Frances Burney's Evelina is a delightful read. There, I said it! I actually really like an 18th century novel! Like much of what we've read this semester, the text is written as a series of letters (epistolary novel) from a series of different voices / perspectives. The earliest letters regard the background to Evelina's situation. One of the themes that develops in these early letters regards identity / social position.
At the heart of Evelina's confusion / search for identity, lie her background and rearing under the guise of her "father", Mr. Villars. In these first letters, we are giving a generational backstory suggesting of a place of prominence for Evelina (her mother, after all, was a Lady). The death of her mother and then the death of her father leave Evelina to Mr. Villars, where he does his upmost to educate her and teach her to lead a mild mannered / virtuous / pious life. We don't really get many details of her formal education (save that she has been to school and that Mr. Villars was active in her education), but by the way that she appears on the page, it can be assumed that her education lacked the sophistication necessary of a person of position and power. Evelina is afraid to dance because she hasn't danced save for school, and this leads her to some confusion and terror during her first London party. The introduction of Lord Orville (a man she is clearly attracted to from the moment she first meets him) furthers Evelina's questioning of her position; she finds it odd that he could be so gracious, kind, and interested in someone of her standing (not having any clear idea of what he actual position could be), and the conflict that seems to emerge comes from inwardly reflections and insecurity in the part of our heroine. These themes and concerns take a drastic turn as the novel progresses.
The text does a wonderful job at creating comparison for observation. Evelina, despite her search for self and understanding, is clearly an observant person. One of my favorite scenes thus far is her reflections regarding her first shopping through London. London, even today, is a center for commerce and goods (you can buy basically anything and the shops on some streets today feel more in place with something you'd expect to see in 18-19th century London rather than the 21st century. Savile Row is a prime example, as well as Jermyn Street). In letter X, Evelina reflects that "The shops are very entertaining...we were conducted from one to another, and carried from room to room, with so much ceremony, that at first I was almost afraid to follow" (29). She later observes that men, rather than women, seem to be the cultural authorities on dress and silks. Like a young person today with limited means, she is caught up in the glamour of material items, and only purchases a small amount, despite desires to have all the things. This impression clashes with her initial impression of London, which could only be described as being less than enthusiastic. Along with her observations of theatre, these scenes (the dance, shopping, etc) work towards building an identity of taste for Evelina that contrast with her upbringing. Evelina is well aware of this conflict, and as she writes to her father, she does her upmost to seem less than vain, and to hold to rural rather than urban values.
---jmj
P.S. This has no bearing at all on reading Evelina, but the book mixes well with The Grateful Dead's wonderful album "American Beauty". I'd encourage anyone to throw it on as you read!
At the heart of Evelina's confusion / search for identity, lie her background and rearing under the guise of her "father", Mr. Villars. In these first letters, we are giving a generational backstory suggesting of a place of prominence for Evelina (her mother, after all, was a Lady). The death of her mother and then the death of her father leave Evelina to Mr. Villars, where he does his upmost to educate her and teach her to lead a mild mannered / virtuous / pious life. We don't really get many details of her formal education (save that she has been to school and that Mr. Villars was active in her education), but by the way that she appears on the page, it can be assumed that her education lacked the sophistication necessary of a person of position and power. Evelina is afraid to dance because she hasn't danced save for school, and this leads her to some confusion and terror during her first London party. The introduction of Lord Orville (a man she is clearly attracted to from the moment she first meets him) furthers Evelina's questioning of her position; she finds it odd that he could be so gracious, kind, and interested in someone of her standing (not having any clear idea of what he actual position could be), and the conflict that seems to emerge comes from inwardly reflections and insecurity in the part of our heroine. These themes and concerns take a drastic turn as the novel progresses.
The text does a wonderful job at creating comparison for observation. Evelina, despite her search for self and understanding, is clearly an observant person. One of my favorite scenes thus far is her reflections regarding her first shopping through London. London, even today, is a center for commerce and goods (you can buy basically anything and the shops on some streets today feel more in place with something you'd expect to see in 18-19th century London rather than the 21st century. Savile Row is a prime example, as well as Jermyn Street). In letter X, Evelina reflects that "The shops are very entertaining...we were conducted from one to another, and carried from room to room, with so much ceremony, that at first I was almost afraid to follow" (29). She later observes that men, rather than women, seem to be the cultural authorities on dress and silks. Like a young person today with limited means, she is caught up in the glamour of material items, and only purchases a small amount, despite desires to have all the things. This impression clashes with her initial impression of London, which could only be described as being less than enthusiastic. Along with her observations of theatre, these scenes (the dance, shopping, etc) work towards building an identity of taste for Evelina that contrast with her upbringing. Evelina is well aware of this conflict, and as she writes to her father, she does her upmost to seem less than vain, and to hold to rural rather than urban values.
---jmj
P.S. This has no bearing at all on reading Evelina, but the book mixes well with The Grateful Dead's wonderful album "American Beauty". I'd encourage anyone to throw it on as you read!
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