Summary
Chapters 1-7 Overview
At the heart of Vanity Fair lies the intertwined lives of two young
women from contrasting backgrounds. Amelia Sedley, the sheltered daughter from
a prosperous family, and Becky Sharp, an audacious orphan with a lack of
wealth, depart from Miss Pinkerton's school, forging an unlikely friendship.
Amelia welcomes Becky into her family home before Becky transitions to a
governess role arranged by Miss Pinkerton.
A Match in the Making
Becky's encounter with Amelia's elder brother, Joseph "Jos" Sedley, a rotund, self-important man on leave from India, sets the stage for her cunning ambitions. Becky's charm and manipulation lead the Sedleys to believe she is genuinely infatuated with Jos, who is nearly convinced to propose. However, Amelia's fiancé, George Osborne, steps in, persuading Jos to reconsider, driven by his disdain for a governess as a sister-in-law. With George's intervention thwarting her plans, Becky leaves for the Crawley estate to assume her duties as a governess.
Chapters 8-14: Intrigue at Queen's Crawley
Upon her arrival at Queen's Crawley, Becky encounters the miserly Sir Pitt Crawley, the head of the household where she now works. Charged with educating his young daughters, Rosalind and Violet, Becky navigates the complex dynamics of the Crawley family. Among them are Sir Pitt's two sons from a previous marriage: the sanctimonious Pitt and the rakish Rawdon, who clash intensely.
Their uncle, the unscrupulous Reverend Bute Crawley, alongside his intrusive wife, adds to the household's tension. The Crawleys share a collective ambition: to inherit the wealth of their ailing Aunt Matilda.
Love and Loss
Meanwhile, George Osborne's treatment of Amelia deteriorates, prompting his loyal friend William Dobbin to admonish him. Dobbin, morally upright but socially awkward, harbors unspoken love for Amelia, deeming himself unworthy. George's father, suspecting financial decline in Amelia’s family, pressures him to dissolve the engagement, to which George is amenable.
In contrast, Becky endears herself to Aunt Matilda, moving in to care for her and catching Rawdon's attention. When Lady Crawley dies, Sir Pitt proposes to Becky, who weeps over her inability to accept due to her secret marriage to Rawdon, much to the fury of Sir Pitt and Aunt Matilda.
Chapters 15-22: Fortunes and Misfortunes
Becky and Rawdon enjoy a brief honeymoon before Mrs. Bute Crawley, determined to secure Aunt Matilda’s wealth, strategically moves in. Simultaneously, the Sedleys face public disgrace as Mr. Sedley’s poor investments lead to their financial ruin. Despite parental objections, George marries Amelia, and the couple, alongside others, travels to Brighton, preparing for the impending conflict in Belgium led by the Duke of Wellington against Napoleon's forces.
Chapters 23-35: Turmoil and Tragedy
In Belgium, Dobbin strives to reconcile George's father with his son's marriage, but Mr. Osborne disowns George, who unjustly blames Dobbin for his predicament. Mrs. Bute Crawley relinquishes her hold on Aunt Matilda due to her husband’s injury, allowing Becky and Rawdon to attempt reclaiming her favor, but Matilda sees through their ploys.
George's reckless flirtation with Becky leaves Amelia distressed and oblivious to its cause. As the Battle of Waterloo looms, Rawdon laments leaving Becky, while George finds relief in departing from Amelia. The battle culminates in George's death, leaving Amelia in mourning, while Becky, ever the opportunist, contemplates a future without Rawdon.
Chapters 36-42: New Beginnings, Old Habits
Back in England, scandal surrounds Sir Pitt's affair with the butler’s daughter, while the younger Pitt secures Lady Jane Sheepshanks’ affection, gaining Aunt Matilda’s favor. Amidst these familial shifts, both Becky and Amelia become mothers. Dobbin, ever supportive, aids Amelia financially, attributing the funds to George.
Despite financial struggles, Becky and Rawdon manage a semblance of...
(This entire section contains 965 words.)
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style, relying on Rawdon's gambling and Becky's ingenuity in avoiding debts, though at poor Mr. Raggles’ expense. The death of Aunt Matilda enriches young Sir Pitt, prompting Becky and Rawdon to curry favor with him. Meanwhile, Jos returns to India, leaving Amelia to navigate her new circumstances.
Chapters 43-50: Ambitions and Alliances
During Christmas at Queen's Crawley, Becky ingratiates herself with anyone of influence, particularly young Sir Pitt. The Sedleys decline further into poverty, and the Osbornes propose taking George's son, Georgy, offering financial support to Amelia in return. Reluctantly, she consents, prioritizing Georgy’s welfare over familial pride.
Becky's relationship with Lord Steyne reaches its pinnacle as he facilitates her court presentation, marking a triumph in her social ascent. Draped in jewels, gifts from Steyne unbeknownst to Rawdon, Becky revels in her newfound status.
Chapters 51-56: Collapse and Confrontation
Lord Steyne decides on a boarding school for little Rawdon, freeing Becky from maternal duties. Rawdon's arrest over unpaid debts leads to his discovering Becky’s secret stash of wealth and her companionship with Steyne. Furious, Rawdon confronts Steyne and plans a duel, abandoning Becky.
Becky's pleas to Sir Pitt for reconciliation yield no results, as diplomacy prevents the duel. Rawdon departs for Coventry Island, leaving his son under Sir Pitt and Lady Jane’s care.
Chapters 57-67: Epilogues and Resolutions
Upon returning from India, Dobbin confirms Amelia's single status and admits his enduring affection, though she remains fixated on George. Dobbin’s influence positively shapes young Georgy, while financial support from Jos arrives belatedly.
With Mr. Osborne's passing, Georgy inherits half of his wealth, and Amelia receives a portion. Traveling through Europe, they encounter Becky, who rekindles her interest in Jos despite Dobbin's warnings.
The revelation of George's pre-emptive offer to Becky stuns Amelia, prompting her to accept Dobbin's love, leading to their marriage. Becky's machinations continue with Jos, who ultimately dies under suspicious circumstances, while Rawdon succumbs to yellow fever.
Young Rawdon inherits Queen's Crawley, and Amelia finds happiness with Dobbin, raising their daughter in peace. Becky resides in Europe, financially secure and charitable, yet distanced from her son, maintaining a veneer of respectability to the world.
