The plot appears complex because of the multitude of characters and because the stated motives are seldom the true ones. Moreover, the author digresses so often in essays on related subjects that the casual reader may lose the thread of the story. The story, however, is as modern as tomorrow […]
Read more Critical Essays Plot of Vanity FairWilliam Makepeace Thackeray Biography
William Makepeace Thackeray was born at Calcutta in 1811. His father, Richmond Thackeray, had been an Indian civil servant, as had William’s grandfather. His mother was nineteen at the date of his birth, was left a widow in 1816, and married Major Henry Carmichael Smyth in 1818. On his way […]
Read more William Makepeace Thackeray BiographyCharacter Analysis Other Characters
Old John Osborne George Osborne’s father is a tyrant who rules his household with terror, but he does not intimidate George, nor in turn little Georgy. Mr. Osborne’s idea of a hint that he doesn’t want a footman around any more is to kick the fellow downstairs. Old Osborne belongs […]
Read more Character Analysis Other CharactersCharacter Analysis Rawdon Crawley
Rawdon Crawley, younger son of Sir Pitt, has a commission in the Life Guards Green, bought for him by his indulgent aunt, Miss Crawley, when he has been asked to leave Cambridge. He stands six feet high, loves sports, gambling, and women. He detests his pious brother and his reprobate […]
Read more Character Analysis Rawdon CrawleyCharacter Analysis William Dobbin
Thackeray has called this book a novel without a hero. Actually the only gentleman in the book is William Dobbin, but as Thackeray takes pains to point out, his feet are too big for him to qualify in Vanity Fair. His name indicates a plodder—a workhorse—a dog, even; his devotion […]
Read more Character Analysis William DobbinCharacter Analysis Joseph Sedley
Amelia’s brother, a bachelor on service in India as the collector of Boggley Wollah, is twelve years older than she. Of him Amelia says, “he is very kind and good, but he scarcely ever speaks to me.” A “swell,” Joseph loves fine clothes and worships the nobility. He earns his […]
Read more Character Analysis Joseph SedleyCharacter Analysis George Osborne
George Sedley Osborne, John Sedley’s godson, has been close to the Sedley family all his life. He and Joseph have gone to school together. Old Osborne has commanded him to marry Amelia, and this plan has been understood for years. George Osborne belongs to Vanity Fair. As a boy he […]
Read more Character Analysis George OsborneCharacter Analysis Amelia Sedley
Exactly opposite from Rebecca, Amelia has many advantages. Miss Pinkerton describes her as industrious, obedient, sweet, and beloved. She has mastered these accomplishments: music, dancing, orthography, embroidery, and needlework. However, Miss Pinkerton suggests that she use a backboard for four hours each day for the next three years to improve […]
Read more Character Analysis Amelia SedleyCharacter Analysis Rebecca Sharp
Child of a poor artist and a French opera girl, Becky Sharp early learns to shift for herself. Her mother dead, Becky’s father with “a great propensity for running into debt, and a partiality for the tavern” brings her up. From her mother she has a knowledge of French from […]
Read more Character Analysis Rebecca SharpSummary and Analysis Chapters 64-67
Summary Becky’s life, after Rawdon leaves her, consists at first in trying to stay respectable, but just when she has built up a new circle of friends, someone informs about her and she is left alone. She tries at first to get Sir Pitt to listen to her, but Wenham, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 64-67