# Chapter XVI: The Letter on the Pincushion explained — Vanity Fair

> Chapter companion for Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

## What happens

Rebecca Sharp elopes with Rawdon Crawley, leaving behind a letter for Miss Briggs that reveals the secret marriage. The news is broken to Miss Crawley by Mrs. Bute Crawley and Briggs, causing shock and outrage. Meanwhile, Rawdon prepares lodgings for their new life, and the chapter explores the sentimental reactions of the household.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Transaction

Rebecca's marriage to Rawdon is a strategic move to secure her future, contrasting with Sir Pitt's proposal and the social calculations involved.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Rebecca's secret marriage and her feigned devotion to Miss Crawley highlight the disparity between her public persona and private actions.

### Family and Betrayal

The elopement is seen as a betrayal by Miss Crawley and Mrs. Bute, who view Rebecca and Rawdon as ungrateful and deceitful.

## Character check-ins

### Becky Sharp

Elopes with Rawdon Crawley, leaving a dramatic letter for Miss Briggs.

### Rawdon Crawley

Marries Rebecca and arranges lodgings at Brompton, acting with impetuous love.

### Miss Crawley

The aunt who is shocked and angered by the elopement, having been kept in the dark.

### Miss Briggs

Receives Rebecca's letter and becomes the first confidante of the news.

### Mrs. Bute Crawley

Arrives opportunely and helps break the news to Miss Crawley, condemning Rebecca and Rawdon.

### Sir Pitt Crawley

His proposal to Rebecca is mentioned as a recent event that Rebecca refused due to her secret marriage.

## Key lines

> Dear Miss Briggs (the refugee wrote), the kindest heart in the world, as yours is, will pity and sympathise with me and excuse me. With tears, and prayers, and blessings, I leave the home where the poor orphan has ever met with kindness and affection.

Rebecca writes to Miss Briggs, appealing to her kindness and explaining that she leaves with tears and blessings, despite the kindness she received.

_Rebecca's letter is crafted to evoke sympathy and justify her elopement._

> When Sir Pitt deigned to offer me his hand, an honour of which my beloved Miss Crawley said I was deserving (my blessings go with her for judging the poor orphan worthy to be her sister !) I told Sir Pitt that I was already a wife .

Rebecca reveals that she refused Sir Pitt's proposal because she was already married to Rawdon.

_This disclosure explains her earlier refusal and sets the stage for the elopement revelation._

> I am wedded to the best and most generous of men⁠—Miss Crawley’s Rawdon is my Rawdon. At his command I open my lips, and follow him to our humble home, as I would through the world .

Rebecca declares her marriage to Rawdon Crawley, stating she follows him obediently to their new home.

_This line emphasizes Rebecca's portrayal of herself as a dutiful wife, though her motives are more complex._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xvi-the-letter-on-the-pincushion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters