Summary This section starts with an essay describing the appearance and use of the second-floor arch of a London house where, among other things, the undertaker’s men rest the coffin of a deceased person in the household. The subject of this essay leads to Thackeray’s revelation that old Mr. Sedley […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 61-63Summary and Analysis Chapters 57-60
Summary Old Osborne likes to think of Sedley’s being forced to accept charity from him. He hints to Georgy that his mother’s father is a wretched old bankrupt, whereupon Georgy patronizes the old man. Amelia’s nature is to sacrifice herself and to think herself guilty of selfish love, thereby accounting […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 57-60Summary and Analysis Chapters 54-56
Summary When Rawdon goes to see his older brother, Pitt thinks him drunk, then believes Rawdon wants money and offers many excuses. When Rawdon says he does not want money, Pitt sighs with relief. Rawdon tells all that has happened and says he may be killed in a duel with […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 54-56Summary and Analysis Chapters 51-53
Summary Thackeray begins this installment with a discourse on how all the doors of fashion now open for Becky and how vain it all is. He lists the important people and places she visits. Becky continues to charm people; the women try to snub Becky but she bests them. Vanity […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 51-53Summary and Analysis Chapters 47-50
Summary This installment opens with a description of Great Gaunt Street from the viewpoint of Tom Eaves. Tom thinks that in rich families the sons and fathers naturally hate each other. The son wishes the father would die so he may inherit; the younger sons wish the older son dead […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 47-50Summary and Analysis Chapters 43-46
Summary The reader now goes to the Madras division in the Indian Empire, where Sir Michael O’Dowd commands Dobbin’s regiment. Mrs. O’Dowd, kind, impetuous, and eager, tyrannizes her husband, bosses the ladies of the regiment, and mothers the young men. She decides Glorvina should marry Dobbin, who, of course, dreams […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 43-46Summary and Analysis Chapters 39-42
Summary The story goes back to the relatives who hoped to benefit by Miss Crawley’s death. Bute has been mourning because he has received five thousand pounds instead of the expected thirty thousand. Mrs. Bute has redoubled her efforts to make good marriages for her daughters. There is a flashback […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 39-42Summary and Analysis Chapters 36-38
Summary Thackeray starts this section with an essay on how people live on nothing. He then talks about Rawdon and Rebecca, who are settled in Mayfair, entertain all the time, yet have no money, except what Rawdon makes by gambling. The story reverts to the time in Paris when Rawdon […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 36-38Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-35
Summary Back in England Miss Crawley hears about Rawdon and thinks what a good marriage for money he could have made. Rawdon, through Rebecca, sends his aunt gifts from the battlefield and anecdotes — both the product of Becky’s imagination. At Queen’s Crawley, Miss Horrocks, the butler’s daughter, accompanies Sir […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-35Summary and Analysis Chapters 30-32
Summary This section opens with the O’Dowds discussing the forthcoming battle and making preparations for the major’s march. After his departure Mrs. O’Dowd reads a book of sermons. Rawdon, more affected than Becky at their parting, shows his love and worship for her by his concern for her welfare. “She […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 30-32