Vanity Fair · Chapter
Vauxhall explained
The Russell Square party, including George Osborne, Amelia Sedley, Joseph Sedley, Rebecca Sharp, and William Dobbin, travels to Vauxhall Gardens.
What happens
The Russell Square party, including George Osborne, Amelia Sedley, Joseph Sedley, Rebecca Sharp, and William Dobbin, travels to Vauxhall Gardens. Everyone expects Jos to propose to Rebecca, but the evening ends in disaster after a heavy supper. The next day, Jos sends a letter excusing himself and fleeing to Cheltenham, effectively ending any prospect of marriage. Rebecca is forced to leave the Sedley household, accepting Amelia's gifts with feigned gratitude while secretly resenting George Osborne for thwarting her plans.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
Rebecca, an artist's daughter, seeks to marry into the wealthy Sedley family; the household debates whether Jos would 'demean himself' by such a match.
Marriage as Transaction
Jos's potential marriage to Rebecca is discussed in terms of fortune and social standing, with Amelia and Mrs. Sedley weighing the pros and cons.
Appearance vs. Reality
Rebecca's tearful farewell to Amelia is described as a performance, hiding her true resentment and ambition.
Characters to notice
- Joseph Sedley
Expected to propose to Rebecca at Vauxhall, but after a heavy supper he falls ill and flees to Cheltenham, sending a letter of apology and effectively ending the courtship.
- Becky Sharp
Hopes for a proposal from Jos at Vauxhall; after his flight, she is forced to leave the Sedley household, accepting Amelia's gifts while secretly resenting George Osborne.
- Amelia Sedley
Eager for Jos to marry Rebecca, she is heartbroken when the plan fails; she gives Rebecca many presents and cries privately.
- George Osborne
Accompanies Amelia to Vauxhall, buys Rebecca a hat and spenser as a parting gift, and is secretly resented by Rebecca for preventing her marriage.
- William Dobbin
Carries Amelia's shawl at Vauxhall, pays for the party, and watches over Amelia's happiness with fatherly pleasure.
- John Sedley
Neutral about Jos's marriage, he gives Rebecca a purse of guineas and offers to be her protector.
- Mrs. Sedley
Initially opposed to Jos marrying an artist's daughter, but gradually brought around by Amelia; later embarrassed and avoids Rebecca.
- Mrs. Blenkinsop
Housekeeper who gossips about the potential marriage and later warns Amelia against Rebecca, claiming she read Mrs. Sedley's letters.
Key passages
“Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?”
Small, seemingly insignificant moments can have a lasting impact on one's life story.
The narrator reflects on the importance of the Vauxhall outing despite its brevity.
“It was the death-warrant. All was over.”
Jos's letter ended all hope of marriage between him and Rebecca.
Amelia realizes that Jos's flight has destroyed Rebecca's prospects.
“She was thinking in her heart, 'It was George Osborne who prevented my marriage.' —And she loved George Osborne accordingly.”
Rebecca secretly blamed George Osborne for ruining her chance to marry Jos, and her 'love' for him was actually resentment.
Rebecca's true feelings toward George are revealed as bitter irony.
