“Remember, my dear Evelina, nothing is so delicate as the reputation of a woman; it is at once the most beautiful and most brittle of all human things.” Mr. Villars, 166

This quote frames an interesting perspective about what Evelina’s role is in society as well as the role of young girls around her age. Mr. Villars takes this letter to inform Evelina of the standards that she would be held to while she lived in London. They were expected to be pure and virtuous for the good of attracting a man. In fact, it seems that Evelina’s innocence is what attracts men to her. She must retain this virtue though, because if she were to lose it then she would have no hope of finding a good man for marriage. However, men are not placed in a similar constricting structure. This sounds oddly familiar. Oh that’s right, this is the same theme that we saw in reading Pamela. Expect, here in Evelina, men could still have a bad reputation and it would not even faze them for a second. They act as they wish and do as they please. This is the realism and emphasis on the natural that Evelina’s theme seeks to demonstrate. Surprisingly, this approach gives the story some creditability because modern culture sees this all the time.

George Clooney is one of Hollywood’s biggest bad boys. Many would say he is out of control and cannot be tamed. He is like a dog, and the world is his fire hydrant (you can imagine the rest of that analogy). Would you consider him to be bad? Sure, he is a heart breaker and seems to not be fazed by female emotion (Like Lord Merton). Yet, no one is going to stop going to see his newest movies or endorse his latest charity causes. Society seems to just turn their backs and accept his actions. But the second Kristen Stewart is caught playing tonsil hockey with another man, the whole vampire world comes to a screeching halt and suddenly she is on everyone’s hate list. Where are women held to such a high standard while men are given a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card? Sometimes, men are even praised for these acts.

It’s about time that women are given their own ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card! Women should not be judged on the basis of a separate set of rules compared to men. Since men are not willing to give up these freebie cards, then it is only fair to share these cards with the female population. Don’t mistake my comments. For I am not encouraging the misconduct or abuse of this situation, but rather, I am encouraging that society (men) give some grace whenever a time does come that a women conducts herself in an obscene way. Before we judge the other sex, we should place our own sex into the equation and see how the results would look then. If they were different, then I would act the way that you would if it were your own gender. This is not a perfect way of creating equality, however, it is a fair start.

In the first volume of Evelina, it is hard to overlook her naivety.  From the beginning of the novel, we learn of Evelina’s seclusion from the world.  Since the last girl Mr. Villars was left to care for eventually messed up to the point of suicide, his overprotection is pretty understandable.  Protecting a young girl’s innocence is important, especially when you consider Evelina’s mother’s situation.  The main problem with being secluded from the world is the lack of preparation for worldly matters.  You can tell from Evelina’s letter to Mr. Villars asking if she could go to London that she is overly excited to visit London.  I can’t help but think of a young high school graduate who has been sheltered her entire life.  As soon as she gets a taste of freedom, she’ll want to experience things that she’d never been able to get away with living with her parents.  The lack of preparation leaves Evelina basically thrown into the world headfirst.

The first sign of something going wrong in London is foreshadowed in Evelina’s letter to Mr. Villars describing her initial experiences in London.  Evelina has been overly excited to experience the theatre earlier in the novel and gets to enjoy her experience, but nothing else about London is as grand as she had anticipates.  So her experience at the ball isn’t much of a surprise.  Evelina isn’t truly accustomed to the proper ball etiquettes and basically makes a fool of her self.  Lord Orville can’t get a good conversation because she is too scared to talk to him.  You’d think she’d be able to hold a good conversation at the least, but no, she’s too unprepared.  Then she gets harassed and embarrassed by Sir Willoughby.  I don’t blame Evelina for being ready to run back to her sheltered lifestyle.  I guess the world is too full of risks.  Everything seems to be a downgrade from home.  This makes it even more interesting that after meeting her grandmother, Evelina feels the same about her grandmother’s family.  It is funny how we, as readers, keep getting these bad descriptions of Madame Duval.  Once Evelina gives a description of her dress and make-up, I couldn’t help but think of an old woman who has not yet learned to grow up.  She doesn’t seem like she’s the model of a woman that Evelina should be looking up to.

