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Chapter 38
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 biography picks up on her 36th birthday. She, Harry, Celia, and John go out to the Palace, allegedly the most expensive restaurant in the world. They drink champagne and eat caviar. Celia toasts to Evelyn. Later that night, Harry asks if Evelyn’s realized her marriage to him is the longest one she’s had. She tells him it’s also the best one. He asks if she’s ready to have a baby, and despite her qualms, she says yes. They agree to talk to John and Celia. Harry tells Evelyn that a small part of him has wanted to have sex with her since they met. They shake hands on their plan.
Evelyn and Harry’s marriage has been so easy, probably because of their distance from each other, that Harry knows Evelyn might not have noticed how long they’ve been together. Despite the unconventional arrangement, Evelyn treasures her connection to Harry more than any of her more traditional marriages. Their handshake makes their plan to have a baby seem more of a business venture than a momentous personal decision, which fits naturally into their strategic marriage.
Themes
