# The Illusion of Honor in The Luck of Barry Lyndon

> Theme guide for The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray.

Barry frequently invokes duels and gentlemanly codes to assert his honor, yet these acts are shown to be hypocritical tools for eliminating rivals and covering up his unscrupulous behavior.

## Where it surfaces

- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/chapters/endnotes): The editor suggests Barry invents duels to assert his honor whenever his actions appear disreputable, undermining the very concept of honor he claims.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/themes/the_illusion_of_honor
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_luck_of_barry_lyndon_se/themes