Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero

Vanity Fair is a serialized novel by William Makepeace Thackeray, published from 1847-1848. The novel was subtitled Pen and Pencil Sketches of English Society, then changed to A Novel without a Hero in 1848. The novel’s characters generally lack positive qualities and are obsessed with social climbing and the acquisition of wealth. Vanity Fair has been adapted for film, television, and theatre.

This guide uses the 2001 Penguin Classics edition.

Content Warning: The source material and guide feature discussions of physical abuse, racism, and suicidal ideation.

Plot Summary

Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley are at Miss Pinkerton’s Academy for young women. Becky is smart, conniving, and from a poor background. Amelia comes from wealth and has an aura of innocence. Miss Pinkerton cannot tolerate Becky’s conduct and arranges for her to serve as a governess on the estate of the Crawley family. Before beginning her position, Becky spends a week at Amelia’s home, where she finds acceptance with Amelia’s family and tries to seduce Amelia’s brother, Jos, who is home from his job as a tax collector in India. Becky almost succeeds, but Amelia’s longstanding romantic interest, George Sedley, advises Jos against it. Jos quickly leaves, and Becky begrudgingly takes up her new post.