February 2021: Evelina: Closing Thoughts

[Ruth]

In this coming of age novel, Evelina suffering and social experiences
leaves us to question uncertainties about women in a lesser standing,
inheritance and troubling risks of being a young woman in Georgian
Britain.

The novel suggests that this innocence comes from both her
Innate nature and the parenting of her guardian, Mr. Villars.

Given that many of the letters are written by Evelina, how did
you find her perspective?
And Villiers towards Evelina?
Lord Orville, drawn to Evelina for her innocence and
"quick parts" was he a suitable match?

Overall, was Miss Burney's story of Evelina satisfactory?

Please share you closing thoughts.

[Philina]

What I liked was that Orville respected and liked Evelina for herself despite her being poor.
In a way, he is rewarded for this when he later learns her true parentage.

[Hon Lady Selene]

I finished it.
I'm surprised I didn't just give up, it was a tedious read. I can only repeat myself in saying that Evelina never became a true character to me, she was a caricature from the first to the very last letter. Her innocence annoyed me. I see why Jane Austen liked her and drew from her, it must have been funny to Jane to see Evelina put herself in one embarrassing situation or the other. This was entertainment, back in the day.

It makes me a tad sad, it must have been so hard being a woman in Georgian Britain.

Why was it so controversial for a woman to just say "Stop. You are not listening to me. This is not what I meant, I do not wish to be misunderstood"?