Vanity Fair · Chapter
A Marriage and Part of a Honeymoon explained
George Osborne and Amelia Sedley are married in a tense, rain-soaked ceremony, with George's father still opposed.
What happens
George Osborne and Amelia Sedley are married in a tense, rain-soaked ceremony, with George's father still opposed. After the wedding, the couples honeymoon in Brighton, where they socialize and play cards. News arrives that the army is ordered to Belgium, foreshadowing war. Meanwhile, Becky and Rawdon Crawley struggle with debt but maintain a cheerful facade, and Jos Sedley enjoys his role as a dandy.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage as Transaction
George's marriage to Amelia is opposed by his father due to financial concerns, and Becky and Rawdon's marriage is strained by debt and reliance on Miss Crawley's inheritance.
Wealth and Poverty
The contrast between the Osbornes' precarious finances and the Sedleys' decline, alongside Becky and Rawdon's debt-ridden yet lavish lifestyle, highlights the theme.
War and Its Aftermath
The news of the army's deployment to Belgium introduces the looming threat of war, which will impact the characters' lives.
Characters to notice
- George Osborne
Marries Amelia despite his father's opposition; nervous and agitated before the wedding, but later enjoys Brighton.
- Amelia Sedley
Marries George; leaves with him after an emotional farewell from her mother.
- William Dobbin
Supports George through the wedding; feels lonely and miserable afterward, longing to see Amelia again.
- Becky Sharp
Now married to Rawdon; skillfully manages creditors and maintains a cheerful, debt-ridden lifestyle in Brighton.
- Rawdon Crawley
Married to Becky; enjoys life despite debts, plays cards and billiards with Jos and George.
- Joseph Sedley
Visits Brighton in grand style; flirts with maidservants and plays billiards, affecting a military air.
Key passages
“I knew once a gentleman and very worthy practitioner in Vanity Fair, who used to do little wrongs to his neighbours on purpose, and in order to apologise for them in an open and manly way afterwards—and what ensued? My friend Crocky Doyle was liked everywhere, and deemed to be rather impetuous—but the honestest fellow.”
A man in society would deliberately commit minor offenses just so he could apologize grandly, and this made him popular and seen as honest.
Illustrates the theme of appearance vs. reality and the hypocrisy of social behavior.
“Everybody in Vanity Fair must have remarked how well those live who are comfortably and thoroughly in debt: how they deny themselves nothing; how jolly and easy they are in their minds.”
People who are deeply in debt often live happily and without worry, indulging in luxuries as if they were wealthy.
Highlights the theme of wealth and poverty and the ironic comfort of debt in Vanity Fair.