Evelina (By Frances Burney) - The Perfection Of Femininity Essays

Evelina (By Frances Burney) - The Perfection Of Femininity EVELINA: PERFECTION OF FEMININITY When Frances Burney wrote Evelina in the Eighteenth Century, she was able to capture the essence of what it meant to be a female at this time in history. Throughout the novel, the character of Evelina captures the hearts of those around her. Mr. Villars describes Evelina as ?this artless young creature, with too much beauty to escape notice? (19). The character of Evelina encompasses the traits attributed to the description of the female gender. These traits include a focus on the importance of reputation; a lack of passion; and distinct physical attributes. Above all else, Evelina holds her reputation in highest regards. Eighteenth Century literature focuses on the belief that an individual's external behavior reflected his or her interior belief system. In ?An Essay on Man,? Alexander Pope writes, ?Know then thyself, presume not God to scan / The proper study of mankind is man? (II. 1-2). Eighteenth Century society judges individuals based on their outside appearance. Throughout the novel, Evelina emphasizes her concern with what other people think of her. When Evelina is in the company of Madame Duval and her Branghton cousins, she oftentimes hides from her acquaintances, embarassed to be seen in such company. Upon being seen by Lord Orville when she is accompanied by prostitutes, Evelina laments, ?How vainly, how proudly have I wished to avoid meeting him when only with the Branghtons and Madame Duval,-but now, how joyful should I be had he seen me to no greater disadvantage? (265). Evelina's fears her reputation can easily be marred, should just one man, such as Lord Orville, hold her in low regard. Lord Orville's opinion of Evelina plays an important role in her life, because her primary cause for guarding her reputation is its importance in courtship. Mr. Villars wisely reminds Evelina, ?Remember...nothing is so delicate as the reputation of a woman; it is, at once, the most beautiful and most brittle of human things? (184). The noblemen of the Eighteenth Century sought women with virtuous reputations. Evelina cautiously regards her suitors, chastising Sir Clement for his ?insolence? (221). In several instances, Sir Clement attempts to ?affront? Evelina and he offends her with his sexual aggressiveness. On one occassion, Sir Clement discovers Evelina when she has been seperated from her party. He uses the opportunity to lead her away into the dark alleys and when Evelina is offended, he cries, ?Good God!-good Heaven!-my dearest life, what is it I have done?-what is it I have said (221). Evelina refuses to be treated as woman whose virtue could be in question. For example, after sending a letter of apology Lord Orville for her party using his carriage without permission, Evelina is mortified when Lord Orville sends a response which implies her intention to be impure. Evelina's main concern is that others think highly of her, especially when it comes to her virtue. While Evelina does keep her virtue intact, the most potentially damaging aspect of her character are the circumstances of her birth. Since her father has not claimed her as his legitimate child, Evelina must assume the false name of Anville. Lady Howard writes to Lord Belmont, informing him, ?To be owned properly by you, is the first wish of her heart? (148). It is not until Lord Belmont acknowledges Evelina as his daughter that she is able to achieve true harmony in her life. From this point on, Evelina's life achieves near-perfection. She marries the man of her dreams, holds a high place in society, and both her reputation and the reputation of her mother is clear. While Evelina exalts in her reunion with her father, she feels uncomfortable expressing the strong emotions she feels on such an occassion. This is due to the fact that the ideal Eighteenth Century female was unable to display passion. Evelina acts passive and agreeable, just as Evelina does in her conversations with the Branghton sisters. After being asked what she thinks of Mr. Brown, Evelina replies, ?I am no judge,-but I think his person is very-very well? (190). Evelina's ambiguous response perplexes the sisters, because she has skirted the issue at hand. Evelina also manages to remain unsided when the Branghtons ask her to vote on their choice of activities for the evening. Evelina responds, ?I said, that as I was ignorant what choice was in my power, I must beg to hear their decisions first? (214). Evelina never casts a vote and the party remains at home. While Evelina may

New England Generation essays

New England Generation essays The Great Migration offered religious freedom to the Puritans and an economic enhancement to the English settlers. Due to such prospects, New England was considered to be a land of opportunity for newcomers who have always desired of the dreamland. During seventeenth century, there was a great abruption in population and expansion of corrupted religions in England. In order to purify the corrupted Church of England, the Puritans were seeking after a new opportunity for religious freedom. They believed that New England was God ¡Ã‚ ¯s answer for them to serve the Lord, free from corruption. Their Puritan beliefs were the main motivation for the emigrants to abandon their homeland. Convincing themselves to be separated from their relatives and taking a life-risking journey could not have been ordinary. Anderson also narrates  ¡Ã‚ °I argue that religious factors predominated in making the difficult decision to leave England. ¡ (Pg 8, Anderson) Many began their journey to New England in attempt to create a society that would serve as an example for other cities to follow. New England turned out to be an opportunity for religious freedom for the Puritans. Since there was no government to regulate their spiritual life and no pre-existing social pattern to follow, the Puritans could practice their religion the way they wanted to. Also uncontrolled church services allowed the Puritans to keep a closer relationship with God. They did not have to worry about the persecution for the personal meetings they held amongst themselves. In achieving freedom, many believed that God played a vital role in their daily lives.  ¡Ã‚ °The Lord could punish them as swiftly as He did Winthrop ¡Ã‚ ¯s most profane fellow. Thus when storms or other threats to the passengers ¡Ã‚ ¯ well-being occurred, the emigrants concluded that they had done something wrong and that the Lord was showing His displeasure. ¡ (Pg 8 ...

Speakers' Primary Motives Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Speakers' Primary Motives - Coursework Example As a sitcom episode, "Lucy and the Loving Cup," I Love Lucy can effectually be analyzed from Burke’s perception of dramatism. "Lucy and the Loving Cup," I Love Lucy is a favorite episode that utterly and significantly conveys the pentad as put forward by Burke. An analysis of this episode will outspokenly enable the comprehension of human philosophy and the motive behind a speaker’s acts and actions. Lucille Ball’s eyeballs were made into the decorative design on the cup so that she could somehow see and get a clear perception of the comedy that was unveiling around her. All the actions that Lucille Ball engages in are ostensibly motivated by the acrimony of characters around her. Her actions are also motivated by the symbols in and around her but language remain her paramount symbol. Her atrocious claustrophobia does not impede her from finding a way of wearing the loving cup. Outstandingly, most of the actions of the characters are motivated by the sheer fact that they want to hide their guilt while at the same time make the comedy continue and even make it more attention grabbing. Ricky’s disapproves Lucy’s new hat as a way of walloping or eluding the guilt that people could associate with the hat. As an escape strategy, Ricky’s makes fun of the hat as a way of dismissing and hiding her compassionate. Unquestionably, Ricky’s actions are inspired by guilt redemption and apparently reflect the ambiguity of substance that is predominant in the jesting. For instance, when Ricky discovers a cache of silverware and large amount of cash in a purse that was portentously owned by Lucy, she jumps onto the inordinate conclusion that Lucy was a kleptomaniac oblivious of the fact that Lucy was accumulating the items for a club bazaar. This was a tranquil and quick way of misapprehending Lucy and shifting the blame. Additionally, when Ricky tells Ethel, â€Å"Oh, now, Ethel, I know that Fred is a