Evelina by Frances Burney 
ortant thing to these city dwellers, and in their opinion, that cannot be found in the country.
City life is also viewed differently by those who live in the city and those who live in the country. Just like country people, residents of the city are partial to their own environment. From a city dweller’s point of view, London life is the best because it is exciting and active. While they are in London, the members of Evelina’s party attend the opera, the theater, a ball, or some other public place nearly every night, taking their tea in a “box” where they can be seen and admired publicly instead of drinking it privately in their homes (48). There is always something interesting to do or see, which makes life in the city more stimulating according to those who live there. However, just as city residents view the country as boring and simple, country dwellers tend to see London as a city of sin and evil. In Evelina, the Reverend Mr. Villars is the most outspoken against city living. He tells Evelina that he “ever dreaded [her] being too much pleased with a life of dissipation,” implying that he believes that a dissipated life is the only sort that exists in the city (97). He recommends to Lady Howard that Evelina be allowed to return to her life in the
countryside because “this young creature’s chance of happiness seems less doubtful in retirement, than it would be in the . . . dissipated world” (106). As a country dweller, Mr. Villars’ perception of the city is limited to its worst qualities, and as a result he sees the city as a dangerous, awful place.
Throughout Frances Burney’s novel Evelina, the author presents views of the city and the countryside held by residents of both places. The city, with all its operas and private balls, contains all the sin and evil that Mr. Villars expects of it, but it offers entertainment and opportunity that cannot be found elsewhere. Similarly, the country’s simplicity and honor are sometimes accompanied by
City life is also viewed differently by those who live in the city and those who live in the country. Just like country people, residents of the city are partial to their own environment. From a city dweller’s point of view, London life is the best because it is exciting and active. While they are in London, the members of Evelina’s party attend the opera, the theater, a ball, or some other public place nearly every night, taking their tea in a “box” where they can be seen and admired publicly instead of drinking it privately in their homes (48). There is always something interesting to do or see, which makes life in the city more stimulating according to those who live there. However, just as city residents view the country as boring and simple, country dwellers tend to see London as a city of sin and evil. In Evelina, the Reverend Mr. Villars is the most outspoken against city living. He tells Evelina that he “ever dreaded [her] being too much pleased with a life of dissipation,” implying that he believes that a dissipated life is the only sort that exists in the city (97). He recommends to Lady Howard that Evelina be allowed to return to her life in the
countryside because “this young creature’s chance of happiness seems less doubtful in retirement, than it would be in the . . . dissipated world” (106). As a country dweller, Mr. Villars’ perception of the city is limited to its worst qualities, and as a result he sees the city as a dangerous, awful place.
Throughout Frances Burney’s novel Evelina, the author presents views of the city and the countryside held by residents of both places. The city, with all its operas and private balls, contains all the sin and evil that Mr. Villars expects of it, but it offers entertainment and opportunity that cannot be found elsewhere. Similarly, the country’s simplicity and honor are sometimes accompanied by