The story does not start with a letter from Evelina. Instead, the beginning of the novel consists of numerous letters written between Lady Howard and Mr. Villars. Is this strange? I think Burney starts the story this way in order to show that Evelina has been living a restricted life. The letters make Evelina appear innocent and very dependent. The adults are speaking about her in a manner that makes her seem like a little girl. Decisions are being made for her, such as her going to Howard Grove. Later on, Evelina writes a letter to Mr. Villars begging him to let her go to London in a childish manner. The letters also portray Evelina as an ignorant girl. Even though London does not meet her expectations, she is still fascinated by the city. At the ball, she does not realize the rules of society (refusing Mr. Lovel but accepting Lord Orville). Throughout her travels, she meets men in different classes who pursue her. She is surprised by some of the men’s actions towards her. Why are their actions a surprise to her? My guess is that Mr. Villars has been overprotective. Evelina has not really experienced life before leaving Mr. Villars.

Is it a good thing that Evelina is finally integrated into society? While one may argue that Evelina was too protected and needed to experience the world, one could also argue that Evelina is not prepared to go out into the world. What kinds of decisions would Evelina make if she did not turn to Mr. Villars in her letters? Who would assist her at events if Mrs. Mirvan and Maria were not there? How would Evelina react in troubling situations if Lord Orville was not there for her?

The world is not portrayed as a happy place for Evelina. She does not know who she is. She is constantly defending herself from men. She must turn to everyone for help. For Evelina, life is a struggle (something I do not think she expected). So, even though Evelina is finally experiencing life and is in the process of discovering who she is, can she become her own person? Will she always be portrayed as an ignorant and dependent woman? I think this book is not only about Evelina finding herself, but it is also a story that questions and explores women’s place in society (Evelina representing females in the 18^th century). Women probably wanted to know what it would be like if they were somehow held to a different standard by men. Women probably wanted to have an interesting social life and experience the world (in a way that was new to them). Women probably dreamed of going to a ball and dancing with a Lord (similar to Cinderella). Burney uses Evelina in order to explore issues that women faced in the 18^th century.

I find it fascinating that in the two novels studied thus far, certain male characters cannot grasp the concept of consent. Even more fascinating are the parallels between the treatment of vulnerable women in the stories with the treatment of ordinary women in modern society.

In letter XIII, Evelina describes a rather unfortunate incident with a slimy fellow called Sir Clement Willoughby at an “assembly,” during which he harasses, insults, and terrifies Evelina to the point of tears. I would now like to compare Willoughby’s crude actions (that seem almost laughable because of the extent of his ridiculousness, but are actually frightening in nature and common treatment of men towards women in numerous areas of society) to admired pop music of 2013 and discuss how the case of Willoughby’s cat calls have not left our society, even 230 years later.

Robin Thicke’s song “Blurred Lines” was the musical sensation of the summer. I’ll let his “lyrics” speak for themselves (I’ve omitted redundant parts of the song to spare readers):

[Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you’re an animal, baby, it’s in your nature
Just let me liberate you
Hey, hey, hey
You don’t need no papers
Hey, hey, hey
That man is not your maker

[Chorus: Robin Thicke]
And that’s why I’m gon’ take a good girl
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You’re a good girl
Can’t let it get past me
You’re far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you’re a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me

[Verse 2: Robin Thicke]
What do they make dreams for
When you got them jeans on
What do we need steam for
You the hottest b*tch in this place
I feel so lucky
Hey, hey, hey
You wanna hug me
Hey, hey, hey
What rhymes with hug me?
Hey, hey, hey

[Verse 3: T.I.]
One thing I ask of you
Let me be the one you back that a** to
Go, from Malibu, to Paris, boo
Yeah, I had a bitch, but she ain’t bad as you
So hit me up when you passing through
I’ll give you something big enough to tear you’re a** in two
Swag on, even when you dress casual
I mean it’s almost unbearable
In a hundred years not dare, would I
Pull a Pharside let you pass me by
Nothing like your last guy, he too square for you
He don’t smack that a** and pull your hair like that
So I just watch and wait for you to salute
But you didn’t pick
Not many women can refuse this pimpin’
I’m a nice guy, but don’t get it if you get with me

[Bridge: Robin Thicke]
Shake the vibe, get down, get up
Do it like it hurt, like it hurt
What you don’t like work?

[Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
Baby can you breathe? I got this from Jamaica
It always works for me, Dakota to Decatur, uh huh
No more pretending
Hey, hey, hey
Cause now you winning
Hey, hey, hey
Here’s our beginning

Discussion on the alarming and misogynistic implications behind Thicke’s song will be saved for another post entirely. While Willoughby is not as outright and repulsive as this song, there are similarities to their tunes: Willoughby repeatedly refers to Evelina as a “creature,” (135) he expresses his passion towards her as “violent” (136), he “begs” her to have a dance with him and uses other demanding language, he criticizes her partner for being a “fool! Idiot! Booby!,” and, finally, forces Evelina to choose between dancing with him or leaving the dance entirely (neither of which she wishes to do).

