As an epistolary novel made up of letters written by eight different characters, Evelina has a variety of writing styles contained within it. All of the letters are, naturally, written in first person, but the different characters have unique writing voices and styles.
As the primary senders and recipients of letters in the novel, Evelina and Mr. Villars deserve the most attention. Evelina’s writing style, on the whole, is deeply emotional. For example, when writing to Mr. Villars about Mr. Macartney, she writes with immense sympathy:
The rashness and the misery of this ill-fated young man, engross all my thoughts. If, indeed, he is bent upon destroying himself, all efforts to save him will be fruitless. How much do I wish it were in my power to discover the nature of the malady which thus maddens him, and to offer or to procure alleviation to his sufferings! I am sure, my dearest Sir, you will be much concerned for this poor man; and, were you here, I doubt not but you would find some method of awakening him from the error which blinds him!
The exclamations here, along with the expressive, exaggerated language—“rashness and misery,” “engross all my thoughts,” “bent upon destroying himself,” "the error which blinds him,” etc.—are all characteristic of Evelina’s writing style. Several of her letters to Mr. Villars also function more as diary entries than letters, with subheadings for the different days of the week (leading to her letters taking up multiple chapters).
Mr. Villars’s writing style, on the other hand, is somewhat more tempered. While Evelina is prone to exaggeration and emotionality, Mr. Villars’s simpler style communicates his pragmatism and groundedness. He is emotional and empathetic like Evelina, but his style reflects his more mature and even-keeled nature. This comes across in the following passage from a letter to Evelina in which he assures her that Madame Duval will bring her no harm:
Let not my Evelina be depressed by a stroke of fortune for which she is not responsible. No breach of duty on your part, has incurred the unkindness which has been shewn you; nor have you, by any act of imprudence, provoked either censure or reproach.
In response to Evelina’s dramatic letter, Mr. Villars reassures her and writes in direct, clear sentences. This communicates his position as a guide for her through her hectic time in London.
It is notable that, when writing to each other, Evelina and Mr. Villars have a more emotional and informal writing style. This makes sense given their relationship as father and daughter. (Though Mr. Villars is not Evelina’s birth father, he raised her and fills a similar position.) When they write to others (such as Evelina communicating with Miss Mirvan or Mr. Villars sending notes to Lady Howard), they tend to use more formal or restrained language.
As an epistolary novel made up of letters written by eight different characters, Evelina has a variety of writing styles contained within it. All of the letters are, naturally, written in first person, but the different characters have unique writing voices and styles.
As the primary senders and recipients of letters in the novel, Evelina and Mr. Villars deserve the most attention. Evelina’s writing style, on the whole, is deeply emotional. For example, when writing to Mr. Villars about Mr. Macartney, she writes with immense sympathy:
The rashness and the misery of this ill-fated young man, engross all my thoughts. If, indeed, he is bent upon destroying himself, all efforts to save him will be fruitless. How much do I wish it were in my power to discover the nature of the malady which thus maddens him, and to offer or to procure alleviation to his sufferings! I am sure, my dearest Sir, you will be much concerned for this poor man; and, were you here, I doubt not but you would find some method of awakening him from the error which blinds him!
The exclamations here, along with the expressive, exaggerated language—“rashness and misery,” “engross all my thoughts,” “bent upon destroying himself,” "the error which blinds him,” etc.—are all characteristic of Evelina’s writing style. Several of her letters to Mr. Villars also function more as diary entries than letters, with subheadings for the different days of the week (leading to her letters taking up multiple chapters).
Mr. Villars’s writing style, on the other hand, is somewhat more tempered. While Evelina is prone to exaggeration and emotionality, Mr. Villars’s simpler style communicates his pragmatism and groundedness. He is emotional and empathetic like Evelina, but his style reflects his more mature and even-keeled nature. This comes across in the following passage from a letter to Evelina in which he assures her that Madame Duval will bring her no harm:
Let not my Evelina be depressed by a stroke of fortune for which she is not responsible. No breach of duty on your part, has incurred the unkindness which has been shewn you; nor have you, by any act of imprudence, provoked either censure or reproach.
In response to Evelina’s dramatic letter, Mr. Villars reassures her and writes in direct, clear sentences. This communicates his position as a guide for her through her hectic time in London.
It is notable that, when writing to each other, Evelina and Mr. Villars have a more emotional and informal writing style. This makes sense given their relationship as father and daughter. (Though Mr. Villars is not Evelina’s birth father, he raised her and fills a similar position.) When they write to others (such as Evelina communicating with Miss Mirvan or Mr. Villars sending notes to Lady Howard), they tend to use more formal or restrained language.
