# Madame Duval — Evelina character guide

> Madame Duval in Evelina by Fanny Burney.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Duval, Madame, poor Madame Duval

**First appearance:** 0011-letter-viii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars

## Who they are

Evelina's coarse, hot-tempered French grandmother, who claims authority over her granddaughter's future while brawling openly with anyone who crosses her.

## Relationships

### [Sir Clement Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/sir_clement_willoughby)

_rivalry_

Madame Duval and Sir Clement Willoughby are locked in a contentious battle of wits and social maneuvering, with Willoughby often mocking or undermining her.

### [Captain Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/captain_mirvan)

_rivalry_

Captain Mirvan delights in tormenting and humiliating Madame Duval through crude pranks and verbal abuse.

### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/mr_smith)

_social_

Madame Duval and Mr. Smith are social acquaintances within the Branghton circle, united by vulgarity and social climbing.

### [Sir Clement Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/sir_clement_willoughby)

_rivalry_

Madame Duval and Sir Clement Willoughby are locked in a contentious battle of wits and social maneuvering, with Willoughby often mocking or undermining her.

### [Captain Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/captain_mirvan)

_rivalry_

Captain Mirvan delights in tormenting and humiliating Madame Duval through crude pranks and verbal abuse.

### [Sir Clement Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/sir_clement_willoughby)

_rivalry_

Madame Duval and Sir Clement Willoughby are locked in a contentious battle of wits and social maneuvering, with Willoughby often mocking or undermining her.

### [Captain Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/captain_mirvan)

_rivalry_

Captain Mirvan delights in tormenting and humiliating Madame Duval through crude pranks and verbal abuse.

### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/mr_smith)

_social_

Madame Duval and Mr. Smith are social acquaintances within the Branghton circle, united by vulgarity and social climbing.

### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/mr_smith)

_social_

Madame Duval and Mr. Smith are social acquaintances within the Branghton circle, united by vulgarity and social climbing.

## In the story

### [Letter I: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-i-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Subject of the letter; she writes abusively, seeking to shift blame and offering to take Evelina if proof is provided.

### [Letter II: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-ii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Evelina's grandmother, whose letter has caused perplexity; described as uneducated, unprincipled, and unamiable.

### [Letter IV: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-iv-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Mentioned as Evelina's grandmother; Mr. Villars fears she might accuse him of injustice if he allows Evelina to go to London without visiting her.

### [Letter XIV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xiv-evelina-in-continuation)

Revealed as Evelina's grandmother; a coarse, foreign-accented woman who quarrels with Captain Mirvan and insists on taking Evelina to France.

### [Letter XV: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xv-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Her arrival in England grieves and alarms Mr. Villars; he describes her as determined and blind to her own faults, and fears she will claim Evelina.

### [Letter XVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xvi-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Arrives with Monsieur Du Bois; engages in heated arguments with Captain Mirvan and Sir Clement; insists on French customs.

### [Letter XVII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xvii-evelina-in-continuation)

Madame Duval insists Evelina stay with her, questions her incessantly, and cruelly reveals Evelina's history to the Branghtons, showing ingratitude toward Mr. Villars.

### [Letter XVIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xviii-evelina-in-continuation)

Expected for dinner; Evelina dreads her visit but Mrs. Mirvan arranges the invitation.

### [Letter XIX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xix-evelina-in-continuation)

Visits with Monsieur Du Bois; argues with Captain Mirvan about the Ranelagh incident and is later pranked with smelling salts at the museum.

### [Letter XXI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxi-evelina-in-continuation)

Expected to be angry at Evelina's departure; Evelina fears her displeasure at dinner.

### [Letter XXII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxii-evelina-in-continuation)

Madame Duval is angry at Evelina for leaving her and at Sir Clement for ignoring her; she insists on keeping Evelina in London and eventually agrees to join the party to Howard Grove.

### [Letter XXV: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxv-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Argues with Captain Mirvan and insists Monsieur Du Bois ride in the coach.

