Vanity Fair

By William Makepeace Thackeray

“Vanity Fair” by William Makepeace Thackeray is a classic novel that tells the story of two young women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, as they navigate the societal norms and expectations of 19th-century England. Thackeray employs various literary devices such as satire, irony, and symbolism to critique the vanity and hypocrisy of the upper classes and to create a rich and engaging story full of wit and humor. Join Becky and Amelia on their journey through the social hierarchy of the time, and discover the triumphs and tragedies that await them in Vanity Fair.

Themes 📚

1. Social Mobility: The novel explores the theme of social mobility, as characters move up or down the social ladder based on their wealth, connections, and behavior. This theme highlights the fluidity of social status in 19th-century England and the challenges that individuals face in navigating this system.
2. Love and Marriage: The theme of love and marriage is central to the novel, as characters pursue and are pursued by romantic partners of different social classes. This theme explores the tension between love and societal expectations, and the ways in which marriage can both advance or hinder an individual’s social status.
3. Wealth and Materialism: The novel critiques the obsession with wealth and materialism in 19th-century England, highlighting the vanity and superficiality of those who place value solely on material possessions.
4. Hypocrisy and Satire: William Makepeace Thackeray employs satire and irony throughout the novel to critique the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper classes, and to expose the double standards and moral failings of the society depicted in the novel.
5. Gender Roles and Expectations: The novel explores the theme of gender roles and expectations, particularly in relation to women. Thackeray critiques the limited opportunities and expectations placed on women in 19th-century England, and the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles.
6. Friendship and Loyalty: The relationships between characters in the novel, particularly the friendship between Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp, illustrate the importance of friendship and loyalty in a society that values wealth and status above all else.
7. Human Flaws and Weaknesses: The characters in Vanity Fair are flawed and imperfect, highlighting the human weaknesses and failings that are present in all individuals. This theme emphasizes the complexity of human nature and the ways in which individuals are shaped by their social context.
8. Classism and Social Prejudice: The novel critiques the classism and social prejudice that were prevalent in 19th-century England, and the ways in which these attitudes perpetuated inequality and discrimination.
9. Self-Discovery and Identity: The journey of the novel’s characters, particularly Becky Sharp, illustrates the theme of self-discovery and the search for identity. This theme emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and authenticity in a society that values conformity and social status.
10. The Power of Ambition: The novel explores the theme of ambition and the ways in which it can both propel individuals to success and lead them to moral compromise. This theme highlights the complex relationship between personal ambition and societal expectations, and the tension between individual success and moral integrity.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Satire: The author employs satire to criticize the societal norms and hypocrisy of 19th-century England, using humor and irony to expose the follies and shortcomings of the upper classes.
2. Irony: The use of irony in the novel emphasizes the contrast between appearance and reality, highlighting the discrepancies between what characters say and what they actually do.
3. Symbolism: The author uses symbols throughout the novel to represent deeper themes and ideas, such as the green silk ribbon that represents Amelia Sedley’s innocence and purity.
4. Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is used to create suspense and anticipation in the novel, such as the hints of impending tragedy in the lead-up to the Battle of Waterloo.
5. Allusion: Allusions to literary works such as Shakespeare’s plays and Milton’s Paradise Lost add depth and complexity to the novel, providing a broader context for the themes and ideas explored.
6. Mood: The mood of the novel shifts dramatically between light-hearted comedy and tragic drama, reflecting the ups and downs of the characters’ lives and the complexities of human experience.
7. Point of View: The novel employs a third-person omniscient point of view, allowing the author to provide insights into the thoughts and motivations of multiple characters.
8. Imagery: The use of vivid imagery throughout the novel brings the setting and characters to life, providing a rich and engaging reading experience.
9. Repetition: Repetition is used to emphasize key themes and ideas, such as the repetition of the phrase “Vanity Fair” throughout the novel to highlight the emptiness and superficiality of the society depicted.
10. Characterization: The author uses nuanced and complex characterization to create fully realized and relatable characters, emphasizing the human flaws and weaknesses that drive their actions and decisions.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Becky’s cunning nature	Early on, Becky’s cunning and manipulative nature foreshadows her various schemes and machinations throughout the story.
Amelia’s gentle disposition	Amelia’s innocence and naivety in the beginning of the novel foreshadow her vulnerability and susceptibility to manipulation.
Waterloo battle	The looming threat of war and the eventual Battle of Waterloo foreshadow the significant impact it will have on the characters’ lives.

2. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
Vanity Fair	The title of the novel and the metaphorical fair itself symbolize the superficiality, materialism, and moral corruption of society.
Becky’s ambition	Becky’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status represents the darker side of social climbing and ambition.
The Battle of Waterloo	The battle symbolizes the turning point in the characters’ lives and the consequences of their actions.

3. Irony

Example	Explanation
The novel’s title	The title “Vanity Fair” is ironic, as it highlights the emptiness and triviality of the society it depicts.
Becky’s success	Despite her morally dubious actions, Becky achieves a certain level of success and social status, illustrating the ironic nature of societal values.
Amelia’s attachment to George	Amelia’s unwavering devotion to George is ironic, given his infidelity and lack of genuine affection for her.

4. Allusion

Example	Explanation
Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”	The novel’s title is an allusion to John Bunyan’s allegorical work, where “Vanity Fair” is a location representing worldly vices and materialism.
Historical events	The novel alludes to real historical events, such as the Battle of Waterloo, to provide context and authenticity.
Literary and cultural references	The novel contains numerous references to other works of literature and elements of popular culture from the time period.

5. Imagery

Example	Explanation
Social gatherings	Thackeray’s descriptions of balls, dinners, and other social events create a vivid image of 19th-century high society.
Fashion and clothing	The detailed portrayal of characters’ attire highlights the importance of appearances and status in the novel.
The chaos of Waterloo	The imagery of the battlefield and its aftermath conveys the brutality and devastation of war.

6. Juxtaposition

Example	Explanation
Amelia and Becky	The two main characters are juxtaposed to emphasize their contrasting personalities and moral values.
Wealth and poverty	The novel juxtaposes the lives of the wealthy with those of the poor, highlighting the vast disparities and social injustices.
Appearances and reality	Thackeray contrasts the superficial appearances of society with the darker, hidden realities of the characters’ lives.

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