Language Construction in Evelina

When closely scrutinizing the dedication section to the authors of the monthly and critical reviews, we found that the author of Evelina, Frances Burney, uses a satiric and sarcastic tone in her text. The surface manner is that of flattery yet the underlying manner is that of mockery of the critics. It does not take a critic to discover the two separate modes of writing yet it is in this hybrid construction that the author receives praise and differentiation. "The liberty which I take in addressing to You the trifling production of a few idle hours," (Burney 52). …