Evelina, Or, The History Of A Young Lady's Entrance Into The World

by Fanny Burney

Overview

Fanny Burney is an English author of novels and plays. Her book "Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World" is one of her works. The narrative follows Evelina, the main heroine, as she negotiates the difficulties and social complexity of affluent society in 18th-century England. The work, which is written in the style of Evelina's journal, gives a thorough and personal description of her experiences when she first joins society. A young woman named Evelina, who is unrecognized and orphaned, is brought to London's aristocratic society. She comes across a variety of personalities, each of whom represents distinct socioeconomic strata and moral perspectives. Burney examines topics like love, courting, class, etiquette, and the place of women in society via Evelina's interactions. "Evelina" by Fanny Burney had a big impact on manners books and coming-of-age stories that came after it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789358592139
Publisher:	Double 9 Books
Publication date:	07/01/2023
Pages:	430
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.96(d)

About the Author

Frances Burney (1752-1840), better known as Fanny Burney, was an English dramatist and writer. She contributed significantly to the growth of the book as a genre and was one of the most well-known female authors of her day. Burney was born into a low-income household in King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. Charles Burney, her father, was a well-known expert in music history. Burney released "Evelina," her first book, under an assumed name in 1778, to tremendous public and critical acclaim. Burney published many additional books after "Evelina," including "Cecilia" (1782) and "Camilla" (1796). Strong female heroes who struggled with moral decisions and cultural expectations were a common theme in Burney's books. Burney created plays, diaries, and letters in addition to novels. Burney struggled with both emotional and financial issues throughout her life, despite her literary achievement. She had a son via her marriage to General Alexandre D'Arblay, a French immigrant. The death of her spouse, as well as other hardships with money and health, characterized Burney's latter years. The contributions Fanny Burney made to English literature and her status as a pioneering female author have been acknowledged and honored.

Read an Excerpt

LETTER XVI EVELINA TO THE REV. MR. VILLARS Queen Ann Street, Thursday morning, April 14. BEFORE our dinner was over yesterday Madame Duval came to tea; though it will lessen your surprise, to hear that it was near five o'clock, for we never dine till the dav is almost over. She was asked into another room while the table was cleared, and then was invited to partake of the dessert. She was attended by a French gentleman, whom she introduced'/ by the name of Monsieur Du Bois: Mrs. Mirvan received them/ both with her usual politeness; but the Captain looked very much/ displeased; and after a short silence, very sternly said to Madame) Duval, " Pray who asked you to bring that there spark with you?" "O," cried she, "I never go no where without him." Another short silence ensued, which was terminated by the Captain 's turning roughly to the foreigner, and saying, " Do you know, Monseer, that you are the first Frenchman I ever let come into my house?" Monsieur Du Bois made a profound bow. He speaks no Eng- ' lish, and understands it so imperfectly, that he might possibly imagine he had received a compliment. Mrs. Mirvan endeavoured to divert the Captain's ill-humour, by starting new subjects: but he left to her all the trouble of supporting them, and leant back in his chair in gloomy silence, except when any opportunity offered of uttering some sarcasm upon the French. Finding her efforts to render the evening agreeable were fruitless, Mrs. Mirvan proposed a party to Ranelagh. Madame Duval joyfully consented to it; and the Captain though he railed against the dissipation of the women, did not oppose it; and therefore Maria and I ran up stairs to dress ourselves. Before we wereready, word was brought us that Sir Clement Willoughby was in the drawing-room. He ...