Teaching Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

1. What does Madame Duval's letter reveal about how she sees her own role in her family's tragedy?

2. Why does Lady Howard immediately distrust Madame Duval's motives, even though offering to take Evelina to Paris seems generous?

3. Where have you seen people rewrite their own history to avoid taking responsibility - perhaps an absent parent, unreliable friend, or neglectful boss who suddenly wants back in?

4. If you were advising Reverend Villars, what questions would you tell him to ask Madame Duval before considering her offer?

5. What does this chapter suggest about the difference between people who genuinely care about your wellbeing versus those who see you as serving their needs?

6. What specific events from the past make Mr. Villars so reluctant to send Evelina to her grandmother?

7. How did Mr. Villars' experience watching Caroline's destruction shape his approach to protecting Evelina?

8. Where do you see this pattern of protective paralysis in your own life or community—someone so afraid of past hurt repeating that they prevent all growth?

9. If you were advising Mr. Villars, how would you help him balance protecting Evelina with allowing her to develop independence?

10. What does this chapter reveal about how trauma can be passed down through generations, even when people have the best intentions?

11. What specific strategies does Lady Howard use to convince Mr. Villars to let Evelina go to London?

12. Why does Lady Howard argue that 'sheltering young people too much can backfire'? What does she mean by this?

13. Where have you seen someone use Lady Howard's approach - acknowledging concerns while building a case for opportunity?

14. If you needed to advocate for someone's opportunity with a protective authority figure, how would you adapt Lady Howard's strategy?

15. What does this chapter reveal about how influential people create opportunities for those they care about?

16. What specific reasons does Mr. Villars give for not wanting Evelina to go to London, and what does he fear will happen to her there?

17. How has Mr. Villars' method of protecting Evelina actually created the very vulnerability he's trying to prevent?

18. Where do you see this pattern of 'protective control' in modern relationships - parents, managers, healthcare workers, or partners who limit others' choices 'for their own good'?

19. If you were advising someone trapped by an overprotective person who genuinely loves them, what specific steps would you suggest for breaking free without destroying the relationship?

20. What's the difference between genuine protection that builds strength and fearful protection that creates dependency? How can you tell which one you're giving or receiving?