Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Ambition vs. Morality
Femininity, Sexuality, and Power
Truth and Identity
Family
Summary
Analysis
After Celia’s death, Evelyn lives a scandal-free life. She continues a happy marriage with Robert for 11 years, moving back to New York with him and raising money for charity. Evelyn’s focus is squarely on Connor, who takes a job teaching at Wharton after realizing a life in finance isn’t right for her. When Robert dies at age 81, Connor gives the eulogy. After the funeral, she and her boyfriend, Greg, come to stay with Evelyn until she tells them to live their own lives. But when they leave, she realizes that the apartment feels huge and quiet, so she hires Grace, spoiling her with the money she inherited from Harry, Celia, and Robert.
Moving back to New York means that Evelyn is once again a subject of media attention, but it’s easier for her to cope with now that she has no secrets to protect. By all accounts, she has a traditional, married life. Connor’s bond to Robert is evident by the fact that she gives his eulogy. It’s possible that Connor is well adjusted thanks to the family structure in which Robert played a vital part.
Themes
Evelyn is happy with her life of charity and art collecting until Connor is diagnosed with breast cancer and given months to live. Evelyn looks after Connor through chemotherapy and sits with her in hospital. 18 months later, Connor dies, and Evelyn, completely heartbroken, buries her next to Harry.
Connor is the last in a quick succession of heartbreaking losses for Evelyn, which emphasizes that no matter how much fame and wealth she accrues and how hard she tries to hold on to her loved ones, the odds seem stacked against her.
Themes
