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
The next morning, Evelina gets up early and goes out for a stroll. She is shocked to meet Mr. Macartney, who has come to find her and pay her back the money she leant him. Evelina says that Mr. Macartney looks much better, and Mr. Macartney says that this is thanks to Evelina’s kindness. Her compassion toward him encouraged him to write to his friend in Paris, who was concerned about him and has since sent him money.
Evelina’s kindness to Mr. Macartney (she lent him money when he was desperate and in need) demonstrates Evelina’s true sensibility. Sensibility was an 18th-century term that referred to a person’s capacity for empathy. Burney suggests that sensibility and genuine kindness toward others is extremely valuable and can bring about positive change, just as Evelina’s kindness helps Mr. Macartney improve his circumstances.
Themes
Just then, Lord Orville comes out to look for Evelina. She quickly bids Mr. Macartney farewell, but he asks if he can meet her the next morning to repay her. Evelina agrees but is horrified when she turns around and sees that Lord Orville has overheard. Lord Orville looks embarrassed, and Evelina worries that he’s gotten the wrong impression and thinks Mr. Macartney is her lover. She tries to explain, but Lord Orville politely says that Evelina must judge for herself how best to act. Evelina promises that she will explain the situation when she can. Still, Lord Orville seems upset and is quiet and reserved over breakfast.
Although Mr. Macartney is poor—and poverty was associated with immorality in the 18th century—he is, in fact, honorable and virtuous. This suggests that virtue exists across all classes, not just among the nobility, as 18th-century Britons tended to believe. Meanwhile, Evelina fears that Lord Orville, may get the wrong impression when he sees her with Macartney because promiscuity could ruin a woman’s reputation at this time. Lord Orville, however, gives Evelina the benefit of the doubt and trusts that, if she is meeting a man in secret, she must have a moral and virtuous reason for doing so. This shows that Lord Orville trusts Evelina to make her own judgments and does not feel the need to police her behavior. In short, he treats her like an equal.
Themes
Evelina plans to miss her meeting with Mr. Macartney the next day. However, she feels sorry for him and decides to write him a note instead. When she has sent the note, Lord Orville enters the room and asks her if she is now ready to explain how she knows Mr. Macartney. Evelina does not feel comfortable revealing Mr. Macartney’s secret, however, and makes an excuse to leave the room. During lunch, a messenger arrives and announces to the group that they could not find Mr. Macartney, to whom Evelina sent a note. Evelina is embarrassed and cannot decide which is worse: discussing Mr. Macartney’s private secrets or being thought to have a secret lover.
Evelina feels torn between doing what is honorable and right (to meet Macartney and protect his secret) and what is proper according to 18th-century etiquette conventions. She knows that as an unmarried woman, it’s scandalous to meet or have private communication with strange men. Although it is Evelina’s natural inclination to be kind and keep her promise, she also worries that if people think she has a lover, her reputation could be irreparably damaged.
Themes
The next morning, Evelina sneaks out to meet Mr. Macartney but immediately meets Lord Orville in the garden. Although Lord Orville seems embarrassed, Evelina does not know what to do, and she almost faints. Lord Orville helps her back into the house. Evelina attempts to return to her room, but Lord Orville again asks her about Macartney. Evelina says that she cannot explain her connection to Macartney, as she promised to keep it secret, and Lord Orville seems peeved by this.
Evelina is worried that, if she does not explain her connection to Macartney, Lord Orville will assume that Macartney is her lover—something that could seriously damage her reputation. This suggests that, although people in 18th-century Britain thinks of sensibility (virtuous consideration of others) and etiquette as compatible, oftentimes they are not.
Themes
Get the entire Evelina LitChart as a printable PDF.
Evelina laments that, although she wants to do the right thing, she is inexperienced and constantly makes mistakes—she is usually guided by Mr. Villars. Lord Orville says that he wishes to help her with her dilemma, and Evelina begs him to forgive her innocence. Lord Orville says that he does and is sorry that he upset her. He takes her hand and says that they are friends, then quickly lets it go as the others enter the room for breakfast. Evelina is delighted with Lord Orville’s conduct but regrets missing her meeting with Macartney.
Lord Orville proves that he is an excellent moral guide for Evelina because. Like her wise guardian Mr. Villars, Lord Orville is interested in helping Evelina make a good moral choice, rather than judging or criticizing her for her mistakes. Like Mr. Villars, Lord Orville understands that gaining experience involves trial and error, and that Evelina will not get everything right first time.
Themes
Literary Devices
