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Volume 2, Letter 16
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
A few nights later, Evelina, Madame Duval, Monsieur Du Bois, and the Branghtons again congregate in the Branghton’s shop. Mr. Macartney reads in the corner, and the group cannot decide where to go out because they think it may rain. After much debate, they decide to go up to the roof and look at the clouds for a sign about the weather. Evelina stays behind in the room, and Mr. Macartney seems like he’s about to speak to her. Evelina approaches him, and Macartney tells her that he has no hope for the future.
Here, Evelina displays her natural sensibility (an 18th-century term associated with empathy and emotional sensitivity). While the others insensibly ignore Mr. Macartney, Evelina cannot turn a blind eye to his suffering and, instead, finds ways to talk to him in case she can help.
Themes
Evelina is dismayed by Mr. Macartney’s sadness, and he is moved by her compassion and cannot bring himself to ask her for money, which is what he needs. Evelina, sensing this, drops the last of her own money on the ground and quickly leaves the room, as the Branghtons shout for her to come upstairs. In the end, their outing is postponed because of rain, and Evelina spends the evening writing to Mr. Villars. She hopes that Mr. Villars doesn’t mind her giving money to Mr. Macartney.
Evelina demonstrates natural sensibility because she feels genuine compassion for Macartney’s predicament and selflessly helps him. Evelina relies on Mr. Villars for moral guidance, as he is her adoptive parent and role model. However, as Evelina gains maturity, she’s learning to act for herself without waiting for Mr. Villars guidance or permission.
Themes
