Evelina · Chapter
Letter XLIII: Evelina in Continuation explained
Evelina recounts two troubling events: first, Mr.
What happens
Evelina recounts two troubling events: first, Mr. Smith's persistent and inappropriate offer of a ticket to the Hampstead assembly, which Madame Duval forces her to accept; second, a harrowing encounter where she prevents a desperate young man (Mr. Macartney) from committing suicide by seizing his pistols and pleading with him to spare his life.
Themes in this chapter
Female Education and Innocence
Evelina's scruples about accepting Mr. Smith's ticket reflect her innocence and the education in propriety she has received from Mr. Villars, contrasting with Madame Duval's worldly pragmatism.
Virtue and Reputation
Evelina's refusal of Mr. Smith's gift and her courageous intervention to save a stranger demonstrate her virtue and concern for moral reputation.
Satire of Society
Mr. Smith's presumptuous and vulgar pursuit of Evelina, along with Madame Duval's gullibility, satirizes the manners and pretensions of the middle class.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Narrates the chapter; refuses Mr. Smith's ticket but is overruled by Madame Duval; heroically intervenes to stop a suicide.
- Madame Duval
Forces Evelina to accept Mr. Smith's invitation; praises Mr. Smith as the prettiest young man she has seen in England.
- Mr. Smith
Offers Evelina a ticket to the Hampstead assembly; persists despite her refusal and enlists Madame Duval's support.
- Mr. Macartney
The desperate young man; attempts suicide with pistols but is stopped by Evelina's intervention.
- Monsieur Du Bois
Accompanies Evelina to the Branghtons' and later escorts her home in a chair.
- Mr. Branghton
Informs Evelina that his son and daughter are out; later witnesses the aftermath of the suicide attempt.
Key passages
“Indeed, Ma'am, you are too modest; I assure you the ticket is quite at your service, and I shall be very happy to dance with you; so pray don't be so coy.”
Mr. Smith dismisses Evelina's refusal as mere modesty and insists she accept his ticket to dance with him.
Illustrates Mr. Smith's presumptuousness and Evelina's discomfort with his familiarity.
“O, Sir! have mercy on yourself!”
Evelina pleads with the young man to spare his own life as she seizes his pistols.
Key moment of Evelina's courageous intervention to prevent suicide.