Miss Crawley at Home explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Vanity and Hypocrisy

  Miss Crawley's 'friendship' with Becky is based on convenience and self-interest; the narrator cynically observes that the rich accept service as their due and that parasites love money, not the man.

• Social Class and Ambition

  Becky's sharp retorts to George Osborne highlight the class tensions between the landed gentry (Crawleys) and the City mercantile families (Osbornes), as well as her own ambition to rise above her governess status.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Becky presents a facade of humble service while secretly maneuvering for advantage; Miss Crawley suspects her motives but enjoys her company, and Rawdon's infatuation blinds him to Becky's true designs.

Characters to notice

• Becky Sharp

  Now Miss Crawley's constant companion in London, Becky skillfully manages the old lady while fending off Rawdon's advances and Sir Pitt's demands for her return.

• Miss Crawley

  The wealthy spinster enjoys Becky's services and company, though she harbors a cynical awareness that her friends are motivated by her money.

• Amelia Sedley

  Visited by Miss Crawley and Becky in Russell Square; her sweet, blushing face and natural manners charm Miss Crawley, who invites her to Park Lane.

• Rawdon Crawley

  The guardsman is infatuated with Becky, but she repeatedly humiliates him; he also befriends George Osborne and warns Becky about his father's intentions.

• George Osborne

  Visits Miss Crawley's home, attempts to patronize Becky, but is coolly put down by her; he makes plans with Rawdon for billiards and horse-trading.

• Sir Pitt Crawley

  Desperate for Becky's return to Queen's Crawley, he sends frequent letters to her and Miss Crawley, pleading for her to resume her duties as governess and secretary.

• Miss Briggs

  Though not formally dismissed, her role as Miss Crawley's companion has become a sinecure, and she is largely ignored in favor of Becky.

Key passages

• “They take needy people's services as their due. Nor have you, O poor parasite and humble hanger-on, much reason to complain! Your friendship for Dives is about as sincere as the return which it usually gets. It is money you love, and not the man; and were Croesus and his footman to change places you know, you poor rogue, who would have the benefit of your allegiance.”

  Rich people expect service from the poor as if it were their right, and the poor flatterer has no right to complain, because his friendship is based on money, not genuine affection.

  The narrator's cynical commentary on the transactional nature of relationships between the wealthy and their dependents.

• “Do you suppose I have no feeling of self-respect, because I am poor and friendless, and because rich people have none? Do you think, because I am a governess, I have not as much sense, and feeling, and good breeding as you gentlefolks in Hampshire? I'm a Montmorency. Do you suppose a Montmorency is not as good as a Crawley?”

  Becky angrily defends her honor and social worth to Rawdon, asserting that her poverty does not diminish her pride or breeding, and that her noble French ancestry makes her equal to any Crawley.

  Becky's fierce declaration of self-respect, invoking her maternal lineage to counter Rawdon's insinuations about Sir Pitt's intentions.

• “Miss Sharp put out her right forefinger, and gave him a little nod, so cool and killing, that Rawdon Crawley, watching the operations from the other room, could hardly restrain his laughter as he saw the Lieutenant's entire discomfiture; the start he gave, the pause, and the perfect clumsiness with which he at length condescended to take the finger which was offered for his embrace.”

  When George Osborne offers his left hand to Becky in a patronizing manner, she extends only a single finger and nods coolly, utterly discomfiting him and amusing Rawdon.

  Becky's subtle but devastating social rebuke of George Osborne, demonstrating her mastery of social dynamics.