Throughout Evelina, the altruistic characters are the ones who are able to put themselves in the circumstances of other people. These characters successfully identify with other characters in the novel because sensible principles guide their actions. Many characters offer Evelina assistance, but only the characters who sympathize with Evelina help her confront further embarrassing situations she experiences. These altruistic characters in Evelina sympathize with other people and utilize empathy to recognize the significance that sensibility has in this society. Based on the communication between the Reverend Arthur Villars and Evelina, the Reverend Arthur Villars is an extremely selfless character because he exercises empathy when interacting
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McCartney. For example, while witnessing Mr. McCartney fall while walking up the stairs and revealing a pistol, Evelina writes to Reverend Villars saying she was, “inexpressibly shocked” because she believed he would commit suicide (183). Evelina’s surprise in the situation indicates her ability to sympathize with Mr. McCartney, but her sympathy for him does not frame her response in the situation. She further explains her sympathetic emotions when she is motionless and stiff because of her horror of his action. Evelina’s reaction to the situation is a visceral response of empathy, because she imagines herself in the same situation. While her empathy is a virtue, Evelina does not immediately help Mr. McCartney because she does not apply sensible principles in the situation. The inspiration to act in the situation finally appears when Evelina applies the Reverend Villars’ lessons on sensible principles to help assist Mr. McCartney in this dire situation. She does not stand in shock the whole time but instead attempts to save Mr. McCartney’s life. After she knows Mr. McCartney is safe, she collapses because her empathy for Mr. McCartney in this situation is immense. Evelina’s response to the complex emotions she feels for Mr. McCartney in this desperate situation illustrates the lessons she learned from Reverend Villars about sensibility and her responsibility to employ it as a member of society. Overall in this situation, Evelina not only expresses empathy and
McCartney. For example, while witnessing Mr. McCartney fall while walking up the stairs and revealing a pistol, Evelina writes to Reverend Villars saying she was, “inexpressibly shocked” because she believed he would commit suicide (183). Evelina’s surprise in the situation indicates her ability to sympathize with Mr. McCartney, but her sympathy for him does not frame her response in the situation. She further explains her sympathetic emotions when she is motionless and stiff because of her horror of his action. Evelina’s reaction to the situation is a visceral response of empathy, because she imagines herself in the same situation. While her empathy is a virtue, Evelina does not immediately help Mr. McCartney because she does not apply sensible principles in the situation. The inspiration to act in the situation finally appears when Evelina applies the Reverend Villars’ lessons on sensible principles to help assist Mr. McCartney in this dire situation. She does not stand in shock the whole time but instead attempts to save Mr. McCartney’s life. After she knows Mr. McCartney is safe, she collapses because her empathy for Mr. McCartney in this situation is immense. Evelina’s response to the complex emotions she feels for Mr. McCartney in this desperate situation illustrates the lessons she learned from Reverend Villars about sensibility and her responsibility to employ it as a member of society. Overall in this situation, Evelina not only expresses empathy and