Virginia S.
English 540
In-class Thesis/Discussion

By examining the perspectives of various characters in Frances Burney's Evelina, the reader can quickly get a sense of the many different roles marriage played in 18th century English society.

Madame Duval:
Means to an end: pp100-103 - We learn Madame Duval has been married twice already and is once again single. She went from a “waiting-girl at a tavern” (102) to a self-professed “person of fashion” “as good as Lady Howard, and as rich too” (147), no doubt because of the fortunes she collected from her two marriages.
Easy distribution of fortune: “Why,” cried she, “I have had grander views for you, myself, if once I could get you to Paris, and make you be owned; but, if I can't do that, and you can do no better, why, as you are both my relations, think to leave my fortune between you, and then, if you marry, you never need want for nothing” (369).
A threat: “…she would neither take me to Paris, nor any more interest herself in my affairs unless I would instantly agree to marry young Branghton” (381).

Mr. Smith:
The end of his life: “My dear Ma'am, you must be a little patient; I assure you I have no bad designs, I have not upon my word; but, really, there is no resolving upon such a thing as matrimony all at once; what with the loss of one's liberty, and what with the ridicule of all one's acquaintance, -I assure you, Ma'am, you are the first lady who ever made me even demur upon this subject; for, after all, my dear Ma'am, marriage is the devil!” (349).

Sir Clement:
Improvement (or maintenance) of station: “I think Miss Anville the loveliest of her sex, and, were I a marrying man, she, of all the women I have seen, I would fix upon for a wife: but I believe that not even the philosophy of your Lordship would recommend to me a connection of that sort, with a girl of obscure birth, whose only dowry is her beauty, and who is evidently in a state of dependency” (487).

Mrs. Selwyn:
Cover-up for a messy family situation: “…we agreed, that the most eligible scheme for all parties would be to have both the real and the fictitious daughter married without delay. Therefore, if either of you have any inclination to pull caps for the title of Miss Belmont, you must do it with all speed, as next week will take from both of you all pretensions to it” (521).

Evelina:
Romance: “This morning, with fearful joy, and trembling gratitude, she united herself for ever with the object of her dearest, her eternal affection” (554).