina down herself. She’s extremely forceful and emotional: she shouts at and abuses people if she does not get her own way, and she often causes a scene in public through her loud and obnoxious behavior. Madame Duval is also very flirtatious with men and still dresses like a young woman even though she is middle-aged—she has a young lover, Monsieur Du Bois, who travels with her. Though Madame Duval believes that the English are snobbish and bad-mannered, she herself often behaves improperly and is very vain and arrogant. Despite this, Madame Duval often feels that people victimize her and treat her unfairly, and she does not take responsibility for her past decisions—like abandoning Caroline.

Madame Duval Quotes in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

The Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World quotes below are all either spoken by Madame Duval or refer to Madame Duval. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Sensibility, Etiquette, and Appearances Theme Icon

How often have I since regretted that I did not accompany her thither! protected and supported by me, the misery and disgrace which awaited her, might, perhaps, have been avoided.

Related Characters: Mr. Villars (speaker), Madame Duval, Lady Howard, Evelina, Caroline Belmont, Sir John Belmont, Mr. Evelyn

Page Number and Citation: 4

Explanation and Analysis:

She flew to me for protection. With what mixed transports of joy and anguish did I again see her! By my advice she endeavored to produce proofs of her marriage;—but in vain: her credulity had been no match for his art.

Related Characters: Mr. Villars (speaker), Madame Duval, Lady Howard, Evelina, Caroline Belmont, Sir John Belmont

Page Number and Citation: 5

Explanation and Analysis:

The more forcibly you are struck with improprieties and misconduct in another, the greater should be your observance and diligence to avoid even the shadow of similar error.

Related Characters: Mr. Villars (speaker), Sir John Belmont, Evelina, Madame Duval

Page Number and Citation: 45

Explanation and Analysis:

You will have occasion, in the course of the month you are to pass with Madame Duval, for all the circumspection and prudence you can call to your aid: she will not, I know, propose any thing to you which she thinks wrong herself; but you must learn not only to judge but to act for yourself if any schemes are started, any engagements made, which your understanding represents to you as improper, exert yourself resolutely in avoiding them, and do not, by a too passive facility, risk the censure of the world, or your own future regret.

Related Characters: Mr. Villars (speaker), Evelina, Madame Duval

Page Number and Citation: 156

Explanation and Analysis:

“O Sir, you're vastly polite, all of a sudden! but I know what it's all for;—it's only for what you can get!—you could treat me like nobody at Howard Grove—but now you see I've a house of my own you've a mind to wheedle yourself into it[.]”

Related Characters: Madame Duval (speaker), Evelina, Sir Clement Willoughby, Captain Mirvan

Page Number and Citation: 202-203

Explanation and Analysis:

Madame Duval Character Timeline in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

The timeline below shows where the character Madame Duval appears in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Innocence, Guidance, and Experience Theme Icon

...she has some bad news: she has received an angry letter from a woman named Madame Duval . Madame Duval has just discovered that her late daughter, Caroline Belmont, gave birth to... (full context)

Gender, Reputation, and Marriage Theme Icon

Inheritance, Class, and Nobility Theme Icon

Madame Duval says that if Mr. Villars can prove that Evelina really is her granddaughter, then he... (full context)

...he is her guardian and has raised her since childhood. Lady Howard also worries that Madame Duval is untrustworthy and would be a bad influence on Evelina. Lady Howard concludes her letter... (full context)

Mr. Villars writes back to Lady Howard. He hopes that Madame Duval ’s letter is a sign that she feels guilty for abandoning her daughter, Caroline. Mr.... (full context)

...once his young student whom Mr. Villars took traveling. Mr. Evelyn fell in love with Madame Duval , a barmaid, during this trip. He married her even though his friends, including Mr.... (full context)

...died, he begged Mr. Villars to look after his daughter, Caroline, who he had with Madame Duval . Mr. Evelyn did not want Caroline to be raised by Madame Duval, as he... (full context)

Mr. Villars loved Caroline and took good care of her. When Caroline was 18, Madame Duval (who was now married to a French nobleman in Paris) demanded that Mr. Villars send... (full context)

When Caroline arrived in France, Madame Duval tried to force her to marry one of her husband’s wealthy relatives. Caroline, frightened by... (full context)

...and Caroline. For this reason, Mr. Villars cannot bear to send Evelina to stay with Madame Duval and, in fact, barely lets her out of his sight at all. (full context)

...that Mr. Villars should not be worried that Evelina will accidentally bump into her grandmother, Madame Duval , in London, as Madame Duval lives abroad. Even if Madame Duval is in London,... (full context)

...he dares to do so, she will call the magistrate. She claims that her name— Madame Duval —is well-known in London. (full context)

When Evelina hears that the French woman’s name is Madame Duval , she realizes that the woman is her grandmother. Madame Duval strikes her as extremely... (full context)

