# The Green Silk Purse explained — Vanity Fair

> Chapter companion for Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

## What happens

Rebecca Sharp continues to charm the Sedley household, winning over Mrs. Sedley, the servants, and even Mr. Sedley with her gratitude and humility. Joseph Sedley, still recovering from his earlier panic, returns and is drawn into a flirtation with Rebecca. During a thunderstorm that cancels a planned Vauxhall outing, Rebecca engages Joseph in helping her wind a skein of green silk, a scene that suggests a growing romantic entanglement. Meanwhile, Mr. Sedley warns his wife of Rebecca's designs on Joseph, but Mrs. Sedley dismisses the idea. The chapter ends with Joseph resolving to propose at Vauxhall.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Rebecca, a poor governess, uses charm and manipulation to climb the social ladder, targeting Joseph Sedley as a means to secure wealth and status.

### Marriage as Transaction

The chapter highlights marriage as a strategic transaction, with Rebecca actively pursuing Joseph for financial security, and Mr. Sedley recognizing her motives.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Rebecca's outward humility and gratitude mask her calculated ambition, as she feigns emotion and innocence to manipulate those around her.

## Character check-ins

### Becky Sharp

Displays charm and manipulation, winning over the Sedley family and servants; feigns emotion over a drawing of her father; flirts with Joseph Sedley.

### Joseph Sedley

Returns after his panic; is drawn into a flirtation with Rebecca; resolves to propose at Vauxhall.

### Amelia Sedley

Supportive of Rebecca; has a headache that prevents a party; encourages the match between Rebecca and Joseph.

### Mrs. Sedley

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

### John Sedley

Warns his wife about Rebecca's designs on Joseph; dismisses Joseph's vanity.

### George Osborne

Dines with the family; appears during the thunderstorm and finds Rebecca and Joseph in a romantic pose.

## Key lines

> What! you who have shown the poor orphan what happiness and love are for the first time in her life—quit you ? Never!

Rebecca declares she would never abandon Amelia, who has introduced her to happiness and love for the first time.

_Rebecca uses emotional manipulation to endear herself to Amelia and Mrs. Sedley._

> She shall go off tomorrow, the little artful creature

Mrs. Sedley, after her husband's warning, angrily decides to send Rebecca away the next day.

_Mrs. Sedley's maternal jealousy surfaces, but she later relents._

> I am sure he will tonight, dear

Amelia expresses confidence that Joseph will propose to Rebecca that evening at Vauxhall.

_Amelia encourages the match, reflecting her romantic and naive nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/iv-the-green-silk-purse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters