The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

The double standards affecting Evelyn’s career are the focus of Chapter 46 as she is punished for what Max and Don are rewarded for. Evelyn is the easiest to blame because she is a woman and because she, in representing unmitigated female desire, represents a critique of a culture that posits that only men can enjoy sex. It’s ironic that she was heralded as a “sexpot,” but the moment that she uses that image to advance sexual freedom for other women, she is considered a “tramp” (269). The chapter uses this to emphasize the constant uphill battle Evelyn faces as a woman in the entertainment industry, but also how revolutionary her work is despite the media’s reductive representation of her. The chapter, through Monique and Evelyn’s discussion of the nuances of Evelyn’s sexuality, presents the individualistic and complex facets of identity, reinforcing the novel’s overall goal to present identity as self-defined and ever-evolving.

John’s death in Chapter 47 is the vehicle for studying grief and companionship. Harry’s profound grief is even more bitter because he cannot be recognized as John’s partner and must be relatively contained, evinced by Evelyn’s anxiety about the public’s perception of their relationship. However, this also demonstrates Evelyn’s growth in that she keeps her fears to herself, understanding that Harry’s need to grieve the love of his life is more important than any rumors it might stir up. Furthermore, Evelyn’s support and caretaking of Harry underpin her role as his platonic life partner. She chooses Harry many times throughout her life, but one of her most important choices is when she refuses to speak with Celia at the funeral, knowing it would be taking advantage of Harry’s loss. In doing so, we witness Evelyn recognizing the needs of others are sometimes greater than her own.

Chapters 48 and 49 emphasize The Cost of Fame as Harry and Evelyn reach the height of their professional success amid their greatest personal losses. The way their work reinvigorates them both is emblematic of how much their passion means to them. Evelyn’s lifelong ambition of receiving critical recognition is finally achieved, and they have reached “the summit” (278) of their dreams, but the win is tainted by the absence of their partners. This absence is alluded to as Max confesses his love to Evelyn and she is not moved by her feelings for him, but the realization that she has not felt desire since Celia. This suggests that whatever feelings Evelyn develops for her director are an attempt to fill the void Celia left in her life.

David’s return and Monique’s rejection in Chapter 50 show the full extent of Evelyn’s influence. Before her relationship with Evelyn, Monique was “reeling,” hoping for David’s return. After Evelyn’s differentiation between heartbreak and defeat, Monique is empowered to realize that her sadness about the end of her marriage does not mean she wants to save it; rather, she can be sad because David is not the great love she wants. This is the greatest gift Evelyn gives Monique: She teaches her interviewer to demand what she wants but also to recognize that she deserves to find her “other half” (286).