Female Reputation

An important theme throughout this novel is that of a young woman's reputation and innocence needing to be protected. Young women who do not adhere to social expectations are in danger of encouraging unwanted attention which could lead to avarice and damage her reputation, inhibiting her ability to obtain a proper husband. Since ladies are expected to avoid depravity and cling to virtue, many of Rev. Villars' letters to Evelina strive to guide her to maintain her reputation, especially as the appearance of virtue is more important to the concept of reputation than being virtuous actually is.

Though possessing nothing but innocence and virtue, Evelina is constantly thrown into situations where she is uncertain of how to behave. She has never been part of fashionable society before.

Trying to adhere to her guardian's warnings, Evelina attempts to stave off inappropriate advances from impertinent young men...