The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Harry’s death serves as the emotional climax in Chapter 56 and leads to the chapter’s consideration of the meaninglessness of material possessions and The Cost of Fame. Evelyn’s decision to no longer act first explores this theme; realizing that she’d “proved it all” (324) also makes Evelyn realize that acting was never fulfilling for her. This proves that, for Evelyn, the acclaim and money she’d given up everything for—most notably, Celia—is insignificant. The true cost of fame is reemphasized by Evelyn’s driver’s asking for acting tips; when she describes fame as the “false version of yourself” (326), the novel highlights the morally corrupting effects of fame and its dehumanizing cost.

Finally, the chapter shows Harry’s impact on Evelyn’s life after his death. He taught her, loved her, and was her family. The loss of him is a great trauma for Evelyn, proving that what really matters in life is the people in it. The chapter also indicates how far Evelyn is willing to go for those she loves when she rearranges the crash scene to protect Harry’s reputation; her fear that a drunk driving legacy will not only harm him but also Connor demonstrates how Evelyn is aware of the impact of perception. It is implicit that this is the worst thing Evelyn has ever done, the very act she warned Monique about before the interview.

Connor’s behavior in Chapter 57 displays the lasting effects of trauma and grief. Having lost her father and being forced to grieve publicly, Connor’s coping mechanisms are on par with the life of scandal and privilege she inherited from her mother. Evelyn’s recognition of this, and her ability to respond quickly and firmly for the sake of her daughter, shows her once again prioritizing her family over herself. She chooses the mental health of her daughter over her career. Most importantly, she gives her daughter the truth of who she is, showing unprecedented strength on Evelyn’s part. Chapter 58 foreshadows another coming reveal; though Monique believes that Evelyn’s awful past has been exposed by her actions at the crash site, Evelyn’s assurance that she is “past redemption” suggests that she has more crimes to uncover (339).

Chapter 59 offers the love story that Celia and Evelyn deserved the entire time as they enjoy a life of leisure side by side without being plagued by fear. The chapter also demonstrates the functionality of alternative family dynamics, similar to the family of five Evelyn had before her break up with Celia. In Spain, Connor finds a father figure in Robert. The marriage vow Evelyn and Celia take is the most authentic of Evelyn’s, emphasizing Celia’s role as her true life partner despite perception. Celia’s death in Chapter 60 only solidifies this message. The profound grief that follows from losing a partner is attempted to be conveyed here and is most successful in describing it as “the devastating luxury of panic” (351); Evelyn’s grief is a luxury in a way—a luxury to have loved and a luxury to have time to grieve. This relays a level of self-awareness from Evelyn even through her pain, conveying that it is sweeter to lose love than to have never felt it.