The next day, Mrs. Mirvan accompanies Evelina to visit Madame Duval . During their tea, Madame Duval explains to Evelina that she is a widow and,... (full context)

Madame Duval , Evelina, and Mrs. Mirvan are interrupted by Captain Mirvan, who insults Madame Duval. Embarrassed,... (full context)

Mr. Villars is alarmed to hear that Evelina has met Madame Duval . He advises her to be polite to her grandmother, because ill-mannered people like Madame... (full context)

The next evening, Madame Duval and her French companion, a young man named Monsieur Du Bois, join Evelina and the... (full context)

...to go downstairs and greet Sir Clement, she finds him arguing with Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval over whether the English or the French have superior manners. Sir Clement, being English, sides... (full context)

...join them, to Evelina’s intense mortification. She is even more embarrassed when Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval begin to argue again. Evelina dreads to think what Lord Orville must make of them... (full context)

Captain Mirvan, Sir Clement, and Madame Duval continue to argue, and the Captain grows more and more irate. Flustered, Mrs. Mirvan invites... (full context)

Captain Mirvan, Sir Clement, and Madame Duval join Evelina and the others. They continue to bicker, however, and a dismayed Mrs.... (full context)

Evelina offers Madame Duval her seat in the Mirvan’s carriage—Evelina can travel with Sir Clement—but Mrs. Mirvan says that... (full context)

...speech and is relieved when the Mirvans enter and interrupt him. Evelina asks them where Madame Duval is, growing concerned that none of them know. Sir Clement, seeing Evelina’s distress, offers to... (full context)

Madame Duval complains that Monsieur Du Bois tried to carry her out of the rain but slipped... (full context)

The next morning, Evelina goes to visit Madame Duval . When she arrives, she is startled to find Monsieur Du Bois in Madame Duval’s... (full context)

Madame Duval insists that Evelina should stay with her all day, and she promises to introduce Evelina... (full context)

...never been anywhere else. Her younger sister, Polly, seems like a silly but well-meaning girl. Madame Duval introduces Evelina to the Branghtons as their cousin and tells them that Evelina’s existence was... (full context)

...Evelina is irritated because she senses that the Branghton children want to distract her while Madame Duval tells Mr. Branghton about her parentage. (full context)

...Branghton sisters follow and try to comfort her and bring her back into the parlor. Madame Duval is surprised by Evelina’s reaction. Evelina, meanwhile, cannot understand why Madame Duval put her in... (full context)

...Mr. Villars, whom Evelina deeply respects. After Lord Orville departs, Evelina gets ready to visit Madame Duval , but Mrs. Mirvan suggests that Madame Duval join them for dinner instead. Evelina is... (full context)

Madame Duval and Monsieur Du Bois arrive at the Mirvans’ for dinner. Captain Mirvan immediately begins to... (full context)

Captain Mirvan greets Sir Clement heartily, and Sir Clement immediately joins the Captain in teasing Madame Duval . Sir Clement makes a joke about Monsieur Du Bois dropping Madame Duval in a... (full context)

...it seems to lack substance, and Sir Clement is impressed by her naturally refined tastes. Madame Duval , however, says that this is the finest collection she has ever seen and is... (full context)

Madame Duval notices a music box shaped like a pineapple and delightedly begins to sing along with... (full context)

That evening, Madame Duval says she has a cold and goes home early. Evelina and the Mirvans have tickets... (full context)

...Maria join Mrs. Mirvan and Captain Mirvan for tea downstairs. They are interrupted, however, when Madame Duval bursts in and furiously berates Evelina for refusing to attend the opera with her. (full context)

Evelina is so shocked by Madame Duval ’s diatribe that she almost faints. Madame Duval storms out of the room, and Mrs.... (full context)

Evelina is too embarrassed to admit that she is related to Madame Duval . Meanwhile, Mrs. Mirvan hurries out of the room to try and appease Madame Duval.... (full context)

Evelina gets into Madame Duval ’s coach with her and the pair set off for the opera. Madame Duval continues... (full context)

...that she is not as refined as Evelina and therefore did not enjoy the music. Madame Duval remarks that she loves music but that she could not enjoy it sitting so far... (full context)

...safely. Sir Clement leaves next, and Mrs. Mirvan gently rebukes Evelina for running away from Madame Duval . Mrs. Mirvan also adds that Lord Orville was extremely worried about her. (full context)

...for her. Evelina and the Mirvans plan to leave London in a few days’ time. Madame Duval will dine with them once more before they go. (full context)

Madame Duval comes for dinner and is extremely angry with Evelina for leaving her at the opera.... (full context)

...received one of his letters. She is grateful for his continued support and thinks that Madame Duval is a poor guardian compared very poorly to him. Her last outing in London with... (full context)

