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 to Mr. Villars and says that—although she wanted to break off contact with Lord Orville —she is sad that he now treats her coldly. That morning, she receives a visit from Sir Clement, who tries to seduce her, and is relieved when Mrs. Beaumont, Mrs. Selwyn, and Louisa enter the room and invite them to come for a drive. Evelina says no, but Sir Clement—who, she notices, follows Mrs. Beaumont around—says that he will go. Lord Orville stays behind too, and Evelina goes to her room to avoid him.
Evelina is in love with Lord Orville but tries to avoid him because she thinks that they cannot be married. Lord Orville is a nobleman and, although Evelina is a noble on her father’s side, her father denies his relation to her. Evelina, therefore, has been raised middle-class, and her identity has been kept secret. Lord Orville is unlikely to marry someone who is socially inferior to him. Meanwhile, Sir Clement is rude and thoughtless—he clearly doesn’t care about Evelina’s reputation, which could be lastingly destroyed if Sir Clement seduced her and then refused to marry her.
Themes
Sir Clement joins them again at dinner and, again, constantly badgers Evelina. Lord Orville ignores her and does not intervene. Evelina regrets her decision to break off contact with Lord Orville so quickly—she realizes now that he does not understand the reason for her sudden disinterest and is probably hurt by it. Evelina wishes that she had thought about this earlier, but realizes it is too late now.
Evelina now realizes that she has been careless with Lord Orville’s feelings and has given him no reason as to why she’s suddenly avoiding him. Although Evelina is naturally sensible and always tries to be virtuous, she is young and inexperienced and does not always make the right choice.
Themes
The next morning, Evelina goes walking in the garden, where Sir Clement finds her. He immediately ushers her into a secluded spot and begins to complain that she owes him because he puts up with Mrs. Beaumont and Mrs. Selwyn so that he could spend time with her. Evelina is repulsed by his rudeness, but he says that it is Evelina’s fault he thinks other ladies are worthless, as they are nothing compared to her.
Sir Clement is rude, entitled, and arrogant. Although he is a noble, which was often associated with virtue in 18th-century Britain, Sir Clement instead proves that he is prepared to lie and flatter people whom he secretly dislikes, if he thinks this behavior will benefit him. Sir Clement also tries to blame Evelina for his own bad behavior, which supports Burney’s argument that 18th-century society is misogynistic and that women are often blamed for men’s actions.
Themes
Sir Clement complains that he particularly dislikes Mrs. Selwyn because she is too sharp and witty for a woman. Evelina again rebukes his rudeness. Sir Clement says that he also put up with the terrible Mirvans for her sake, and Evelina says that his behavior disgusts her and makes him seem like a hypocrite. She gets up to leave, but Sir Clement seizes her hand and begs her to forgive him. Lord Orville, who is passing, approaches and warns Sir Clement to let Evelina go. Sir Clement does so, and Evelina rushes into the house.
Sir Clement proves that he is misogynistic, arrogant, and two-faced. He thoughtlessly criticizes Evelina’s friends to her face and admits that he only spends time with them because this benefits him, as it allows him to spend time with her. Although Sir Clement is a nobleman, and nobility is associated with virtue at this time, Sir Clement proves that this is not always the case.
Themes
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Inside, Mrs. Selwyn is shocked to see Evelina’s agitated condition. Evelina tells Mrs. Selwyn about the confrontation between Lord Orville and Sir Clement in the garden, and Mrs. Selwyn hurries outside. She returns and tells Evelina that she has overheard a conversation between Lord Orville and Sir Clement. Lord Orville calmly asked Sir Clement what he wants from Evelina. When Sir Clement asked why Lord Orville wanted to know, Lord Orville replied that he cares deeply about Evelina and worries about her because she is inexperienced.
Lord Orville is truly sensibility (sensibility in this period referred to a person’s capacity for empathy and consideration toward others), and he proves that he genuinely cares about Evelina’s feelings. He confronts Sir Clement and holds him responsible for his behavior toward Evelina, rather than wrongly blaming her for leading Sir Clement on.
Themes
Sir Clement told Lord Orville that he plans to pursue Evelina until she falls in love with him. Lord Orville then warned Sir Clement that, although Evelina seems unprotected, she has people looking out for her. He further reminded Sir Clement that Evelina is a bright young woman, not a toy to be played with. Sir Clement objected that, when Lord Orville first met Evelina, he thought she was flirtatious and stupid. Lord Orville replied that did not know how innocent she was then.
Women had few rights in 18th-century Britain and were considered their husband or father’s property. Therefore, women could not defend themselves from abuse but had to rely on their male protectors. Evelina is not married, and her guardian, Mr. Villars, is elderly—therefore, she seems like an easy target for the predatory Sir Clement. Lord Orville shows that he is truly noble and virtuous, as he is willing to admit his mistake and defend Evelina because he sees that she is in danger.
Themes
Lord Orville asked Sir Clement if he planned to marry Evelina, and Sir Clement replied that he never plans to get married. He also commented that Evelina has no inheritance, so he would not choose to marry her. Lord Orville ended the conversation here. Evelina is disgusted with Sir Clement. She is impressed by Lord Orville, however, and wonders what Mr. Villars thinks of his conduct. Evelina further notes that Sir Clement tried to speak to her throughout dinner, but she resolutely ignored him.
Sir Clement proves that he has cruel intentions toward Evelina. Premarital sex was considered sinful at this time, and society was particularly harsh on women whom men seduced. If Sir Clement succeeded in seducing Evelina and then refused to marry her, he could ruin her good name and destroy her hopes of marrying someone else. Furthermore, Sir Clement openly admits that he is only interested in marrying for money, not for love, and will not consider Evelina for marriage because she does not stand to inherit. Meanwhile, Evelina is young and inexperienced and does not trust her own judgement when it comes to men. She therefore asks Mr. Villars for his verdict on Lord Orville’s conduct.
Themes
