Previous
Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Ambition vs. Morality
Femininity, Sexuality, and Power
Truth and Identity
Family
Summary
Analysis
Evelyn’s story picks up as she’s rehearsing for Little Women. Evelyn tells Don that Celia is proving as big a threat as she expected. He tells her that his latest film is doing well, and he has the power to get Celia removed from the film, but she says she’s not too worried; in fact, she even slightly likes Celia. The next day, Celia asks Evelyn out for a milkshake at Schwab’s, a celebrity hotspot. While they’re driving there, Evelyn says Celia only wants to take her to Schwab’s to be photographed together. Celia’s insulted by Evelyn’s underestimation of her, but when Evelyn tells her to drive to a different ice cream shop, she complies.
Evelyn is up for a challenge, and she has enough confidence to believe that she’ll shine in the film even while sharing scenes with Celia. Though Celia is beginning to learn a few Hollywood tricks, Evelyn has been playing the game longer, and it’s important to her to exert power over Celia in this game of strategy—perhaps especially because she knows Celia has the upper hand as an actor. Celia, despite her skill and reputation, is intimidated by Evelyn.
Themes
The server at the ice cream shop is transfixed by Evelyn and Celia. When he asks Evelyn if she’s really who he thinks she is, she says no. Celia apologizes for trying to use Evelyn for clout, but Evelyn replies that Celia shouldn’t feel bad for trying. She says she’s not using Celia because Celia has nothing to offer her yet, which Celia disagrees with: she’s the better actor of the two, and she’ll help Evelyn with her scenes after hours if Evelyn agrees to be seen around town with her. She tells Evelyn she likes her, even her “calculating and awful” qualities, and that Evelyn will end up as Hollywood’s biggest star. Evelyn agrees that Celia will be her second-best friend (after Harry Cameron).
Evelyn is secure enough in her celebrity status that she has no need to cause a scene for clout. She clearly holds no contempt for Celia’s strategic thinking: it’s not offensive to her that other people are playing the same networking game she is, though she’ll keep the upper hand as long as she can. Evelyn understands, however, that she won’t go far as an actor without pulling off a good performance. Celia becomes important to Evelyn because Celia can help her professionally, which means their relationship begins on the same grounds as Evelyn and Harry’s friendship—a sign Evelyn might come to trust Celia just as she trusts Harry.
Themes
An article in Sub Rosa titled “Cold, Cold Evelyn” reports that, despite Don wanting a family, Evelyn refuses to have children and is only focused on her career, preferring to go out with celebrities like Celia rather than spend time with her husband. The author adds that Evelyn is unkind to the help and keeps an untidy home.
The article makes allegations against Evelyn that paint her as a woman who’s failed to act within the acceptable social boundaries of womanhood. Instead of being a mother and homemaker, Evelyn is focused on her career—and this publication knows that the disapproval for such a woman is so widespread it’s sure to sell copies.
Themes
