# In Which We Meet an Old Acquaintance explained — Vanity Fair

> Chapter companion for Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

## What happens

The chapter describes the social life of the British contingent in the small German duchy of Pumpernickel, where Jos, Emmy, and Major Dobbin have settled. Emmy is presented at court, and the narrative details the petty rivalries between the English and French factions, the local entertainments, and the domestic routines of the characters.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Jos's delight at being associated with baronesses and dukes highlights the characters' preoccupation with social rank and advancement.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The grand descriptions of Pumpernickel's court and entertainments contrast with the faded, incomplete palace and the petty squabbles beneath the surface.

## Character check-ins

### Amelia Sedley

Presented at the Pumpernickel court, wears a pink crape dress with a diamond ornament, takes singing and French lessons, and is admired by the court.

### Joseph Sedley

Delighted by the social recognition, writes to his club about the service in Germany, and leads the Countess of Schlusselback in a Polonaise.

### William Dobbin

Acts as George's tutor, reads Caesar and mathematics with him, and walks a Polonaise with Emmy at the court ball.

### George Osborne

Receives lessons from Major Dobbin and a German master, and rides out.

## Key lines

> the politest ladies of the whole town instantly called upon Mrs. Osborne; and as not one of these, however poor they might be, was under the rank of a Baroness, Jos’s delight was beyond expression.

The most refined ladies in town, all of whom were at least baronesses, immediately visited Mrs. Osborne, and Jos was overjoyed.

_Illustrates Jos's social climbing and the importance of titles._

> Neither Tapeworm nor Macabau ever sent home a dispatch to his government without a most savage series of attacks upon his rival.

Both the English and French envoys always included vicious criticisms of each other in their official reports.

_Highlights the intense diplomatic rivalry in Pumpernickel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lxiii-in-which-we-meet-an-old-acquaintance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters