Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice

Burney chose a woman and one of ambiguous social status
for the role is curious. More curious is how Burney
characterizes her (560) .
The reader never has a clear picture of Mrs. Selwyn,
since those who describe her or interact with her can do
so only with the prejudice of the age for women of her
ilk. Epstein, however, speculates that "Burney uses her
to present a woman who is kind and compassionate to those
who deserve it and who achieves independent status
without compromising herself either socially or
personally" (Iron Pen 113) . Mrs. Selwyn does all of this
and more.
Whereas Mr. Villars, virtually disembodied
throughout much of the novel, is secluded at Berry Hill,
Mrs. Selwyn, full-bodied and vital, is situated
comfortably within the public social sphere, though we
are told she lives only three miles from Berry Hill
(191). In order to confirm a place for her in London
society, Burney describes her as "masculine," reinforcing
the eighteenth-century prejudice about strong women,
women with "masculine" abilities (300). Evelina goes on
with the description, telling Villars that, "her manners
deserve the same epithet; for in studying to acquire the
knowledge of the other sex, she has lost all the softness