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Volume 1, Letter 17
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 is surprised when Lord Orville arrives at Mrs. Mirvan’s house. He has heard about their coach accident two nights before and is concerned. He explains that Sir Clement told him that he was on hand to help Evelina, and Evelina is extremely indignant because, clearly, Sir Clement has exaggerated his heroism. Lord Orville seems very curious about how long Evelina will remain in London. When she tells him that she will leave very soon, he tells her that people will be disappointed to see her go.
Lord Orville demonstrates his genuine sensibility (an 18th-century concept associated with empathy and consideration for others). He is authentically concerned about Evelina and the Mirvans, going out of his way to check on them. Sir Clement, in contrast, performs good deeds—like helping Evelina—just so that he can brag about them afterward and make himself appear gallant and sensible.
Themes
Mrs. Mirvan invites Lord Orville to stay for breakfast, and he agrees. Throughout breakfast, Evelina is further impressed by Lord Orville’s good manners and finds him considerate toward everyone. Evelina even imagines that one day, Lord Orville will be like her adoptive father, Mr. Villars, whom Evelina deeply respects. After Lord Orville departs, Evelina gets ready to visit Madame Duval, but Mrs. Mirvan suggests that Madame Duval join them for dinner instead. Evelina is grateful to Mrs. Mirvan for sparing her a trip to Madame Duval’s, but she doesn’t know why Madame Duval agrees to spend time with Captain Mirvan, who openly despises her.
Although Burney argues that etiquette and sensibility are not always compatible, Lord Orville demonstrates that when politeness is combined with genuine sensibility, the results are highly favorable. Lord Orville does not use etiquette to show off—rather, he treats people politely because he genuinely cares how they feel and dislikes making others uncomfortable.
Themes
