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
Mr. Villars gives Evelina a letter to give to Lady Howard when Evelina arrives at Howard Grove. The note reminds Lady Howard how innocent and “artless” Evelina is and begs Lady Howard to take good care of her and to ensure that Evelina returns from her trip as pure as she was when she left Mr. Villars.
Purity was highly prized in women during the 18th century, and women were expected to remain virgins until marriage. Furthermore, the countryside was often associated with purity, while the city was associated with sin and corruption. Mr. Villars worries that when he is not there to guide Evelina, she may be corrupted and lose her innocence during her city adventure, which will be a substantial test to her fragile and underdeveloped sense of morality.
Themes
