Summary
An Unwelcome Family Reunion
Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Fanny Burney
Evelina's evening at the puppet show takes a dramatic turn when the Mirvans encounter a stranded foreign woman seeking help. Captain Mirvan's xenophobic hostility toward the stranger leads to an increasingly heated argument in their coach, with both parties trading insults about nationality and social class. The woman claims to know Lady Howard and boasts of her own status, while the Captain grows more aggressive and threatening. The shocking revelation comes when the woman identifies herself as Madame Duval—Evelina's grandmother, whom she has never met. This discovery devastates Evelina, who faints from the emotional shock of meeting her estranged family member under such terrible circumstances. The next day's visit proves equally challenging, as Madame Duval reveals her plan to take Evelina back to France with her, having only recently learned of her granddaughter's existence after her husband's death. Despite showing some genuine emotion at their reunion, Madame Duval speaks bitterly about Evelina's father and benefactor Mr. Villars. The chapter explores themes of family obligation versus chosen relationships, the destructive power of prejudice, and the complex emotions surrounding long-lost family connections. Evelina finds herself torn between duty to her newly discovered grandmother and loyalty to those who have actually cared for her, while dreading the possibility of being forced to leave England and the only home she's known.
Coming Up in Chapter 15
Mr. Villars responds to Evelina's shocking news about meeting her grandmother. His wisdom and guidance will be crucial as Evelina faces the difficult decision about her future and navigates this unexpected family crisis.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
EVELINA IN CONTINUATION. Queen Ann Street, April 13. HOW much will you be surprised, my dearest Sir, at receiving another letter, from London, of your Evelina's writing! But, believe me, it was not my fault, neither is it my happiness, that I am still here: our journey has been postponed by an accident equally unexpected and disagreeable. We went last night to see the Fantoccini, where we had infinite entertainment from the performance of a little comedy in French and Italian, by puppets, so admirably managed, that they both astonished and diverted us all, except the Captain, who has a fixed and most prejudiced hatred of whatever is not English. When it was over, while we waited for the coach, a tall elderly woman brushed quickly past us, calling out, "My God, what shall I do?" "Why, what would you do?" cried the Captain. "Ma foi, Monsieur," answered she, "I have lost my company, and in this place I don't know nobody." There was something foreign in her accent, though it was difficult to discover whether she was an English or a French woman. She was very well dressed; and seemed so entirely at a loss what to do, that Mrs. Mirvan proposed to the Captain to assist her. "Assist her!" cried he, "ay, with all my heart;-let a link-boy call her a coach." There was not one to be had, and it rained very fast. "Mon Dieu!" exclaimed the stranger, "what shall become of me? Je suis au desespoir!" "Dear Sir," cried Miss Mirvan, "pray let us take the poor lady into our coach. She is quite alone, and a foreigner-" "She's never the better for that," answered he: "she may be a woman of the town, for anything you know." "She does not appear such," said Mrs. Mirvan; "and indeed she seems so much distressed, that we shall but follow the golden rule, if we carry her to her lodgings." "You are mighty fond of new acquaintance," returned he; "but first let us know if she be going our way." Upon inquiry, we found that she lived in Oxford Road; and, after some disputing, the Captain surlily, and, with a very bad grace, consented to admit her into his coach; though he soon convinced us, that he was determined she should not be too much obliged to him, for he seemed absolutely bent upon quarrelling with her: for which strange inhospitality I can assign no other reason, than that she appeared to be a foreigner. The conversation began, by her telling us, that she had been in England only two days; that the gentlemen belonging to her were Parisians, and had left her to see for a hackney-coach, as her own carriage was abroad; and that she had waited for them till she was quite frightened, and concluded that they had lost themselves. "And pray," said the Captain, "why did you go to a public place without an Englishman?" "Ma foi, Sir," answered she, "because none of my...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Forced Family - When Blood Ties Become Chains
When distant relatives appear with instant claims on your life, wielding blood ties as weapons to demand loyalty they haven't earned through actual relationship.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when people use family obligation or guilt to manipulate your choices for their benefit.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone says 'but we're family' or 'after everything I've done' to pressure you into compliance—these phrases often signal emotional manipulation rather than genuine relationship building.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Fantoccini
Elaborate puppet shows popular in 18th century London, featuring marionettes performing plays in multiple languages. These were sophisticated entertainment for the middle and upper classes, combining theater, music, and technical skill.
Modern Usage:
Like going to see a Cirque du Soleil performance or immersive theater experience - entertainment that shows off artistic technique and cultural sophistication.
Link-boy
Young men who carried torches to light the way through dark London streets at night, essentially human streetlights. They were hired to escort people safely and help them find transportation.
Modern Usage:
Similar to calling an Uber or asking a security guard to walk you to your car in a dark parking lot.
Xenophobia
Fear or hatred of foreigners and foreign customs, clearly shown in Captain Mirvan's automatic hostility toward anyone not English. This prejudice was common among certain classes who saw outsiders as threats to their way of life.
Modern Usage:
Still exists today in anti-immigrant sentiment, refusing to help someone because of their accent, or assuming foreigners are somehow inferior or dangerous.
Social obligation vs. chosen family
The conflict between duty to blood relatives versus loyalty to people who actually care for you. Evelina faces pressure to honor her grandmother simply because they're related, despite never knowing her.
Modern Usage:
Like feeling obligated to help toxic family members just because they're family, versus prioritizing the friends who've actually been there for you.
