Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice
Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice
and well being of his charge. The problem with Villars is the convoluted thinking and subversive language he employs to explain to himself and to the world that Evelina's position in his world is in her best interests. There may be those who know Caroline Evelyn's story. If so, they would understand that she claims to have been married to Sir John Belmont, and that she is the mother of the real daughter. There would be no need for Villars to reveal the mother's identity. In the same vein, those who know Miss Evelyn's story and do not believe that she was married to Sir John would already have stigmatized Caroline, and her memory would not be one of "fair fame," as Villars like to think (374). Evelina's reputation is already in question. Without proper credentials, Evelina's upbringing and family history are left to speculation and gossip. Lovel and Willoughby immediately assume that Evelina is a lovely bastard, a toy not to be taken seriously in the marriage market society of London. There are those who know the story of Sir John Belmont and Miss Evelyn, and they make it unlikely that such a small community of upper class landed gentry and nobility, especially someone such as Lovel, who prides himself on knowing everything about everyone, would be
ignorant of this one young woman, or of Sir John Belmont's past and the daughter he now has with him. While trying to persuade Evelina to come home to him permanently and retire to country life, Villars assures her that time is of the essence to reveal her true past, "since the longer this mystery is suffered to continue, the more difficult may be rendered its explanation" (374). After seventeen years, time finally catches up with Villars, who has tried desperately from the beginning never to reveal Evelina's identity. He has hidden away the letter written by Caroline Evelyn, the one piece of textual proof of Evelina's identity, from Evelina and her father. He states in ambiguous terms that it, "behoves us to enquire" about the matter (373). He continues to write from Berry Hill, reluctant as always to come to the aid of an Evelyn, and for the third time in as many generations, the Reverend Mr. Villars leaves his charge to meet her fate alone (373). Ultimately, the paper will not convince Sir John Belmont of Evelina's identity; her striking resemblance to her mother will, a resemblance that is not recognized or spoken of by any other character in the book. Lady Howard, Mr. Villars, Captain and Mrs. Mirvan, and Madame Duval all would have seen the resemblance. Others in
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ignorant of this one young woman, or of Sir John<br />
Belmont's past and the daughter he now has with him.<br />
While trying to persuade <strong>Evelina</strong> to come home to him<br />
permanently and retire to country life, Villars assures<br />
her that time is of the essence to reveal her true past,<br />
"since the longer this mystery is suffered to continue,<br />
the more difficult may be rendered its explanation"<br />
(374). After seventeen years, time finally catches up<br />
with Villars, who has tried desperately from the<br />
beginning never to reveal <strong>Evelina</strong>'s identity. He has<br />
hidden away the letter written by Caroline Evelyn, the<br />
one piece of textual proof of <strong>Evelina</strong>'s identity, from<br />
<strong>Evelina</strong> and her father. He states in ambiguous terms<br />
that it, "behoves us to enquire" about the matter (373).<br />
He continues to write from Berry Hill, reluctant as<br />
always to come to the aid of an Evelyn, and for the third<br />
time in as many generations, the Reverend Mr. Villars<br />
leaves his charge to meet her fate alone (373).<br />
Ultimately, the paper will not convince Sir John Belmont<br />
of <strong>Evelina</strong>'s identity; her striking resemblance to her<br />
mother will, a resemblance that is not recognized or<br />
spoken of by any other character in the book. Lady<br />
Howard, Mr. Villars, Captain and Mrs. Mirvan, and Madame<br />
Duval all would have seen the resemblance. Others in
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