Evelina: The Comprehensible Guide to 18th Century Society

After having read of young ladies who follow paths that , to modern readers, may seem destructive, it is with great joy that Evelina makes her way into our hands. This pleasure comes in part from the resemblance of its flow to that we now associate with novels, but also in the way the society with which it interacts is presented to the reader. Evelina, through her letters, is sharing with the readers her own introduction to life in 18th century London, with all the social fumbles, the understanding and misunderstanding of the people with whom she interacts, the awe one feels in the space, and the dangers with which women were concerned.

Evelina is approached by a gentleman at her first private ball

Due to her own lack of knowledge concerning how to behave in this new environment, Evelina's experience is easy for a reader who is distanced from the time in which the story takes place to engage with. She is an excellent narrator and is quite easy to empathise with in her adventures. Perhaps the most relatable moment with Evelina happens during her first ball as she makes not of the gentlemen's attitudes towards the woman, which leads to her first major embarrassment. She states that:

"The gentlemen, as they passed and repassed, looked as if they thought we were quite at their disposal, and only waiting for the honour of their commands; and they sauntered about, in a careless, indolent manner, as if with a view to keep us in suspense. I don’t speak of this in regard to Miss Mirvan and myself only, but to the ladies in general: and I thought it so provoking, that I determined in my own mind that, far from humouring such airs, I would rather not dance at all, than with any one who would seem to think me ready to accept the first partner who would condescend to take me." (Burney, 120)

Indeed, this moment of reflection on the attitudes of the men is a very relatable one for modern female readers, as this experience is not an uncommon one for women to encounter, even to day. Evelina's decision to reject the advances of such "gentlemen" is admirable to a modern reader, as she is demonstrating self-assurance, independence, and is asserting that she is not merely a doll to be passed around. While a modern reader may cheer for Evelina's decision, both the reader and the character are brought to the truth of proper comportment in such events at the time:

"I had not once considered the impropriety of refusing one partner, and afterwards accepting another. I was thunderstruck at the recollection" (126)

Through Evelina's error, the reader is given a better understanding of the environment in which Frances Burney has placed her character. This is but one example of Evelina's misunderstanding of what is proper deportment in the text, and these moments allow for an easier entrance by modern reader. Although, I am sure, this had not been the intention of the author, it is beneficial for the novel's longevity.