An exploration into the vanities of Thackeray's characters. This article provides a look at humorous historical qualities of the novel as well as British life.
Students beware! Do not turn to Hollywood for an abbreviated version of the complex novel, Vanity Fair. It is far too extensive for a two hour movie (although the most recent film version was quite good).
The novel begins with two girls leaving Miss Pinkerton’s school: Amelia Sedley and Rebecca “Becky” Sharp. What follows is a colorful and at times a sadly humorous chronicle of these women’s lives.
Thackeray's Characters
Amelia Sedley is plain, but pure and most importantly, of a wealthy family. Becky Sharp, on the other hand is intelligent and witty, but the daughter of a French dancer and an English painter. Thackeray builds his satirical story around these women and illustrates the challenges faced by both in their respective situations, while poking fun at the vanity which is in us all.
From the start, the reader finds out what kind of person Becky really is. She sets her mind to wooing Joseph Sedley, Amelia’s older brother on the carriage ride from Miss Pinkerton’s to the Sedley home. For, in truth, what else could a woman hope for at this time than a husband? In addition, the veiled hatred for those who have victimized her comes out in this ride when she proclaims that if Miss Pinkerton were drowning in the Thames she would not venture to rescue her.
Likewise, she shouts (which is quite unladylike, by the way) “Vive la France! Vive l’Empereur! Vive Bonaparte!”(Thackeray 16). This is hardly English of her and all done in the presence of dear innocent little Amelia who encourages her to keep quiet. It is here that the reader sees the contrasted vanity of the two women: Amelia’s concerning what is proper to the outside world; Becky’s what is fitting for herself.
Vanity is Everywhere
Thackeray reminds the reader that there is vanity everywhere and that there are in fact various meanings to the word. George Osborne is an arrogant and self-righteous son of a merchant who vainly attempts to woo Becky, now Mrs. Rawdon Crawley, while he is married to Amelia, who vainly clings to his love in life and death.
Rawdon vainly continues his habits of gambling, even when they lead him to disaster. And then of course there is Becky’s constant attempt to climb the social ladder and to appear better than she is despite her circumstances.
Historical Aspects
Additionally, many events in the novel are intriguing to the student of history. The naming of male children of the Crawley family after popular figures in British history is particularly hilarious and obvious to anyone who has studied British history. With Christian names such as Pitt, Walpole, John Churchill, Bute and Rawdon, the Crawleys vainly attempt to legitimize themselves by naming their children after prominent political figures.
Also, the mass exodus of whole families to Belgium when the British engaged Napoleon and the prominence of Indian culture mingled with that of the British give the reader glimpses into what life may have been like for individuals of the Crawleys’ and Sedleys’ station.
The depth of the characters is immense and Becky, in particular, is nearly a prophetess of the feminist movement which would emerge only a few decades after the book was published. At the time, she was certainly a scandalous figure, but to today’s audiences, she is an intriguing and complex woman who lived for herself, for better or worse and whether she should have or not. But, in the dog-eat-dog world of Victorian England, a girl had to do what a girl had to do.
Thackeray, William Makepeace. Vanity Fair. New York: Penguin Books, 2004.
