Evelina; or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World
Frances BurneyMar 2015
Rating 3.7- Word count
- 193K words
- Chapters
- 91
Tags
Motivation and Growth High SocietyLondon SocietyWomen EducationDebut in SocietyHidden LineageForgivenessGrowing UpEpistolary FormEighteenth CenturyEtiquette NormsSummary
Leaving the secluded home of her guardian for the first time, the beautiful Evelina Anville is captivated by her new surroundings in London's beau monde, and in particular by the handsome, chivalrous Lord Orville. But her enjoyment soon turns to mortification at the hands of her vulgar and capricious grandmother, and at the unwanted advances of the rakish Sir Clement Willoughby, who torments the naive young woman. And while her aristocratic father refuses to acknowledge her legitimacy, Evelina can hold no hope of happiness with the man she loves. Published anonymously in 1778, Frances Burney's epistolary novel brought her instant fame when the secret of its authorship was revealed. With its ingenious combination of romance and satire, comedy and melodrama, Evelina is a sparkling depiction of the dangers and delights of fashionable society.Editor's review
Evelina is an epistolary coming-of-age novel about a young woman's first departure from her guardian's secluded home into fashionable London society. Its value lies in its detailed portrayal of how an inexperienced girl learns to tell kindness from insult in social settings: the appeal of elegant, chivalrous suitors, the embarrassment caused by vulgar relatives, and the unwanted attentions of frivolous men. The epistolary form keeps readers close to the heroine's observations and hesitations, making each social misstep and emotional fluctuation feel immediate. The novel's depiction of eighteenth-century English social customs and ideas of rank and propriety also offers a window onto the social structure of the period. Read it as a coming-of-age story with a comic novel of manners: watch how the heroine gradually forms her own judgment through trial and setback. It rewards readers interested in classic fiction and narratives of female development, who will enjoy savoring it slowly.Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers who enjoy epistolary novels and classic literary narrative
- Readers interested in eighteenth-century English social customs and women's circumstances
- Literary enthusiasts who prefer delicate psychological portrayal and coming-of-age themes
- University literature students looking to broaden their reading of classic novels
Not a good fit for
- Readers accustomed to fast-paced modern narrative and lacking patience
- Readers put off by the epistolary form and period social etiquette
- Readers hoping for intense action or suspenseful twists
Reading tips
- Begin with the opening letters to get used to the epistolary rhythm and character relationships before continuing.
- Jot down the main characters and social occasions as you read to help keep the complex personal interactions straight.
- Pay attention to the heroine's psychological shifts after each social encounter and follow the thread of her growth.
Contents
- 版权信息
- Chapter One
- ORIGINAL DEDICATION.
- ORIGINAL PREFACE.
- LETTER I
- LETTER II
- LETTER IV
- LETTER V
- LETTER VI
- LETTER VII
- LETTER VIII
- LETTER IX
- LETTER X
- LETTER XI
- LETTER XII
- LETTER XIII
- LETTER XIV.
- LETTER XV
- LETTER XVI
- LETTER XVII
- Chapter Two
- LETTER XVIII
- LETTER XIX
- LETTER XX
- LETTER XXI
- LETTER XXII
- LETTER XXIII
- LETTER XXIV
- LETTER XXV
- LETTER XXVI
- LETTER XXVIII
- LETTER XXIX
- LETTER XXX
- LETTER XXXI
- LETTER XXXII
- LETTER XXXIII
- LETTER XXXIV
- LETTER XXXV
- LETTER XXXVI
- LETTER XXXVII
- LETTER XXXVIII
- LETTER XXXIX
- LETTER XL
- Chapter Three
- LETTER XLI
- LETTER XLII
- LETTER XLIII
- LETTER XLIV
- LETTER XLV
- LETTER XLVI
- LETTER XLVII.
- LETTER XLVIII.
- LETTER XLIX.
- LETTER L.
- LETTER LI.
- Chapter Four
- LETTER LII.
- LETTER LIII.
- LETTER LIV.
- LETTER LV.
- LETTER LVI.
- LETTER LVII.
- LETTER LVIII.
- LETTER LIX.
- LETTER LX.
- LETTER LXI.
- LETTER LXII.
- LETTER LXIII.
- Chapter Five
- LETTER LXIV.
- LETTER LXV.
- LETTER LXVI.
- "SIR,
- LETTER LXVII.
- LETTER LXVIII.
- LETTER LXIX.
- LETTER LXX.
- LETTER LXXI.
- LETTER LXXII.
- LETTER LXXIII.
- LETTER LXXV.
- Chapter Six
- LETTER LXXVI.
- LETTER LXXVII.
- LETTER LXXVIII.
- LETTER LXXIX.
- LETTER LXXX.
- LETTER LXXXI.
- LETTER LXXXII.
- LETTER LXXXIII.
- LETTER LXXXIV.
FAQ
What are the characteristics of this book's narrative form?
The novel is epistolary, presenting the heroine's experiences and observations through multiple letters. This form keeps readers close to her inner hesitation and social judgments, and makes plot development depend on the exchange of letters; while reading, note the relationships between letter writers and recipients.What is the story mainly about?
It tells of young Evelina's first departure from her guardian's secluded home into fashionable London society: she is drawn to the new environment but also encounters embarrassment from vulgar relatives and unwanted attentions from frivolous men, while grappling with questions of rank and propriety.Can I understand it without knowing eighteenth-century English background?
You can follow the main plot, but social etiquette and ideas of rank affect how characters' behavior is understood. As you read, pay attention to relationships and changes of setting, and look up background where necessary; this will make the work's satire and delicacy easier to appreciate.This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
About the author
Frances Burney Author · British · 1752–1840Frances Burney (1752–1840) was an English novelist and diarist. Her best-known work is Evelina Or the History of a Young Ladys Entrance into the World, a novel that follows a young woman's entry into society and portrays her growth and the world she encounters; it is often grouped under inspirational coming-of-age writing. Burney's style is detailed and lively, and she is skilled at revealing social life through her characters' observations and experiences. Her writing had a profound influence on later fiction and holds a notable place in the development of the English novel. Besides fiction, she is known for her diaries, which record her life and the times she lived in and offer another perspective on her literary world. Publicly available details of her life are limited, so this introduction relies mainly on her representative work and its common classification.