Just a reminder that Bill and Lynn lead-off with their discussion starters [today, see below]--we'll see where we go after that (perhaps look back to some passages that you cited last time)--it's likely that we will find some time to look at Vol.1.21, 1.31, 2.2, and 2.15 as well.
Stephan

Bill M.

Thesis: Evelina was not so much interested in finding her family as she was in finding the right family that would provide her with respectability and position.

Proof #1: She has been prejudiced against Madam Duval by the Rev. Villars and is instantly repulsed upon meeting her maternal grandmother (Letter 14 p148)

Proof #2: When she is introduced to some far relations (the Branghtons) she is disgusted by them as well and is not certain she would like to meet any others (Letter 17 170)

Lynn K.
English 404/540
8-30-05
Class Journal
Evelina criticizes the dinner served at the Branghtons as “ill-served, ill-cooked, and ill-managed,” and further states that “Had they been without pretensions, all this would have seemed of no consequence, but they aimed at appearing to advantage, and even fancied they succeeded.” (p. 291) Merriam-Webster defines pretension as “an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality” or a “false show.”
1. Compare the Branghtons' efforts to those of Evelina and other characters. Which of their actions seem pretentious? Why?
2. Evelina also comments on another character's “ignorance” (p. 253). How might ignorance play a part in pretentious behavior of some of the characters?