I can only imagine Thicke’s song being played in the background as Willoughby boldly pushes Evelina into submission. What is more unsettling is that if we replaced 1778 with 2013, an 18^th century assembly with a typical Friday night at Scruff’s, and Willoughby with Will – we have an accurate portrayal of this behavior from the novel on a weekly basis. My point is that for whatever reason (be it patriarchy, systematic oppression, capitalism, or Adam and Eve), women have never possessed autonomy over their own bodies and are not taken seriously when they say no, however loudly, clearly, or absolutely, as depicted, once again, in this piece of literature. A key question to pose is – did Burney write this scene as a reflection of actual male character in her society or is this a fabrication for the sake of the arts? My guess is that Willoughby was based on true events, just as sleazy guys that just can’t seem to understand that no does not mean “convince me” or “if you ask more than once, maybe I’ll change my mind” exist in bars playing “Blurred Lines” even today.

Pamela and Evelina tell similar stories but with completely different heroic approaches. Both stories focus on two girls who are treading between social classes not sure what their circumstances will amount to, but Pamela approaches her situation with the utmost attempted humility and dramatic serenity while Evelina, much to my own amusement, stumbles her way through her “coming of class” and portrays a much more realistic story of what might actually happen if someone raised in essentially an isolated countryside were suddenly thrust into high society. Perhaps since Pamela was written by a male in order to display the virtue and grace a noble woman of the time was to embody, his heroine had no choice but to receive her marriage to Mr. B with the highest level of meekness as was (partially) believable. We discussed over and over how her dramatic words of self-denial annoyed us to no end and how we just wanted her to stand up to Mr. B and flatly reject his offers without hesitation (or humility) and to take action to permanently remove herself from his presence.

Evelina is different in that her situation is completely unpredictable to the reader, because well, it is unpredictable to her. Evelina is given the opportunity to come to exciting city of London after spending her entire childhood under the close eye of Mr. Villars, and she undergoes what I would assume people in the late 1700s would equate with a teenager today moving out of the house and going to college—complete with awkward interactions with boys at balls, unwanted speculation by the “in crowd” and pretend kidnaps with wigs left behind in ditches.

Evelina provides a fresh outlook by an author who writes as if almost jaded by the notion of high society, an outlook we find everywhere today that is still a foundation for many good stories. Even though our heroine looks like the fool without the knowledge of how to act at a dance or how to physically act like a lady (referencing when she basically jumps M. Du Bois to prevent him from committing suicide, which was AWESOME), her very real struggle of separating herself from the country identity she is slightly ashamed of, yet her inability to outright give it up is so pertinent, making Evelina seem so much more real to me than Pamela. She is a dynamic character that has many quirks and emotional sides to her that make her interesting and makes the reader pay attention.

The importance of a name has great significance in our reading of Evelina. Evelina herself has lost possession of her name. We see this in the first letter in which she tells Mr. Villars that, “I cannot to you sign Anville, and what other name may I claim?” (115). What exactly does this mean for our heroine? For one, those who know her true name have power over her, one can observe this in the way her grandmother, Madame Duval, manipulates her. More specifically this is seen when Madame Duval brings up the prospect of contacting Evelina’s absent father. To what name does Evelina belong, and what will this name reveal about our character? Does her father have something to hide, since he has not sought Evelina out? There also exists a certain type of power in the use of a name or the withholding of one. For instance, at the second ball which Evelina attends she tells Sir Willoughby that she cannot dance with him because she is promised to another. Her refusal to name her supposed dance partner allowed Evelina to assert a power over Willoboughy, the power being that she can deny him her hand for a dance. Later on that night, Evelina is caught in a lie,  and it is made known that she has no partner, but had Lord Orville in mind. Lord Orville later approaches her and says, “Be not distressed, I beseech you; I shall ever think my name honoured by you making use of it” (142). The gift of Lord Orville’s name to Evelina is a great honor to a lady of unknown past. A Victorian woman’s identity was tied to the male, and it is interesting to think that this novel may be a quest of feminine identity. I did an internet search to find the meaning of Evelina’s first name, and it was revealed to mean light or life. Does this have any significance to the novel, was it selected for a purpose? Only time will tell, but the symbols of light or a new life does suggest some kind of revelation further on in the novel.