The Female Quixote

When I began reading this novel, I really did not know what to think about Arabella. The romance novels are introduced in a way that makes the reader leery of them and the impact that they will have on our protagonist, “he permitted her therefore the Use of his Library, in which, unfortunately for her, were great Store of Romances” (7). With this line the narrator sets the reader up to expect some ‘adventures,’ or yet misadventures. These novels that she finds comfort in, provide Arabella with a false sense of what to expect from life. They also instill a false sense of control. Arabella feels that she can command Mr. Hervey, Mr. Glanville, and Sir George to live when in reality it is out of her control. Another example, that supports this God complex is when the Glanville’s and Arabella are leaving for Bath and there are highwaymen about to rob them. Arabella thinks that they are under the assumption that herself and Miss Glanville are being held against their will and want to lend a helping hand. While this does produce a positive result, the understanding of the situation is completely misconstrued in her mind. This leaves the audience to be under the suggestion that when Arabella mingles in society there will be communication problems.
Considering the limited interaction with society that Arabella has had, it is easy to understand why she connects with her French novels. She has never had a non-fictional female role model to learn from. When she finds herself in complete solitude after her father dies and the Glanville’s leave her at the castle, “she applied herself to reading with more Eagerness than ever” (67).
Any situation that Arabella finds herself in she consults her mental dictionary of romance novels, “there were not any of the Ladies in Romances, in the same Circumstances with herself who was without a favored Lover” (38). If she cannot find an answer from one of the ‘ladies of romance,’ she assumes a confused state and constructs a reason for why her life or current situation does not follow the common plot of the romances.
The romances serve as Arabella’s conduct manuals throughout the novel. At first, I did not know if Lennox was supporting conduct manuals or critiquing them. I thought she could have been supporting them because of the dedication that Arabella puts into learning the actions, reactions, and lessons of the romances. The women having control over the men, the courage and valor on behalf of the men, the overall positive values demonstrated by the characters, etc. I realized that I was wrong in reasoning that Lennox supported the conduct manuals and took into consideration that she is critiquing society by using these extreme examples. The dependence that Arabella shows in regard to the romances is the same ridiculous amount of elevation given to ‘modern’ women of that society towards conduct manuals/ acceptable behavior. For example, Arabella’s lack of independent thinking shines through when Miss Glanville and her are in a dispute regarding Sir George and require Mr. Glanville to give his thoughts, Arabella says, “in this I am justified by all the Heroines of Antiquity” (186). I felt like Lennox was making a statement against the importance contributed to correct behavior at assemblies, gardens, parks, etc. What is most important is that women, well anyone for that matter, act with a respect for everyone else, be willing to help when someone is in distress, to basically show kindness.
The reading materials that women should be exposed to seemed to bare a heavy influence as well. Arabella has a tremendous imagination and everyone that sees her indulgence in romance novels makes negative comments and soon they begin to think she is ‘out of her senses.’ One quote that explains it the best is after Arabella is out riding in the field and comes into contact with Mr. Hervey, who, she supposed was her ‘ravisher,’ the narrator says, “when her Imagination, always prepossessed with the same fantastic Ideas, made her stumble upon another Mistake, equally absurd and ridiculous” (21). This quote suggests that the imagination of a women is something that they cannot control. If women were never subjected to licentious material they would not have the ‘whims’ that are attributed to romance novels. I hold the opinion that Lennnox did not approve of the supposition that women should read only what men (society) tell them to. My main support for this opinion is that while Arabella is fanciful, whimsical, of a romantic mind-set, Lennox had to use her imagination to create Arabella and the adventures she partakes in.

Evelina Volume III

Evelina began the novel as a poor, orphaned, inexperienced girl but ends the novel as surrounded by family and a very wealthy woman. She rose from a low station and aspired to a high one. It almost seems that there is hope offered for the less fortunate.
John Belmont had the best of intentions after all! It was that meddling Dame Green that messed with Evelina’s future. What I found interesting was Evelina’s reaction to this information. She completely accepts her ‘foster sister’ and says, “Poor unfortunate girl! How hard is her fate! She is entitled to my kindest offices, and I shall always consider her as my sister” (311). I suppose the conduct manual includes not only how to present yourself at an assembly but also how to be kind to manipulative, self-serving people.
I have to admit that the background of Mr. Macartney stunned me. At the time he writes his letter he is under the impression that he has courted his sister and killed his father. This just seemed like a situation that Shakespeare would create.
There is a great justice served in this last volume. Mr. Macartney (did NOT see this one coming!) and Evelina both are acknowledged as his children. Willoughby admits that he wrote the fictitious letter and never reappears (he finally got the hint). Lovel after acting like a jerk the entire novel finally finds some respect for Evelina when he overhears the Captain call her Miss Belmont (324). Which this incident reminded me greatly of a tradition the ancient Greeks had. They would show kindness to strangers for fear they were a god or goddess testing their hospitality and feared their wrath. The Captain admits how fond he is of Madame Duval, “she hit my fancy mightily; I never took so much to an old tabby before” (325). He liked her reaction when provoked is my guess but this admittance displays a perverted kind of affection he has towards her.
The Captain’s reemergence near the ending provides a great laugh. It serves as a lesson to Lovel as well. His presumptuous behavior finally caught up with him. It seems to serve a message that just because a person is born into an elite family and has a large sum of money it does not mean that they are automatically programmed to be ‘proper.’ The bringing together of certain supportive characters that Evelina began her journey with, reconfirms how far she has progressed and is only right that they end the journey in her company.
I thought that it was interesting that Madame Duval was too ill to attend the wedding. I thought she would have went to Bristol right away to attend. Especially, since
Bristol was where everyone went for the healing waters. Then, for Monsieur Du Bois to leave her, she is now all alone. Well, I suppose she has the Branghtons for company. I wonder why she would not have gone back to France since this was her goal all along?
Lady Louisa reminded me undoubtedly of Pamela. She kept whining whenever she was in a scene, “fatigued to death” (324) “I shall faint” “take him away, or I shall die!” (332) “I‘m afraid it‘s monstrous hot” (298) there are many, many more times of complaining especially with the term ‘monstrous’ but I think I’ve cited sufficient examples. It was as if her character was suppose to epitomize the weakness of women. Everything seemed to upset her in some way or another. It may be a way of showing her youth or inexperience as well. The letter in which Lady Louisa is introduced at Mrs. Beaumont’s she is complaining incessantly about the drive her and Lord Merton have taken. Because of the dust she is quite under the weather. Then later on, after Lord Merton is badgering Evelina with compliments she becomes jealous and does not talk to him for awhile then treats Evelina very coldly. Also, when the discovery of the poetry in the bathhouse is made Willoughby tells her not to tell Lady Louisa because she was not part of the beauties of the bath. It just seems like people have to tip toe around her and shower her with concentrated attention (Lord Merton, Coverely, and Lovel in particular).