# Letter XLVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars explained — Evelina

> Chapter companion for Evelina by Fanny Burney.

## What happens

Evelina describes a disagreeable evening at Vauxhall with the Branghtons, Madame Duval, and Mr. Smith, where she is subjected to Mr. Smith's unwelcome attentions and the vulgarity of the party. She unexpectedly encounters Sir Clement Willoughby, who rescues her from Mr. Smith's harassment but then behaves with disrespectful familiarity, causing Evelina discomfort and embarrassment. The evening ends with tension among the party and Evelina's relief to return home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Manners

Evelina's discomfort with the Branghtons' vulgarity and Sir Clement's shifting behavior based on her companions highlight class distinctions and social propriety.

### Satire of Society

The Branghtons' obsession with cost, their lack of refinement, and Mr. Smith's pretensions are satirized through Evelina's critical observations.

### Gender and Power

Evelina is subjected to Mr. Smith's unwanted physical familiarity and Sir Clement's intrusive questioning, illustrating the limited power of women in social settings.

## Character check-ins

### Evelina Anville

Narrates the letter; feels trapped by the Branghton party and mortified by Sir Clement's witnessing their vulgarity.

### Madame Duval

Organizes the Vauxhall outing; is enraged by Sir Clement's interference and later by his boldness.

### Sir Clement Willoughby

Unexpectedly encounters Evelina at Vauxhall; rescues her from Mr. Smith but behaves with disrespectful familiarity, questioning her change in companions.

### Mr. Smith

Forces his attentions on Evelina at Vauxhall; is humiliated by Sir Clement's superior manners and presence.

### Mr. Branghton

Part of the Vauxhall party; becomes angry with his children for their behavior during the evening.

### Miss Polly Branghton

Attempts to attract Sir Clement's notice but fails; her frolic ends in distress.

## Key lines

> The hautbois in the open air is heavenly.

The oboe played outdoors sounded divine.

_Evelina expresses aesthetic pleasure despite her disagreeable company._

> He seems disposed to think that the alteration in my companions authorises an alteration in his manners.

He appears to believe that the change in my associates justifies a change in how he treats me.

_Evelina criticizes Sir Clement for treating her with less respect due to her current vulgar companions._

> I could almost have laughed when I looked at Mr. Smith, who no sooner saw me addressed by Sir Clement, than, retreating aloof from the company, he seemed to lose at once all his happy self-sufficiency and conceit.

I nearly laughed at Mr. Smith, who, upon seeing Sir Clement speak to me, withdrew and instantly lost all his smug confidence.

_Evelina observes Mr. Smith's deflation when confronted with Sir Clement's superior social status._

## Links

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