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Get every literary device explanation for Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World
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Foil
Explanation and Analysis—Orville and Clement:
As Evelina’s two primary suitors in the novel, Lord Orville and Sir Clement act as foils to each other. Evelina originally sees both of them at a ball in London, where she denies Sir Clement’s request to dance with her—telling him that she already has a partner—which leads him to harass her until she admits that she lied. While Sir Clement’s rudeness weighs on Evelina at the ball, Lord Orville comforts her and, Evelina notes, “This politeness relieved me.” Meanwhile, she refers to Sir Clement—whose name she does not yet know—as “my tormentor." This initial scene establishes Lord Orville as higher than Sir Clement in both status (as he is a nobleman) and morals.
Over the course of the novel, the differences between the two men only becomes starker. While both men appear to be gentlemen—Sir Clement takes pains to win over Evelina’s extended family by acting polite and dignified—it becomes clear that Lord Orville is the only truly upstanding man. Sir Clement tries to seduce Evelina whenever they are alone together, while Lord Orville treats her with nothing but respect. That Evelina ultimately ends up marrying Lord Orville is Burney’s way of showing how both Evelina and Lord Orville—as kind-hearted, sensible people—deserve to live happily ever after.
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