...writes to Evelina at Howard Grove, where she is now staying with the Mirvans and Madame Duval . Mr. Villars writes to say that he has enjoyed her letters, even though at... (full context)

...return to Howard Grove with the Mirvans has not been as pleasant as she expected: Madame Duval is with them, and she and Captain Mirvan fight constantly. Their bickering began the morning... (full context)

...ride to Howard Grove, while a carriage is prepared for Mrs. Mirvan, Maria, Evelina, and Madame Duval . When Monsieur Du Bois climbs into the coach with the ladies, Captain Mirvan roughly... (full context)

...Mr. Villars to tell him that she is very alarmed. One evening at Howard Grove, Madame Duval called her into her room and told Evelina that she had a surprise for her.... (full context)

Madame Duval says that once Evelina has claimed her rightful place as Sir John Belmont’s heir, Madame... (full context)

Evelina is upset by Madame Duval ’s scheme to track down Sir John and demand Evelina’s inheritance. She’s also offended by... (full context)

Lady Howard writes to Mr. Villars and tells him about Madame Duval ’s plan to sue Sir John, Evelina’s father, for the inheritance he owes Evelina. Lady... (full context)

However, Mr. Villars now sees that protecting Evelina is impossible and that Madame Duval will resort to violence and manipulation if she cannot get her own way. Mr. Villars... (full context)

...immediately begins to plan an elaborate prank that he and Sir Clement can play on Madame Duval . (full context)

...whom he saw being arrested just before he left London to come to Howard Grove. Madame Duval turns pale and asks if the Frenchman’s name was Du Bois. Sir Clement says that... (full context)

...he thinks Monsieur Du Bois will be hung, and Sir Clement says it is possible. Madame Duval rushes from the table and says that she must go to London immediately to defend... (full context)

Madame Duval decides that she does not believe Sir Clement and Captain Mirvan’s story about Monsieur Du... (full context)

Madame Duval shows Lady Howard, Evelina, and Mrs. Mirvan the letter she has just received. It is... (full context)

Madame Duval begs Lady Howard to let her use a carriage to visit the County Justice. Lady... (full context)

Madame Duval also receives a note from the servant, which tells her that Monsieur Du Bois has... (full context)

Madame Duval is afraid at the prospect of robbers, so she makes one of the coachmen sit... (full context)

...he and Sir Clement ride off together. Evelina gets out of the coach and discovers Madame Duval tied up in a ditch, hysterical with rage and fright. Her clothes are ruined, her... (full context)

Once Evelina and Madame Duval are back in the carriage, Madame Duval bursts into tears again and cries that the... (full context)

When Evelina and Madame Duval arrive home, Madame Duval sneaks up to her room because she does not want Captain... (full context)

The next morning at breakfast, Captain Mirvan and Sir Clement begin to torment Madame Duval once more. Evelina speaks to Mrs. Mirvan again, but Mrs. Mirvan says there is nothing... (full context)

...down Captain Mirvan and Sir Clement in the garden and plead with them to leave Madame Duval alone. Captain Mirvan is surly about this—but Sir Clement agrees that they have teased Madame... (full context)

When Evelina leaves Madame Duval , Sir Clement meets her on the stairs and asks to speak to her alone.... (full context)

...situation than she is, she cannot help but feel sad because her father disowns her. Madame Duval is furious and intends to take Evelina to Paris with her—against Evelina’s will—to pursue a... (full context)

Mr. Villars writes back to Evelina and says that if Madame Duval wants to take Evelina away with her, she must come and speak to him about... (full context)

Mr. Villars writes to Lady Howard to tell her that Madame Duval came to see him and rudely attacked him for refusing to let Evelina go with... (full context)

...money, he does not feel that it is his place to prevent Evelina from receiving Madame Duval ’s fortune. Evelina’s future poverty may further impact who she marries and what society thinks... (full context)

Mr. Villars writes to Evelina expressing his regret that she must go stay with Madame Duval in London. However, Mr. Villars says that this will be a good opportunity for Evelina... (full context)

Evelina writes to Mr. Villars from London. She and Madame Duval are staying near the Branghtons, and Mr. Branghton shows them to their lodgings when they... (full context)

...Mr. Brown. Miss Branghton and Polly seem quite ashamed that Evelina should see their rooms. Madame Duval tells them all about the trick that Captain Mirvan played on her to convince her... (full context)

...with Lord Orville, who was so charming, refined, and considerate compared to the Branghtons and Madame Duval . Evelina hopes that she will not meet any of Mrs. Mirvan’s acquaintances in town,... (full context)

...writes to Mr. Villars and tells him about the previous evening that she spent with Madame Duval , Monsieur Du Bois, and the Branghtons. When they arrived at Mr. Branghton’s house, Evelina,... (full context)

