Vanity Fair · Chapter
Between London and Chatham explained
George Osborne, newly married to Amelia, arrives in London in grand style, staying at a fine hotel in Cavendish Square.
What happens
George Osborne, newly married to Amelia, arrives in London in grand style, staying at a fine hotel in Cavendish Square. He treats Jos and Dobbin to a lavish dinner, while Amelia timidly presides at her own table for the first time. After dinner, Amelia visits her mother at Fulham, but George declines to accompany her, preferring to attend the theatre. At her parents' home, Amelia reflects on her marriage, feeling the distance between the idealized George and the real man, and finds some solace in prayer and making her parents happy. Meanwhile, George meets with his father's solicitors to claim his inheritance of two thousand pounds, determined to maintain his lifestyle and prepare for the upcoming campaign against Napoleon, which society views as a fashionable tour rather than a serious war.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
George's grand hotel, lavish dinner, and swaggering demeanor reflect his ambition to maintain a gentlemanly status despite financial strain.
Marriage as Transaction
Amelia's disillusionment with George after marriage highlights the transactional and often disappointing nature of matrimonial alliances.
Appearance vs. Reality
George's public bravado contrasts with his private financial troubles and coldness toward Amelia, while Amelia's outward cheerfulness masks her inner sadness.
Characters to notice
- George Osborne
Arrives in London with his bride, hosts a lavish dinner, attends the theatre alone, and confronts his father's solicitors to claim his inheritance.
- Amelia Sedley
Presides at her first dinner as Mrs. Osborne, visits her mother, reflects on her marriage with sadness, and goes shopping for her foreign tour.
- Joseph Sedley
Dines with George and Dobbin, enjoys turtle soup, and later sleeps off the meal before returning to his lodgings.
- William Dobbin
Attends the dinner, remonstrates about the extravagance, escorts Amelia to her coach, and returns to his quarters at the Slaughters'.
- Mrs. Sedley
Welcomes Amelia with maternal affection, accompanies her shopping, and feels happy for the first time since their misfortunes.
- John Sedley
Is cheered by Amelia's visit and her singing of his favorite songs.
- Rawdon Crawley
Mentioned as having won money from George at billiards and cards.
Key passages
“George did the honours of the place with a princely air to Jos and Dobbin; and Amelia, for the first time, and with exceeding shyness and timidity, presided at what George called her own table.”
George played the gracious host to Jos and Dobbin, while Amelia, nervous and shy, took her place as hostess for the first time.
Highlights Amelia's discomfort and George's performative generosity.
“She looked at the little white bed, which had been hers a few days before, and thought she would like to sleep in it that night, and wake, as formerly, with her mother smiling over her in the morning: Then she thought with terror of the great funereal damask pavilion in the vast and dingy state bedroom, which was awaiting her at the grand hotel in Cavendish Square.”
Amelia longed for the comfort of her childhood bed and her mother's presence, dreading the gloomy, oversized bedroom at the hotel.
Illustrates Amelia's nostalgia and fear of her new married life.
“And in determining to make everybody else happy, she found herself so; and was sound asleep in the great funereal pavilion, and only woke up with a smile when George arrived from the theatre.”
By focusing on the happiness of others, Amelia cheered herself up and slept peacefully, waking with a smile when George returned.
Shows Amelia's selfless nature and temporary emotional recovery.
