# Letter XLIX: Mr. Villars to Evelina explained — Evelina

> Chapter companion for Evelina by Fanny Burney.

## What happens

Mr. Villars responds to Evelina's account of the pistol scene and her charity toward the desperate man, expressing both approval and caution. He rebukes Sir Clement Willoughby's insolence, dismisses the Branghtons as contemptible, and announces he will send Mrs. Clinton to bring Evelina to Howard Grove, longing to have her home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Reputation

Mr. Villars emphasizes that Evelina's charity is a duty and that her conduct must be guided by discretion and humanity.

### Gender and Power

Mr. Villars asserts that fortitude and firmness are as becoming in women as in men, though accommodated to their strength.

### Guardianship and Paternalism

Mr. Villars exercises his role as guardian by advising Evelina's conduct and arranging her return home.

## Character check-ins

### Evelina Anville

Praised for her humanity and courage; advised to exercise discretion and avoid Sir Clement Willoughby.

### Rev. Mr. Villars

Writes to express displeasure at Sir Clement's conduct, approve Evelina's charity, and announce plans for her return.

### Sir Clement Willoughby

Condemned for insolence and shocking suspicions; Mr. Villars insists Evelina must no longer converse with him.

### Mr. Branghton

Mentioned as one of the contemptible objects whose rudeness Evelina must endure.

### Mr. Smith

Dismissed along with the Branghtons as ill-bred and disagreeable.

### Mrs. Clinton

To be sent to town to accompany Evelina to Howard Grove.

## Key lines

> It is mine, however, to see that your generosity be not repressed by your suffering from indulging it; I remit to you, therefore, not merely a token of my approbation, but an acknowledgment of my desire to participate in your charity.

I want to ensure that your kindness is not discouraged by any hardship you face; I send you not only my approval but also my wish to share in your charitable act.

_Mr. Villars supports Evelina's generosity and sends money to participate in her charity._

> Though gentleness and modesty are the peculiar attributes of your sex, yet fortitude and firmness, when occasion demands them, are virtues as noble and as becoming in women as in men.

While gentleness and modesty are especially associated with women, courage and resolve are equally admirable in both sexes when the situation calls for them.

_Mr. Villars encourages Evelina to be brave when necessary, challenging strict gender norms._

> As to Sir Clement Willoughby, I know not how to express my indignation at his conduct. Insolence so insufferable, and the implication of suspicions so shocking, irritate me to a degree of wrath...

I am so outraged by Sir Clement Willoughby's behavior that I can hardly describe it; his unbearable insolence and shocking insinuations have made me extremely angry.

_Mr. Villars is furious at Sir Clement's treatment of Evelina and insists she avoid him._

## Links

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