Evelina Volume I

When I began Evelina, I thought it was going to be exactly like Pamela. I am happy to say I was wrong. The style of the two stories in the epistolary format are the same but the content differs greatly. Evelina has been raised in a bucolic environment away from anyone that could do her harm. The first time that led my instincts down the path of thinking towards the Cinderella theme was when Rev. Villars writes to Lady Howard and says, “It seems, therefore, as if this deserted child, though legally heiress of two large fortunes, must owe all her rational expectations to adoption and friendship” (14). I have to admit that at some point I expected her to sing and dance in the company of woodland creatures. This was before insight of her character was presented. The beginning of Evelina’s internal thoughts did not begin until page 18 so the impression that I had of her was purely from the opinion of the other characters. When Evelina is pursued at an assembly by Lovel, she does not know how to respond to his persistence. This I found entertaining. The women that she is with all know how to conduct themselves in a ’proper’ fashion but she feels trapped. His persistence was very creepy and comparable to a lot of guys today and how they just cannot except no as an answer. The extent that he took the insult of her not dancing with him was ridiculous. Then to endure the attempts of Sir Clement Willoughby after this, Evelina received a picture of how inappropriate men can act.
Captain Mirvan is just as bad with his insults. One example is when it is their last night out on the town. Evelina and Miss Mirvan express that they enjoyed the opera above everything else and Captain Mirvan says, “they are a set of parrots, and speak by rote, for they all say the same thing…and for you, Moll…I charge that you‘ll never again be so impertinent as to have a taste of your own before my face” (91). This was an interesting scene because he scrutinizes them for not having independent thought and just being lemmings to the world of fashionable events but then turns to say that he disapproves of his daughter having independent thought. Thinking back to the previous males mentioned I do not think they like a woman being in charge of her choices either. Lovel becomes mad because she chooses not to dance with him but dances with Lord Orville. Willoughby will not leave her alone after she dances with him that one time. Being by her side will prevent any other prospects to present themselves to Evelina.
Lord Orville is the best male character so far in this novel (not including the Rev. Villars). I had long ago claimed my love for Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice) but now that place he claimed is rivaled.
The issue with Madame Duval is a complicated one. She seems so intimidating, vicious, and deceitful that I feel like she has a hidden agenda. This brings me to the scene where the Branghton cousins stop by and try to persuade Evelina to go to the opera with them instead of with the Mirvan’s and company (70). It seems like Madame Duval sent them to see what would happen, as if to test Evelina. Maybe I get this sense because when they were leaving they said, “Well, her grand-mama will be in a fine passion, that’s one good thing” (71). Then Madame Duval flies into this angry passion and demonstrates the control that she can exert over Evelina. If this did not occur then Evelina would be ignorant of the submissive role she is expected to play to Madame Duval. Another part that I do not fully understand is why the Branghtons would be writing to Madame Duval of a plan to reinstate Evelina’s inheritance. It is not any of their business unless they plan on profiting from it in some way. These cousins, along with Madame Duval, seem to be up to no good and out for their own benefit and are not to be trusted.