"Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray (1847): A Review

William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair (1847-1848) is a sprawling, satirical novel that offers a biting critique of early 19th-century British society. Known for its dark humor, vivid characters, and sharp social commentary, Vanity Fair stands as one of the great works of Victorian literature. Thackeray’s portrayal of ambition, vanity, and the pursuit of social status is both timeless and remarkably relevant today, as the novel delves into human nature’s obsession with wealth, power, and appearance.

Plot Summary

Vanity Fair is often referred to as "a novel without a hero," and this characterization is accurate in that the novel features a large cast of morally complex characters rather than a single central protagonist. At the heart of the narrative are two women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, whose lives and fates are contrasted throughout the novel.

Becky Sharp, the daughter of a penniless artist, is clever, ambitious, and utterly determined to rise above her humble origins. She uses her charm, wit, and cunning to manipulate those around her, navigating her way through a society that values wealth and appearance above all else. Amelia Sedley, in contrast, is kind-hearted, naive, and devoted to her family and friends, particularly to her fiancé, George Osborne. However, Amelia’s life is defined by a series of unfortunate events that test her loyalty, love, and moral character.

The novel follows Becky and Amelia as they move through the complex social landscape of 19th-century England. The plot weaves through love triangles, broken engagements, and the rise and fall of fortunes, particularly focusing on Becky’s unscrupulous quest for power, status, and wealth. While Becky rises by exploiting the weaknesses of others, Amelia’s life is marked by her unflinching idealism and her personal tragedies. The characters’ paths intersect, leading to betrayal, heartbreak, and the ultimate disillusionment of a society that values surface-level success over inner morality.

Themes and Analysis

1. The Corruption of Vanity and Ambition

A key theme of Vanity Fair is the destructive nature of vanity and the insatiable pursuit of social status. Becky Sharp’s character embodies these qualities as she manipulates her way through the upper echelons of society. Her relentless ambition to marry into wealth and gain social recognition makes her one of literature’s most memorable antiheroes. Becky’s actions, though often morally dubious, reflect the societal values of her time—values that placed emphasis on outward appearance, wealth, and social standing, often at the expense of integrity and decency.

The novel critiques this culture of vanity, showing how characters who pursue personal gain at the cost of others’ happiness, like Becky, ultimately lead lives of emptiness. While Becky achieves her material desires, she is also a deeply lonely character, constantly surrounded by people who either fear or despise her. Thackeray presents the idea that such relentless ambition and vanity, unchecked by a sense of moral responsibility, ultimately lead to a hollow and unsatisfying existence.

2. Social Class and Hypocrisy

Thackeray’s Vanity Fair is a sharp critique of the class system in Victorian England, particularly the ways in which people are judged based on outward appearances rather than moral character or personal virtue. The novel explores how characters like Becky Sharp use social conventions to manipulate others, gaining power and wealth through marriages of convenience and deceit. In contrast, characters like Amelia Sedley, who possess innate goodness and emotional depth, often find themselves at the mercy of societal expectations, which do not reward virtue but instead elevate those who appear the most polished or affluent.

Thackeray highlights the hypocrisy of the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie, showing how social mobility is often determined by superficial traits rather than actual merit. For example, George Osborne, Amelia’s fiancé, is portrayed as a shallow, self-centered character whose wealth and family connections enable him to enjoy a privileged position in society. Yet his moral failings are overlooked by society, simply because he conforms to its expectations of wealth and status.

3. The Role of Women in Society

Another key theme in Vanity Fair is the role of women in Victorian society. Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley represent two contrasting views of womanhood. Becky, despite her cunning and manipulation, is an intelligent and resourceful woman who uses her wit and charm to secure her place in society. She challenges the traditional passive role women were expected to play by actively seeking control over her destiny, albeit through morally questionable means.

In contrast, Amelia represents the idealized, passive woman, devoted to her family and driven by love and emotional attachment. Her character reflects the limitations placed on women during this period, as she finds herself trapped in a cycle of emotional sacrifice and disillusionment. Thackeray’s portrayal of these two women reflects the constraints and expectations placed on women in Victorian society—women who were either forced into passive, idealized roles or, like Becky, had to resort to manipulation to secure their place in a patriarchal world.

4. Satire and Social Critique

Thackeray’s writing is renowned for its satirical edge, and Vanity Fair is no exception. Through his witty and often biting commentary, Thackeray exposes the foibles and absurdities of the society he depicts. The novel mocks the superficial nature of social interactions, where people value appearances over substance and pursue hollow goals such as wealth and status. Thackeray’s satire extends to the military, the aristocracy, and even the nascent middle class, illustrating the hypocrisy and moral compromises that characterize each of these groups.

The novel’s title, Vanity Fair, references the fictional marketplace in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, where people are consumed by vanity, distractions, and shallow pursuits. Thackeray’s novel takes place in a world filled with characters who, like the inhabitants of Bunyan’s Vanity Fair, are blinded by their own desires and obsessed with outward appearances. Thackeray’s mockery of these societal norms is not just an entertainment device; it is a powerful social critique that challenges the values of the time.

Literary Style

Thackeray’s narrative style in Vanity Fair is characterized by its sharp wit, irony, and direct engagement with the reader. His use of third-person omniscient narration allows him to provide commentary on the actions and motivations of the characters, often with biting sarcasm and irony. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions and richly drawn characters, with Thackeray’s ability to create nuanced, morally ambiguous figures adding depth to the social critique.

The novel’s episodic structure and sprawling narrative can sometimes make the pacing uneven, but Thackeray’s ability to weave together the various plotlines with humor and social insight keeps the reader engaged. His use of humor, satire, and dark irony elevates Vanity Fair from a mere social commentary to a deeply engaging and reflective exploration of human nature.

Reception and Legacy

When Vanity Fair was first serialized, it was met with both acclaim and criticism. Some readers were taken aback by Thackeray’s unsparing portrayal of society, while others appreciated the novel’s sharp wit and social critique. The novel’s portrayal of Becky Sharp, a morally ambiguous and deeply complex character, has made her one of literature’s most memorable figures. The novel’s satirical style, its critique of social norms, and its exploration of human vanity and ambition continue to resonate with readers and critics alike.

In the years since its publication, Vanity Fair has been regarded as one of the greatest novels of the Victorian era. It has been adapted into numerous stage and film productions, and its themes of ambition, vanity, and social critique remain relevant today. Thackeray’s portrayal of human nature—particularly the pursuit of status and the emptiness of vanity—has a timeless quality that continues to resonate in contemporary society.

Conclusion

Vanity Fair is a masterful social satire that delves deep into the complexities of human ambition, vanity, and the pursuit of status. Through its morally ambiguous characters, particularly the iconic Becky Sharp, Thackeray paints a vivid picture of early 19th-century British society, exposing its hypocrisy, superficiality, and obsession with wealth and appearance. The novel’s sharp wit, rich characterizations, and astute social commentary make it a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers and offer valuable insights into the human condition.