# Mrs. Sedley — Vanity Fair character guide

> Mrs. Sedley in Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** honest Mrs. Sedley, good Mrs. Sedley, Mrs. Sedley

**First appearance:** 0002-ii-in-which-miss-sharp-and-miss-sedley-prepare-to-open-the-campaign

## Who they are

Amelia's doting mother, whose kind heart has already arranged a score of little schemes for her daughter's marriage and settlement.

## In the story

### [Rebecca Is in Presence of the Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/iii-rebecca-is-in-presence-of-the-enemy)

Kindly mother who has prepared a curry for Joseph and supports the family gathering.

### [The Green Silk Purse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/iv-the-green-silk-purse)

Initially charmed by Rebecca; later considers dismissing her after Mr. Sedley's warning but relents.

### [Dobbin of Ours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/v-dobbin-of-ours)

Good-naturedly recalls Dobbin's childhood accident with the punch-bowl and comments on the Dobbin sisters' lack of grace.

### [Vauxhall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/vi-vauxhall)

Initially opposed to Jos marrying an artist's daughter, but gradually brought around by Amelia; later embarrassed and avoids Rebecca.

### [Who Played on the Piano Captain Dobbin Bought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xviii-who-played-on-the-piano-captain-dobbin-bought)

Devoted to her family in their reduced circumstances; she welcomes Dobbin's visit and mistakenly believes the piano is a peace offering from George.

### [In Which Captain Dobbin Acts as the Messenger of Hymen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xx-in-which-captain-dobbin-acts-as-the-messenger-of-hymen)

Initially opposed to the match due to Mr. Osborne's ingratitude, but becomes excited at the idea of elopement after Dobbin's suggestion.

### [Between London and Chatham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxvi-between-london-and-chatham)

Welcomes Amelia with maternal affection, accompanies her shopping, and feels happy for the first time since their misfortunes.

### [A Family in a Very Small Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-family-in-a-very-small-way)

Quarrels bitterly with Amelia over administering Daffy's Elixir to Georgy, leading to a permanent coolness between them.

### [Struggles and Trials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlvi-struggles-and-trials)

Amelia's mother, who grows infirm and weeps over the family's difficulties, remaining silent about the mounting debts.

### [Contains a Vulgar Incident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/l-contains-a-vulgar-incident)

Amelia's mother, whose bitterness over poverty strains family relations.

### [Georgy Is Made a Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lvi-georgy-is-made-a-gentleman)

Now bedridden and querulous, cared for by Amelia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/mrs_sedley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters