Evelina · Chapter
Letter LVII: Evelina to Miss Mirvan explained
Evelina writes to Maria Mirvan from Berry Hill, describing her return from London at Mr.
What happens
Evelina writes to Maria Mirvan from Berry Hill, describing her return from London at Mr. Villars' request. She confesses her heavy heart and internal sadness, despite the joy of being reunited with her beloved guardian. She blames the Branghton family for her unease and insists her heart remains her own, not swayed by susceptibility.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Identity
Evelina's deep bond with Mr. Villars and her struggle to reconcile her love for him with her internal sadness highlight the theme of familial belonging and self-definition.
Female Education and Innocence
Evelina's emotional turmoil and her insistence on her own heart's integrity reflect the tension between innocence and the social experiences that challenge it.
Virtue and Reputation
Evelina's concern about being misunderstood and her declaration that her heart is 'assuredly her own' emphasize the importance of virtue and self-perception in her social world.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Narrates her return to Berry Hill, her conflicted emotions, and her insistence on her own emotional integrity.
- Miss Mirvan
The recipient of the letter, addressed as 'My Sweet Maria' and 'my dear Miss Mirvan'.
- Rev. Mr. Villars
Requested Evelina's return via a letter to Madame Duval; welcomed her with deep emotion and gratitude.
- Madame Duval
Received Mr. Villars' letter and consented to Evelina's return; softened toward Evelina upon seeing her indifference to M. Du Bois.
- Mrs. Clinton
Brought Mr. Villars' letter to Evelina and accompanied her on the journey to Berry Hill.
- Mr. Branghton
Mentioned as part of the Branghton family, whose forwardness and impertinence Evelina blames for her unease.
Key passages
“I obeyed—and pardon me if I own I obeyed without reluctance: after so long a separation, should I not else have been the most ungrateful of mortals?—And yet—oh, Maria! though I wished to leave London, the gratification of my wish afforded me no happiness!”
Evelina admits she was eager to return to Berry Hill out of gratitude to Mr. Villars, but the fulfillment of that wish brought her no joy.
Highlights Evelina's conflicted emotions about leaving London despite her desire to see her guardian.
“How little has situation to do with happiness! I had flattered myself, that, when restored to Berry Hill, I should be restored to tranquillity: far otherwise have I found it, for never yet had tranquillity and Evelina so little intercourse.”
Evelina reflects that her change of location did not bring the peace she expected, as her inner turmoil persists.
Emphasizes the theme that external circumstances do not guarantee inner happiness.
“do not impute to a wrong cause the melancholy I confess, by supposing that the heart of your friend mourns a too great susceptibility: no, indeed! believe me it never was, never can be, more assuredly her own than at this moment.”
Evelina insists her sadness is not due to romantic susceptibility, but that her heart remains firmly her own.
Evelina defends her emotional state against potential misinterpretation, asserting her self-possession.