Evelina · Chapter
Letter XVII: Evelina in Continuation explained
Evelina spends an uncomfortable day with Madame Duval, who insists she stay and meet her relations, the Branghtons.
What happens
Evelina spends an uncomfortable day with Madame Duval, who insists she stay and meet her relations, the Branghtons. The Branghtons are vulgar and intrusive, and Madame Duval cruelly reveals Evelina's private history. Evelina is mortified by the encounter and resolves to avoid them if possible.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Manners
The contrast between Evelina's refined sensibility and the Branghtons' vulgarity highlights class distinctions and the importance of manners in 18th-century society.
Family and Identity
Evelina's painful introduction to her Branghton relations and Madame Duval's revelation of her illegitimate birth underscore her struggle with family identity.
Satire of Society
The Branghtons' gauche behavior, their quarrel over age and height, and their ignorance of opera are satirized as examples of lower-middle-class pretension.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Evelina is distressed by Madame Duval's treatment and the vulgarity of the Branghtons, feeling shocked and indignant at the exposure of her private affairs.
- Madame Duval
Madame Duval insists Evelina stay with her, questions her incessantly, and cruelly reveals Evelina's history to the Branghtons, showing ingratitude toward Mr. Villars.
- Mr. Branghton
Mr. Branghton, Madame Duval's nephew, appears about forty, contracted and prejudiced, having spent his life in the city and showing contempt for those outside it.
- Miss Polly Branghton
Polly Branghton is rather pretty, very foolish, ignorant, giddy, and good-natured; she questions Evelina about her dress and shows curiosity about her family.
- Sir Clement Willoughby
Sir Clement Willoughby called earlier and was invited to dinner by Captain Mirvan, though he does not appear in the main events of this letter.
- Captain Mirvan
Captain Mirvan invited Sir Clement Willoughby to dinner, and is mentioned as having offended Madame Duval with his 'barbarous brutality.'
Key passages
“I found Madame Duval at breakfast in bed, though Monsieur Du Bois was in the chamber; which so much astonished me, that I was, involuntarily, retiring, without considering how odd an appearance my retreat would have, when Madame Duval called me back, and laughed very heartily at my ignorance of foreign customs.”
Evelina is shocked to find Madame Duval breakfasting in bed with Monsieur Du Bois present, and is embarrassed when Madame Duval mocks her for not understanding French customs.
Highlights Evelina's innocence and the cultural clash between English and French manners.
“But, is it not very extraordinary, that she can put me in situations so shocking, and then wonder to find me sensible of any concern?”
Evelina is incredulous that Madame Duval can place her in such distressing circumstances and then act surprised when she is upset.
Reflects Evelina's frustration with Madame Duval's insensitivity.