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

Polly is Mr. Branghton’s youngest daughter, Tom and Miss Branghton’s sister, and Evelina’s cousin. Polly is a silly, uneducated girl who flirts openly with her lover, Mr. Brown, even though this was considered very improper behavior for women at the time. Polly is portrayed as more good-natured than Miss Branghton (who is moody and jealous of Evelina), but she’s also ignorant and careless about her reputation. At one point, she and Miss Branghton walk off by themselves in a public garden at night and are accosted by several young men—behavior that others view as extremely scandalous.

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

The timeline below shows where the character Polly 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

...to despise the city even though she has never been anywhere else. Her younger sister, Polly, seems like a silly but well-meaning girl. Madame Duval introduces Evelina to the Branghtons as... (full context)

Sensibility, Etiquette, and Appearances Theme Icon

Polly suddenly says that it is very strange that Evelina never met her father, and Evelina... (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 opera. Evelina protests... (full context)

...where Evelina and the Mirvans have seats. Miss Branghton takes offense to this and tells Polly and Tom that they must leave, as they are not good enough to sit with... (full context)

...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 more entertaining... (full context)

Innocence, Guidance, and Experience Theme Icon

...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 the Branghtons—they... (full context)

...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 all about... (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 in competition over who will get married... (full context)

...house, Evelina, 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... (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 the shop,... (full context)

...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 that she... (full context)

...corner. Mr. Macartney looks startled when he sees Evelina, and Mr. Branghton tells her that Polly is upstairs. Evelina goes up to Polly’s room but finds her flirting with Mr. Brown;... (full context)

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

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

...Clement’s. Tom, 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... (full context)

...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 follow her and... (full context)

...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. Noticing this,... (full context)