# Before the Curtain explained — Vanity Fair

> Chapter companion for Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

## What happens

The author, as the manager of a performance, introduces Vanity Fair as a bustling, noisy, and morally ambiguous place filled with eating, drinking, love, cheating, and entertainment. He reflects on the melancholy beneath the surface merriment and presents the story as a puppet show, acknowledging the favorable reception of his characters—Becky Sharp, Amelia Sedley, William Dobbin, and the Wicked Nobleman—before the curtain rises.

## Themes in this chapter

### Vanity and Hypocrisy

The entire chapter frames the story as a Vanity Fair, a place of moral ambiguity where appearances and performances mask deeper melancholy and selfishness.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The author contrasts the noisy, seemingly merry fair with the melancholy behind the scenes, and describes the puppets as lively yet artificial constructs.

## Character check-ins

### Becky Sharp

Referred to as the famous little Becky Puppet, noted for being flexible in the joints and lively on the wire.

### Amelia Sedley

Mentioned as the Amelia Doll, carved and dressed with great care, though with a smaller circle of admirers.

### William Dobbin

Described as the Dobbin Figure, apparently clumsy but dancing in a very amusing and natural manner.

### Lord Steyne

Implied as the richly dressed figure of the Wicked Nobleman, on which no expense has been spared, and which Old Nick will fetch away.

## Key lines

> Yes, this is Vanity Fair ; not a moral place certainly; nor a merry one, though very noisy.

This is Vanity Fair, a place that is neither moral nor truly joyful, despite its loud and bustling atmosphere.

_The author sets the tone for the novel as a critique of society's superficial pleasures._

> The famous little Becky Puppet has been pronounced to be uncommonly flexible in the joints, and lively on the wire; the Amelia Doll, though it has had a smaller circle of admirers, has yet been carved and dressed with the greatest care by the artist; the Dobbin Figure, though apparently clumsy, yet dances in a very amusing and natural manner;

The author boasts that his puppet characters have been well-received: Becky is agile and spirited, Amelia is lovingly crafted, and Dobbin, though awkward, moves in an entertaining and lifelike way.

_The author introduces the main characters as puppets in his show, highlighting their distinct traits and the audience's reception._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/before-the-curtain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters