Miss Branghton Character Analysis in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

Miss Branghton is Mr. Branghton’s eldest daughter, Tom and Polly’s sister, and Evelina’s cousin. Miss Branghton has a crush on the Branghton’s neighbor, Mr. Smith, and she’s jealous of Evelina because Mr. Smith is smitten with her instead of Miss Branghton. Unlike Evelina, Miss Branghton is petty and melodramatic. She argues openly with her father and brother in public (which Evelina finds very embarrassing), and her bedroom is always a mess. Miss Branghton is from a middle-class family but wants to be viewed as refined and upper-class—though she lacks the etiquette to achieve this.

Miss Branghton Character Timeline in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World

The timeline below shows where the character Miss Branghton appears in Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Inheritance, Class, and Nobility Theme Icon

...Tom Branghton, is 20, and Evelina thinks he is childish and stupid. The eldest daughter, Miss Branghton , claims to despise the city even though she has never been anywhere else. Her... (full context)

Sensibility, Etiquette, and Appearances Theme Icon

...says that he never has and that he doesn’t care if he never goes, but Miss Branghton complains that he is unrefined and wishes she had the chance to go. She suggests... (full context)

The next evening, as Evelina and Maria dress for the opera, Tom, Miss Branghton , and Polly suddenly burst in and announce that they will take Evelina to the... (full context)

When Evelina insists that she cannot abandon Maria, Miss Branghton says that they will all go together. Evelina says they cannot, because the Branghtons are... (full context)

...that they do not understand the words, as the opera is not sung in English. Miss Branghton and Polly notice that the women in the pit are finely dressed; this is a... (full context)

...is distracted when she notices the Branghtons making fun of her. When the opera ends, Miss Branghton snidely remarks that she is not as refined as Evelina and therefore did not enjoy... (full context)

Innocence, Guidance, and Experience Theme Icon

...her from the pit. A few moments later, he joins her in the gallery, and Miss Branghton and Polly are shocked to see a nobleman. Evelina is ashamed to be seen with... (full context)

...is small and messy. They find the family there with another man named Mr. Brown. Miss Branghton and Polly seem quite ashamed that Evelina should see their rooms. Madame Duval tells them... (full context)

Gender, Reputation, and Marriage Theme Icon

After the argument has settled down, Miss Branghton tells Evelina that Mr. Brown is Polly’s lover. Polly and Miss Branghton seem to be... (full context)

...Madame Duval, and Monsieur Du Bois had to wait in the shop because Polly and Miss Branghton were still getting dressed. When the girls finally came downstairs, they had a huge argument... (full context)

The Branghton family bicker and fight all the way through dinner, after which Miss Branghton , Polly, and Tom take Evelina downstairs to sit in the shop. When they enter... (full context)

...a person’s life. That morning, Madame Duval sends her to call upon the Branghtons, but Miss Branghton and Polly are not home when she arrives. Mr. Branghton invites Evelina upstairs and says... (full context)

...is joined halfway through dinner by Mr. Smith, who insists on sitting beside Evelina and Miss Branghton , as he prides himself on being popular with ladies. The group then begins to... (full context)

Back in the shop, Evelina and Monsieur Du Bois wait for Miss Branghton and Tom to return from an outing. When they arrive, Evelina and Monsieur Du Bois... (full context)

After dinner, Miss Branghton and Polly suggest that they take Evelina for a walk in the Gardens. Evelina is... (full context)

Evelina is worried about Miss Branghton and Polly, who are still lost in the garden, so she tells Sir Clement that... (full context)

Evelina continues pleading with the Branghtons to go and look for Miss Branghton and Polly, who are lost in the Gardens. Suddenly, Mr. Smith bursts out of an... (full context)

...Mr. Brown, and Mr. Branghton all disappear into the Gardens to look for Polly and Miss Branghton , and Evelina tries to distract Sir Clement by looking at some paintings on display.... (full context)

...that she must go with Mr. Smith and notices, at dinner with the Branghtons, that Miss Branghton seems jealous and moody. Mr. Smith, in contrast, is dressed very splendidly and seems proud,... (full context)

...marry, and Mr. Smith replies that if he did marry, he would marry Evelina—much to Miss Branghton ’s annoyance. Soon, the coach arrives to take Evelina, Mr. Smith, and Madame Duval to... (full context)

...has nothing to do with her. Mr. Smith then tells Evelina that, besides herself and Miss Branghton , there are plenty of young women who wish to marry him—but he would choose... (full context)

...Mr. Brown and bursts away from the two ladies to take his arm. Madame Duval, Miss Branghton , and Polly appear, and although Evelina tries to leave the two women behind, they... (full context)

...Madame Duval thinks that the prostitutes are noblewomen and tries to talk with them, while Miss Branghton and Polly laugh hysterically at Mr. Brown, who is being harassed by the two women.... (full context)

...also in the shed. She does not want to be recognized, so she whispers to Miss Branghton not to say her name. Miss Branghton demands to know why, however, and Evelina is... (full context)

Miss Branghton quickly tells the others, and Madame Duval suggests that they ask Lord Orville’s coachmen to... (full context)