Vanity Fair · Chapter
XIII: Sentimental and Otherwise explained
George Osborne's engagement to Amelia Sedley becomes known in his regiment after Dobbin's indiscreet revelation.
What happens
George Osborne's engagement to Amelia Sedley becomes known in his regiment after Dobbin's indiscreet revelation. George visits Amelia in London, and they discuss their future plans. At dinner with the Osbornes, old Mr. Osborne's hostility toward Amelia is palpable. After dinner, he confronts George about the engagement, revealing his disapproval.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
George's plans for a comfortable married life contrast with his father's concern for social standing and financial prudence.
Appearance vs. Reality
George's charming exterior and reputation as a 'Don Giovanni' hide his actual engagement to Amelia, while old Osborne's gruffness masks deeper anxieties about the match.
Vanity and Hypocrisy
George's vanity is evident in his enjoyment of his regiment's admiration and his attempts to manipulate his father for money.
Characters to notice
- George Osborne
Revealed as engaged to Amelia; enjoys high reputation in his regiment; visits Amelia and later dines with his family, where he attempts to cajole his father.
- Amelia Sedley
Anxiously awaits George's attention; dines at the Osbornes' and senses old Mr. Osborne's hostility.
- William Dobbin
Indiscreetly reveals George's engagement to Amelia in the mess-room, causing George's anger.
- Mr. Osborne
Shows open displeasure at Amelia's presence; confronts George about the engagement after dinner.
- Mrs. O'Dowd
Writes to her sister about George's engagement; hosts a party where she toasts George.
- Ensign Stubble
Speculates with Spooney about George's romantic intrigues.
- Ensign Spooney
Joins Stubble in conjecturing about George's female correspondent.
- Miss Osborne
Present at the dinner; communicates with her sisters via glances about their father's mood.
Key passages
“He was seen lighting his cigar with one, to the horror of Captain Dobbin, who, it is my belief, would have given a banknote for the document.”
George casually burned one of Amelia's letters, shocking Dobbin, who valued them greatly.
Highlights George's carelessness toward Amelia's affections and Dobbin's deeper sentiment.
“The story was over the regiment in half-an-hour; and that very evening Mrs. Major O'Dowd wrote off to her sister Glorvina at O'Dowdstown not to hurry from Dublin—young Osborne being prematurely engaged already.”
Within thirty minutes, the whole regiment knew of George's engagement, prompting Mrs. O'Dowd to write to her sister that George was taken.
Shows rapid gossip and Mrs. O'Dowd's matchmaking concerns.
“He didn't care for himself—not he; but his dear little girl should take the place in society to which, as his wife, she was entitled.”
George claimed he was not concerned for himself, but insisted that Amelia must have the social standing befitting his wife.
Reveals George's self-serving justification for his ambitions.
“Old Osborne's scowl, terrific always, had never before looked so deadly to her. His eyes followed her out of the room, as if she had been guilty of something.”
Amelia felt that Mr. Osborne's glare was more menacing than ever, as though he suspected her of wrongdoing.
Illustrates Amelia's anxiety and the oppressive atmosphere in the Osborne household.
