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Chapter 19
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 history picks back up at the Academy Awards afterparty. Ruby leaves Evelyn alone in the laundry room at the party, and soon after, Celia walks in. Evelyn asks her if she has sex with women, and Celia asks her if she’ll stop being friends with her. She says no. Celia starts to leave, but Evelyn grabs her wrist and kisses her. Evelyn doesn’t understand the full weight of her actions. She’s focused on the sensory experience. Though Celia’s body is different from Don’s, the sensation is similar to being with him. Celia leaves the room.
Despite Celia’s idealism, she knows that outing herself as a lesbian would be dangerous. In fact, in this moment, Evelyn is the one who’s immune to reality, subconsciously sacrificing her reputation in order to enjoy a romantic moment with Celia.
Themes
Evelyn goes upstairs to find Don in one of the bedrooms getting dressed beside a woman. When Evelyn runs out, Don follows her, but she continues looking for Celia. When she sees Harry, she asks him to take her home. As Harry and Evelyn start to drive away, Don runs to Evelyn’s window, which she doesn’t roll down. He orders Harry not to take Evelyn away, but Harry tells him they’ll discuss it later and drives away.
Even when Evelyn walks in on a scene that proves Don is having an affair, she continues to pursue Celia, which is a clear sign that Celia, not Don, is her priority now. Don seems to assume that Harry will do as he says, which highlights his attitude that Evelyn is more his property than an equal partner. But Harry’s response shows he is, as always, on Evelyn’s side, even though refusing to do what Don wants could hurt his career.
Themes
In the car, Evelyn tells Harry she found Don with a woman. Harry isn’t surprised—he knows Don does this kind of thing often. Evelyn realizes Harry hasn’t been telling her the whole truth, and she proposes that they tell each other everything from now on. Harry says he doesn’t want to burden her with that. Evelyn suggests she’s ready to be a real friend in that way, and that she and Celia may be more similar to Harry than he thinks. He replies that he’s suspected Celia had feelings for Evelyn.
In this moment, Evelyn realizes that Harry knows more about Don and Celia than she does, which suggests that she’s less in control of her own life than she seems to be. Keeping his sexuality secret means Harry doesn’t often form close friendships, which explains his reluctance to tell Evelyn the outright truth about himself.
Themes
When Harry and Evelyn arrive at Harry’s house, Evelyn tells him she’s going to leave Don, and while Harry’s happy to hear that, he warns her that Don will fight back. Evelyn observes Harry’s décor: while his house is nice, there’s nothing fancy about the way he’s decorated it, and she realizes that, like her, he cares more about the hunt for success than the money he gets from it.
Harry is a pragmatist, and his intimate knowledge of the way Hollywood works means he understands the kinds of repercussions Evelyn will face if the press uncovers the truth about her relationship with Celia. He shows his care for her not by reassuring or coddling her, but by warning her about these repercussions, which suggests that, though he can’t guarantee she’ll have an easy time, he’ll be there for her anyway.
Themes
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Harry sets Evelyn up in his guest room and unzips her dress for her. As he leaves the room, he warns her that his job is to keep the studio happy, which involves keeping Don happy. The next morning, Harry takes Evelyn home to find that Don has already left. Instead, Celia is there. Harry leaves Evelyn at the doorstep, and she goes inside with Celia. She tells Celia that, though she used to love Don, she now only thinks about Celia. She goes to pack her bags.
Don forgoes an opportunity to talk to Evelyn, again preferring not to communicate verbally but instead demonstrating his decision through physical absence. Celia’s presence in the house is a sign that she’s replaced Don as Evelyn’s partner.
Themes
