Vanity Fair · Chapter
In Which We Enjoy Three Courses and a Dessert explained
Lord Steyne forces his reluctant wife and daughter-in-law to invite Becky and Rawdon Crawley to a prestigious dinner at Gaunt House.
What happens
Lord Steyne forces his reluctant wife and daughter-in-law to invite Becky and Rawdon Crawley to a prestigious dinner at Gaunt House. At the event, Becky navigates the hostile society of high-born ladies, cleverly reminding Lady Bareacres of a humiliating incident at Brussels, and wins over Lady Steyne by singing religious songs that move her to tears. The chapter exposes the hypocrisy, power dynamics, and social climbing within the aristocracy.
Themes in this chapter
Vanity and Hypocrisy
The aristocratic ladies publicly scorn Becky while privately being vulnerable to social pressure and financial ruin, exposing their vanity and hypocrisy.
Social Class and Ambition
Becky's rise from governess to guest at Gaunt House illustrates her ambitious social climbing, while the nobles' disdain reveals rigid class barriers.
Marriage as Transaction
Lord Steyne's marriage to Lady Steyne is portrayed as a transaction of power and money, with him controlling her and their children.
Wealth and Poverty
The contrast between the opulent Gaunt House and the bankrupt Bareacres family highlights the instability of wealth among the aristocracy.
Characters to notice
- Becky Sharp
Becky is the guest of honor at Gaunt House, using her wit and charm to navigate the hostile reception from the aristocratic ladies.
- Lord Steyne
Lord Steyne asserts his dominance over his family, forcing them to accept Becky and revealing his cynical control over the household.
- Lady Steyne
Lady Steyne is initially passive but later shows pity for Becky, moved by her singing of religious songs.
- Lady Gaunt
Lady Gaunt openly defies Lord Steyne's command to invite Becky but is forced to comply, revealing her pride and resentment.
- Lady Bareacres
Lady Bareacres is humiliated by Becky's reminder of her past desperation for horses at Brussels, and is now financially ruined.
- Rawdon Crawley
Rawdon accompanies Becky to the dinner and shares a laugh with Lord Southdown over Lady Bareacres' humiliation.
- Lord Bareacres
Lord Bareacres is mentioned as a bankrupt old man who avoids dining with Steyne due to his debts.
- Miss Osborne
Miss Osborne is referenced indirectly as part of the social circle, but not directly featured in this chapter.
Key passages
“This Temple of Virtue belongs to me. And if I invite all Newgate or all Bedlam here, by ⸻ they shall be welcome.”
Lord Steyne declares that his house is his own domain and he can invite anyone he pleases, even criminals or lunatics.
This shows Lord Steyne's absolute authority and contempt for social conventions.
“I had the pleasure of making your Ladyship's acquaintance at Brussels, ten years ago... I hope your Ladyship's diamonds are safe.”
Becky reminds Lady Bareacres of their meeting at the Duchess of Richmond's ball and alludes to the seizure of her diamonds.
Becky uses this memory to assert social dominance and embarrass Lady Bareacres.
“She sang religious songs of Mozart, which had been early favourites of Lady Steyne, and with such sweetness and tenderness that the lady, lingering round the piano, sat down by its side and listened until the tears rolled down her eyes.”
Becky's singing of Mozart's religious music deeply moves Lady Steyne, evoking nostalgic memories of her convent days.
This moment of genuine emotion contrasts with the artificial social maneuvering around them.