### [Letter XXVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxvi-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Proposes a legal claim to Evelina's birthright and inheritance, instigated by the Branghtons; speaks bluntly and severely about Evelina's situation.

### [Letter XXVIII: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxviii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Mentioned as the instigator of the lawsuit plan; Mr. Villars criticizes her character and motives.

### [Letter XXX: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxx-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Quarrels with Captain Mirvan over the ongoing discussion about the letter to Paris.

### [Letter XXXII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Expresses displeasure at Sir Clement's arrival; is the target of Captain Mirvan's scheme.

### [Letter XXXIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxiii-evelina-in-continuation)

Madame Duval is terrified by the false news of Monsieur Du Bois's arrest and later suffers the indignity of being tied up in a ditch. She is determined to rescue Du Bois, but her efforts prove fruitless.

### [Letter XXXIV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxiv-evelina-in-continuation)

Madame Duval is distressed over her ruined clothes and cap, and remains unaware of the Captain's schemes, attributing M. Du Bois's silence to fear of interception.

### [Letter XXXVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxvi-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Furious at Sir John's response, she insists on taking Evelina to Paris to demand justice.

### [Letter XXXVII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxvii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Her scheme to bring Evelina to London is criticized by Mr. Villars as unreasonable.

### [Letter XXXVIII: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxviii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Visits Berry Hill to demand authority over Evelina, threatening to disinherit her if opposed.

### [Letter XXXIX: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxix-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Evelina is to accompany Madame Duval to London; Mr. Villars warns Evelina to be cautious of her associates.

### [Letter XL: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xl-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Complains about her country visit, reveals her intention to take Evelina to Paris, and seeks legal revenge against Captain Mirvan.

### [Letter XLI: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xli-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

Mentioned as the person with whom Evelina is currently residing, though details are deferred to a letter to Mrs. Mirvan.

### [Letter XLII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xlii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Accompanies Evelina to the Branghtons and engages in an argument about the French nation.

### [Letter XLIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xliii-evelina-in-continuation)

Forces Evelina to accept Mr. Smith's invitation; praises Mr. Smith as the prettiest young man she has seen in England.

### [Letter XLIV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xliv-evelina-in-continuation)

Present at the dinner, briefly interjects to ask about the lodger's behavior.

### [Letter XLV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xlv-evelina-in-continuation)

Sends Evelina to arrange an evening party; is displeased with the lack of satisfaction Evelina brings back.

### [Letter XLVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xlvi-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Organizes the Vauxhall outing; is enraged by Sir Clement's interference and later by his boldness.

### [Letter XLVII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xlvii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Confronts Sir Clement angrily, accusing him of past tricks; exults after his departure.

### [Letter XLVIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xlviii-evelina-in-continuation)

Decides to go to Marybone Gardens, but is caught in rain and later debates the plan.

### [Letter L: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-l-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Madame Duval insists that Evelina accompany her to the Hampstead assembly and pressures her to dance with Mr. Smith, but eventually relents after Evelina's refusal.

### [Letter LII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lii-evelina-in-continuation)

Part of the party at Marybone Gardens; joins Evelina after she is released from the two women.

### [Letter LIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-liii-evelina-in-continuation)

Madame Duval proposes a match between Evelina and young Branghton, insisting that Evelina should not refuse until she sees if she can do better.

### [Letter LIV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-liv-evelina-in-continuation)

Insists on using Lord Orville's carriage despite Evelina's protests, showing her domineering nature.

### [Letter LV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lv-evelina-in-continuation)

Orders Evelina to invite the Branghtons, erupts in rage at M. Du Bois's affection for Evelina, and threatens to abandon her unless she marries young Branghton.

### [Letter LVII: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lvii-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

Received Mr. Villars' letter and consented to Evelina's return; softened toward Evelina upon seeing her indifference to M. Du Bois.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/madame_duval
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters