Vanity Fair · Character

Miss Briggs

Miss Crawley's gentle, tearful companion, still cherishing a lock of yellow hair from a writing-master twenty-four years dead.

supporting

Also known as poor Briggs, Briggs, honest Miss Briggs, the gentle Briggs

First appearance: Miss Crawley at Home

As a supporting figure in Vanity Fair, Miss Briggs is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Though not formally dismissed, her role as Miss Crawley's companion has become a sinecure, and she is largely ignored in favor of Becky.

In the storyMiss Crawley at HomeOpen this moment free

See Miss Briggs in Miss Crawley at Home Book page

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With Becky Sharp (psychological): Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and later abandons her without remorse. With Amelia Sedley (friendship): Amelia treats the kindly but simple Miss Briggs with genuine warmth and sympathy, unlike Becky's exploitation. With Amelia Sedley (friendship): Amelia treats the kindly but simple Miss Briggs with genuine warmth and sympathy, unlike Becky's exploitation.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Miss Briggs sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Miss Briggs in Miss Crawley at Home

Character Web

26 connections

A slice of how Miss Briggs sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Social climbers and soldiers
Minor characters and servants

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

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.

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Relationships

Becky Sharp
psychological · negative
Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and… How this plays out →
Amelia Sedley
friendship · positive
Amelia Sedley
friendship · positive
Becky Sharp
psychological · negative
Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and… How this plays out →
Amelia Sedley
friendship · positive
Becky Sharp
psychological · negative
Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and… How this plays out →

Becky Sharp
Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and later abandons her without remorse.
Amelia Sedley
Amelia treats the kindly but simple Miss Briggs with genuine warmth and sympathy, unlike Becky's exploitation.
Amelia Sedley
Amelia treats the kindly but simple Miss Briggs with genuine warmth and sympathy, unlike Becky's exploitation.
Becky Sharp
Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and later abandons her without remorse.
Amelia Sedley
Amelia treats the kindly but simple Miss Briggs with genuine warmth and sympathy, unlike Becky's exploitation.
Becky Sharp
Becky manipulates the gullible Miss Briggs, her companion, into serving her schemes and later abandons her without remorse.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Miss Briggs in Miss Crawley at Home

In the story

Miss Briggs appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Miss Crawley at Home
Though not formally dismissed, her role as Miss Crawley's companion has become a sinecure, and she is largely ignored in favor of Becky.
XV: In Which Rebecca's Husband Appears for a Short Time
Eavesdrops on Sir Pitt's proposal and reports it to Miss Crawley.
Chapter XVI: The Letter on the Pincushion
Receives Rebecca's letter and becomes the first confidante of the news.
Miss Crawley at Nurse
The companion, won over by Mrs. Bute's flattery and promises, becomes an ally in the household.
In Which All the Principal Personages Think Fit to Leave Brighton
Reconciles with Rebecca after Mrs. Bute's departure and shares information about Miss Crawley.
In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her
Miss Crawley's companion, she bears the brunt of her employer's sarcasm and is accused of being an accomplice to Becky.
XL: In Which Becky Is Recognized by the Family
After leaving Miss Crawley's service, she seeks employment and is taken in by Becky, eventually lending money to Rawdon.
XLIV: A Roundabout Chapter Between London and Hampshire
Assists with the renovation of Sir Pitt's house and is sent to sleep with the maid when Sir Pitt visits.
In Which the Reader Is Introduced to the Very Best of Company
Becky's companion; receives a new black silk gown and a kiss from Becky as a gift.
In Which Lord Steyne Shows Himself in a Most Amiable Light
Gratefully accepts the housekeeper position at Gauntly Hall; reveals to Lord Steyne the true state of her finances, unwittingly exposing Becky's deception.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Miss Briggs unlock in the free preview.

See Miss Briggs in Miss Crawley at Home