Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Sensibility, Etiquette, and Appearances
Gender, Reputation, and Marriage
Inheritance, Class, and Nobility
Innocence, Guidance, and Experience
Summary
Analysis
Evelina writes back to Mr. Villars to assure him that she has not been ruined by her time in the city—she is still eager to return to the country and Berry Hill. She says, however, that her 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 the group set off for Howard Grove, when Madame Duval arrived late to set off and brought Monsieur Du Bois with her.
City life was associated with sin and corruption in the 18th century, whereas the countryside was associated with innocence and naïveté. Because Evelina has always had a strong moral role model in Mr. Villars, she tries hard to make moral decisions and is therefore uncorrupted—even though she’s been surrounded by manipulative and unkind people in the city.
Themes
Captain Mirvan plans to 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 drags him out again. The Captain and Monsieur Du Bois then begin to argue in the street, but since neither speaks the other’s language, their confusion and anger only intensifies. Finally, Mrs. Mirvan breaks it up and apologizes to Monsieur Du Bois in French. Sullen but appeased, Monsieur Du Bois, slinks away, and the coach party sets off. Madame Duval is furious with the Captain and complains about him until Mrs. Mirvan begs her to stop.
Captain Mirvan misogynistically takes charge and does not give the women a say in this matter. In spite of this, Mrs. Mirvan, proves that women are often more capable than men: she speaks French, while her well-travelled husband does not. This implies that 18th-century British society does not give women enough credit. Meanwhile, Madame Duval is rude and thoughtless to criticize Captain Mirvan in front of Mrs. Mirvan. She lacks sensibility, an 18th-century concept associated with empathy and consideration for others.
Themes
