Vanity Fair · Chapter
In Which Miss Sharp and Miss Sedley Prepare to Open the Campaign explained
Rebecca Sharp celebrates her departure from Miss Pinkerton's Academy by throwing a dictionary into the garden, expressing her hatred for the school and its headmistress.
What happens
Rebecca Sharp celebrates her departure from Miss Pinkerton's Academy by throwing a dictionary into the garden, expressing her hatred for the school and its headmistress. She confides in Amelia Sedley about her harsh treatment and her father's abusive past. As they travel to the Sedley home, Rebecca learns that Amelia's brother Joseph is unmarried and wealthy, and she resolves to try to marry him within her fortnight's visit.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological breaking point for Jos Sedley, whose cowardice…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Social Class and Ambition
Rebecca's ambition to marry Joseph Sedley highlights her desire to climb the social ladder.
- Appearance vs. Reality
Rebecca's outward charm and affection for Amelia conceal her calculating and vengeful nature.
Characters to notice
- Becky Sharp
Reveals her bitter, vengeful nature and her determination to improve her station through marriage.
- Amelia Sedley
Shown as kind and gentle, but naive about Rebecca's true motives.
- Joseph Sedley
Mentioned as Amelia's unmarried brother; becomes Rebecca's target for marriage.
- Miss Pinkerton
Headmistress of the academy; Rebecca expresses intense hatred for her.
- Miss Jemima Pinkerton
Witnesses Rebecca's defiant act of throwing the dictionary.
Key passages
“The world is a looking-glass, and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. Frown at it, and it will in turn look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly kind companion; and so let all young persons take their choice.”
The world reflects your own attitude: if you are hostile, it will be hostile to you; if you are cheerful, it will be pleasant.
Narrator's commentary on Rebecca's misanthropic worldview.
“If Mr. Joseph Sedley is rich and unmarried, why should I not marry him? I have only a fortnight, to be sure, but there is no harm in trying.”
Rebecca decides to pursue Joseph Sedley as a husband because he is wealthy and single, despite the short time she has.
Reveals Rebecca's pragmatic and ambitious approach to marriage.