Class anxiety
The fear of not belonging in your social circle or being exposed as somehow inferior. Both Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval use class insults to attack each other when threatened.
Modern Usage:
Imposter syndrome at work, or people putting others down to make themselves feel better about their own insecurities.
Emotional manipulation
Using guilt, family duty, or emotional appeals to control someone's behavior. Madame Duval immediately tries to claim Evelina and remove her from her stable home environment.
Modern Usage:
Relatives who show up after years of absence demanding attention, or parents who guilt-trip their adult children into making major life changes.
Characters in This Chapter
Evelina
Protagonist
Experiences the shock of meeting her estranged grandmother under terrible circumstances. Her fainting and distress show how unprepared she is for family drama and divided loyalties.
Modern Equivalent:
The young adult who discovers difficult family secrets and has to navigate competing demands from people claiming to know what's best for her
Captain Mirvan
Antagonist
His xenophobic hostility toward the foreign woman escalates into cruel verbal abuse. His prejudices create the hostile environment that makes the family reunion even more traumatic.
Modern Equivalent:
The bigoted relative who embarrasses everyone at family gatherings with their prejudiced comments and aggressive behavior
Madame Duval
Disruptive family member
Evelina's grandmother appears as a demanding stranger who immediately tries to uproot her granddaughter's life. Shows both genuine emotion and manipulative behavior.
Modern Equivalent:
The absent parent or grandparent who suddenly shows up making demands and trying to take control after years of not being involved
Mrs. Mirvan
Voice of reason
Tries to mediate between her husband's hostility and the stranger's distress. Represents the attempt to maintain civility in an increasingly ugly situation.
Modern Equivalent:
The family peacekeeper who tries to smooth over conflicts and make everyone get along, often at their own expense
Key Quotes & Analysis
"My God, what shall I do?"
Context: Her first words when lost and seeking help from strangers
This vulnerable moment contrasts sharply with her later demanding behavior. It shows how people can shift from helpless to controlling when they feel more secure.
In Today's Words:
I'm completely lost and panicking - someone please help me!
"Assist her! ay, with all my heart;-let a link-boy call her a coach."
Context: His sarcastic response to his wife's suggestion they help the stranded woman
Shows his immediate hostility toward foreigners and his idea of 'help' - minimal effort to get rid of an unwanted person. His prejudice overrides basic human decency.
In Today's Words:
Sure, I'll help her - by getting someone else to deal with her so she's not my problem.
"Je suis au desespoir!"
Context: Her French exclamation when no coach can be found in the rain
Her switch to French when distressed reveals her true cultural identity and triggers the Captain's xenophobic reaction. Language becomes a weapon in their class warfare.
In Today's Words:
I'm absolutely desperate! This is a disaster!
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Evelina's sense of self is shattered by discovering family that contradicts everything she thought she knew about her origins
Development
Previously focused on social identity and class; now confronting fundamental questions about family identity
In Your Life:
You might face this when DNA tests reveal unexpected family or when estranged relatives resurface with new information about your past
Class
In This Chapter
Madame Duval's foreign status and lower origins become weapons in Captain Mirvan's xenophobic attacks
Development
Class prejudice now intersects with nationalism and xenophobia, showing how multiple forms of discrimination compound
In Your Life:
You see this when people use someone's background or accent to dismiss their legitimate concerns or needs
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Evelina is expected to instantly embrace and obey a grandmother she's never met simply because of blood relation
Development
Moving beyond general social rules to examine how family obligations can override personal choice
In Your Life:
You might face this pressure when family members expect automatic loyalty regardless of their past behavior toward you
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Evelina must navigate competing loyalties between her chosen family (Mr. Villars) and biological family (Madame Duval)
Development
Growth now requires choosing between different definitions of family and obligation
In Your Life:
You face this when you must decide whether to prioritize people who raised you or biological relatives who suddenly appear
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The contrast between Mr. Villars' earned love and Madame Duval's demanded obedience reveals different models of family connection
Development
Exploring how genuine relationships differ from obligatory ones, even within families
In Your Life:
You see this difference between people who've consistently shown care versus those who expect it based on titles or roles alone
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Evelina faint when she discovers Madame Duval is her grandmother, and what does this reaction tell us about the power of unexpected family obligations?
analysis • surface - 2
How does Madame Duval use guilt and blood relation to make claims on Evelina's life, despite being absent for years?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'instant family obligation' playing out in modern life - relatives appearing with demands after years of absence?
application • medium - 4
If you were Evelina, how would you balance respect for your grandmother with loyalty to Mr. Villars, who actually raised you?
application • deep - 5
What's the difference between family by blood and family by choice, and why does society often prioritize genetics over genuine relationships?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Emotional Manipulation
Create two columns: 'What Madame Duval Says' and 'What She's Really Doing.' List her words and actions, then identify the manipulation tactics behind each one. Notice how she uses guilt, obligation, and family duty to control Evelina without offering genuine relationship or care.
Consider:
- •Look for language that creates instant obligation without earned relationship
- •Notice how she dismisses the people who actually cared for Evelina
- •Pay attention to what she offers versus what she demands
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone used family obligation or guilt to pressure you into something. How did you handle it, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 15: A Guardian's Protective Warning
In the next chapter, you'll discover to navigate family dynamics when relatives have different values, and learn maintaining your principles even when pressured by difficult people. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.
