Evelina · Character

Mrs. Selwyn

A sharp-tongued, independent widow whose satirical wit strips the pretensions from everyone around her — and whose protection of Evelina is as bracing as it is genuine.

supporting

Also known as the sarcastic Mrs. Selwyn, Mrs. ¬ÝSelwyn

First appearance: letter l evelina to the rev mr villars

As a supporting figure in Evelina, Mrs. Selwyn is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Proposes to take Evelina to Bristol for her health, but Evelina declines.

In the storyLetter LIX: Evelina in ContinuationOpen this moment free

Mrs. Selwyn first appears in 0053 letter l evelina to the rev mr villars.

With Lord Orville (friendship): Lord Orville and Mrs. Selwyn share a respectful, witty friendship as intelligent social equals who often converse and ally in social settings. With Sir Clement Willoughby (rivalry): Mrs. Selwyn sees through Sir Clement Willoughby's charm and engages in sharp verbal sparring with him, acting as his antagonist. With Sir Clement Willoughby (rivalry): Mrs. Selwyn sees through Sir Clement Willoughby's charm and engages in sharp verbal sparring with him, acting as his antagonist.

See Mrs. Selwyn in Letter LIX: Evelina in Continuation Book page

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Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Selwyn sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Evelina's social circle
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak of Evelina's cr…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Lord Orville
friendship · positive
Lord Orville and Mrs. How this plays out →
Sir Clement Willoughby
rivalry · negative
Sir Clement Willoughby
rivalry · negative
Lord Orville
friendship · positive
Lord Orville and Mrs. How this plays out →
Sir Clement Willoughby
rivalry · negative
Lord Orville
friendship · positive
Lord Orville and Mrs. How this plays out →

Lord Orville
Lord Orville and Mrs. Selwyn share a respectful, witty friendship as intelligent social equals who often converse and ally in social settings.
Sir Clement Willoughby
Mrs. Selwyn sees through Sir Clement Willoughby's charm and engages in sharp verbal sparring with him, acting as his antagonist.
Sir Clement Willoughby
Mrs. Selwyn sees through Sir Clement Willoughby's charm and engages in sharp verbal sparring with him, acting as his antagonist.
Lord Orville
Lord Orville and Mrs. Selwyn share a respectful, witty friendship as intelligent social equals who often converse and ally in social settings.
Sir Clement Willoughby
Mrs. Selwyn sees through Sir Clement Willoughby's charm and engages in sharp verbal sparring with him, acting as his antagonist.
Lord Orville
Lord Orville and Mrs. Selwyn share a respectful, witty friendship as intelligent social equals who often converse and ally in social settings.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Selwyn in letter l evelina to the rev mr villars

In the story

Mrs. Selwyn appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Letter LIX: Evelina in Continuation
Proposes to take Evelina to Bristol for her health, but Evelina declines.
Letter LXI: Evelina in Continuation
Evelina's companion on the journey, described as clever but lacking feminine gentleness.
Letter LXII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars
Accompanies Evelina to the pump-room; uses her sharp wit to rebuke Lord Merton and Mr. Coverley.
Letter LXIII: Evelina in Continuation
Accompanies Evelina to Mrs. Beaumont's house; engages in witty banter with Lord Merton and Lord Orville.
Letter LXIV: Evelina in Continuation
Provides a satirical character sketch of Mrs. Beaumont and humorously suggests a classical recitation to settle the bet.
Letter LXV: Evelina in Continuation
Informs Evelina of Mr. Lovel's slanderous remarks and advises her to flatter him for social protection.
Letter LXVI: Evelina in Continuation
Mrs. Selwyn questions Evelina about her acquaintance with Mr. Macartney and expresses severe disapproval, calling the affair 'romantic' and suspecting Mr. Macartney of being an adventurer and impostor.
Letter LXVII: Mr. Villars to Evelina
Mentioned as the person Mr. Villars will write to regarding Evelina's return from Bristol.
Letter LXVIII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars
Defends Evelina with sarcastic remarks to Lord Merton and Mr. Coverley.
Letter LXIX: Evelina in Continuation
Mrs. Selwyn reveals her knowledge of Evelina's mother and advises Evelina to go to London.
Letter LXX: Evelina in Continuation
Organizes the walking party and later extracts the details of the affair from Evelina.
Letter LXXI: Evelina in Continuation
Insists Evelina remain at Clifton until a reply arrives, overpowering Evelina with her arguments.
Letter LXXII: Evelina in Continuation
Torments Evelina with arch raillery about Lord Orville's attentions, but accompanies her on a walk.
Letter LXXV: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars
Mrs. Selwyn overhears the conversation between Lord Orville and Sir Clement and reports it to Evelina, providing crucial information.
Letter LXXVI: Evelina in Continuation
Arranges the journey to London; interrupts Lord Orville and Evelina with sarcastic remarks.
Letter LXXVII: Evelina in Continuation
Interrupts Evelina's walk, teases her about her upcoming marriage, and proposes the visit to the Hot Wells to confront Sir John Belmont.
Letter LXXVIII: Evelina in Continuation
Arranges the meeting with Sir John Belmont, insists Evelina stay, and later investigates the possibility of a fraudulent daughter.
Letter LXXIX: Evelina in Continuation
Mrs. Selwyn delivers the news of the marriage plan with characteristic irony and argues for its expediency, citing the need to protect the false daughter's reputation and Sir John's affairs.
Letter LXXXII: Evelina in Continuation
Sarcastically comments on Mr. Lovel's encounter with the Captain.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Selwyn unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Selwyn in letter l evelina to the rev mr villars

See Mrs. Selwyn in Letter LIX: Evelina in Continuation