Evelina, Madame Duval , and the Branghtons are then invited for tea with the Branghton’s neighbor, Mr. Smith.... (full context)

...He is shocked when Evelina says that he is rude because he did not ask Madame Duval ’s permission first. Mr. Smith then apologizes to Madame Duval and flatters her until she... (full context)

...has been involved in a shocking incident and has saved a person’s life. That morning, Madame Duval sends her to call upon the Branghtons, but Miss Branghton and Polly are not home... (full context)

The next evening, the Branghtons dine with Evelina at Madame Duval ’s house. Mr. Branghton says that he wants to throw Mr. Macartney out of his... (full context)

The next day, Madame Duval again sends Evelina to visit the Branghtons and make plans for the evening. Monsieur Du... (full context)

...with Monsieur Du Bois, who is also shocked by their rudeness. When Evelina gets home, Madame Duval angrily insists that Evelina must join the party that evening, so she is forced to... (full context)

The next evening, Evelina, the Branghtons, Madame Duval , Monsieur Du Bois, and Mr. Smith go to Vauxhall Gardens. Although the garden is... (full context)

...they take Evelina for a walk in the Gardens. Evelina is reluctant to go, but Madame Duval insists, and Polly and Miss Branghton lead Evelina down one of the dark alleyways. They... (full context)

...they pull up outside their lodgings and sees the surprised look on Sir Clement’s face. Madame Duval hates Sir Clement, however, so Evelina says that he will not be invited to visit. (full context)

The next morning, the Branghtons descend upon Evelina and Madame Duval at breakfast and demand to know who Sir Clement is. Tom thinks he must be... (full context)

Madame Duval coldly replies that she does not have any messages for Sir Clement. Much to her... (full context)

Sir Clement insists that Madame Duval must have him mixed up with somebody else, but Madame Duval replies that she knows... (full context)

A few nights later, Evelina, Madame Duval , Monsieur Du Bois, and the Branghtons again congregate in the Branghton’s shop. Mr. Macartney... (full context)

...Mr. Smith arrives with tickets for the ball to which he has invited Evelina and Madame Duval . Evelina is disappointed that she must go with Mr. Smith and notices, at dinner... (full context)

Madame Duval announces that she will dance at the ball with Mr. Smith—who looks alarmed—and Tom bursts... (full context)

Evelina is relieved when, at the ball, Madame Duval says that she will dance the first two dances with Mr. Smith, who had planned... (full context)

...would choose Evelina above all. Evelina, annoyed at his presumptuous attitude, goes to stand with Madame Duval and refuses to dance or speak to Mr. Smith again for the rest of the... (full context)

A few nights later, Evelina, Madame Duval , Monsieur Du Bois, Mr. Smith, Mr. Brown, and the Branghtons visit Marybone Gardens to... (full context)

...Evelina spots Mr. Brown and bursts away from the two ladies to take his arm. Madame Duval , Miss Branghton, and Polly appear, and although Evelina tries to leave the two women... (full context)

...Orville has seen her with a prostitute, Evelina rushes away from the woman and takes Madame Duval ’s arm. Lord Orville, who notices this and looks concerned, walks over again and asks... (full context)

When Lord Orville has gone, Evelina goes down to breakfast with Madame Duval . During breakfast, Madame Duval abruptly announces that, if Evelina cannot be reunited with her... (full context)

The next day, Evelina, Madame Duval , the Branghtons, and Monsieur Du Bois go for a walk in Kensington Gardens. Evelina... (full context)

Miss Branghton quickly tells the others, and Madame Duval suggests that they ask Lord Orville’s coachmen to let them borrow the carriage to go... (full context)

Lord Orville’s coachmen drop Madame Duval and Evelina off and then give the Branghtons a lift home. The next day, Tom... (full context)

...took it. But on the stairs, she sees Sir Clement, who has come to visit. Madame Duval has forbidden her from seeing Sir Clement, so Evelina hides upstairs until he is gone.... (full context)

...then chooses to follow Evelina into the drawing room and confess his love for her. Madame Duval walks in on them, and a dreadful scene ensues. Madame Duval furiously dismisses Monsieur Du... (full context)

...Louisa has rested, the group goes out to tour Bath. Captain Mirvan is disappointed that Madame Duval is not there, since he loves making fun of her. Captain Mirvan begins to tease... (full context)

...letters: one from Mrs. Mirvan, which wishes her well in her marriage, and one from Madame Duval . Madame Duval writes that she has a cold and cannot come to Evelina’s wedding... (full context)

Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Madame Duval Character Analysis

Madame Duval Quotes in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Volume 1, Letter 2 Quotes

Volume 1, Letter 15 Quotes

Volume 2, Letter 8 Quotes

Volume 2, Letter 16 Quotes

Madame Duval Character Timeline in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World