# LXII: Am Rhein explained — Vanity Fair

> Chapter companion for Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

## What happens

Amelia, Georgy, and Major Dobbin enjoy a summer tour on the Continent, visiting the ducal town of Pumpernickel, where the narrator first meets them. Meanwhile, a steamboat from London carries a diverse group of English travelers, including Jos Sedley and his party, to the same region.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

The steamboat scene contrasts the grand carriages of aristocrats like Lord Bareacres with the poor fore-cabin passengers, highlighting class divisions and the social ambitions of travelers.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Major Dobbin's outward awkwardness (long legs, yellow face, lisp) belies his inner worth, while Amelia's initial misjudgment of him reflects the theme of surface versus substance.

### Wealth and Poverty

The Hebrew gentlemen's knowledge of Lord Bareacres' debts and the contrast between the luxurious carriages and the cramped fore-cabin illustrate the precarious nature of wealth.

## Character check-ins

### Amelia Sedley

Traveling with Georgy and Major Dobbin; described as cheerful and happy during this period, sketching ruins while Dobbin smokes.

### William Dobbin

Accompanies Amelia and Georgy on their tour; noted for his honest, pure heart and warm humility, despite his awkward appearance.

### Georgy Osborne

Present on the tour, often ahead climbing towers or trees while the adults walk below.

### Joseph Sedley

Travels on the steamboat with his carriage and courier Kirsch; later climbs to bed at the inn, expressing approval of the town.

### Kirsch

Jos Sedley's courier, seen on the steamboat and later lighting Jos's way with a flambeau.

### Lord Bareacres

Travels with his family on the steamboat, sitting apart and speaking to no one; his finances are speculated upon by the Hebrew gentlemen.

### Lady Bareacres

Part of the Bareacres family on the steamboat, sitting near the wheel.

## Key lines

> It is one's nature to sing and the other's to hoot... and with such a sweet voice as you have yourself, you must belong to the Bulbul faction.

Dobbin tells Amelia that just as owls hoot and nightingales sing, people have different natures, and her sweet voice places her among the nightingales.

_Dobbin uses an Eastern fable to compliment Amelia's gentle disposition._

> Which of us can point out many such in his circle—men whose aims are generous, whose truth is constant... whose want of meanness makes them simple?

The narrator asks how many truly generous and honest men one can find in their own acquaintance, suggesting such gentlemen are rare.

_The narrator reflects on the rarity of true gentlemen, using Dobbin as an example._

> It was a wonder how my Lord got the ready money to pay for the expenses of the journey. The Hebrew gentlemen knew how he got it.

It was surprising that Lord Bareacres could afford the trip, but the Jewish moneylenders were aware of his debts and loans.

_Highlights the financial strain behind aristocratic appearances._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lxii-am-rhein
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters