Vanity Fair · Chapter
In Which Jos Takes Flight, and the War Is Brought to a Close explained
As panic grips Brussels following the Battle of Waterloo, Joseph Sedley, terrified by rumors of French victory, desperately seeks to flee.
What happens
As panic grips Brussels following the Battle of Waterloo, Joseph Sedley, terrified by rumors of French victory, desperately seeks to flee. He encounters Rebecca Sharp, who exploits his fear to sell him her horses at an exorbitant price. Meanwhile, Amelia Sedley and Mrs. O'Dowd tend to the wounded Ensign Stubble, who recounts the bravery of George Osborne and William Dobbin in battle. The chapter juxtaposes Jos's cowardice with the quiet heroism of the soldiers, culminating in the war's end and the survival of the British army.
Themes in this chapter
War and Its Aftermath
The chapter vividly portrays the chaos and fear in Brussels during the Battle of Waterloo, contrasting the heroism of soldiers like Dobbin with the cowardice of civilians like Jos.
Vanity and Hypocrisy
Rebecca's manipulation of Jos for profit and her public humiliation of Lady Bareacres expose the selfishness and moral decay beneath the surface of polite society.
Social Class and Ambition
Rebecca's calculated sale of horses to Jos demonstrates her ambition to secure financial independence, regardless of the social upheaval around her.
Characters to notice
- Joseph Sedley
Panicked and desperate to flee Brussels, Jos is manipulated by Rebecca into buying her horses at a high price, revealing his cowardice and selfishness.
- Becky Sharp
Rebecca cunningly exploits the chaos to sell her horses to Jos for a fortune, calculating her financial independence regardless of the war's outcome.
- Amelia Sedley
Amelia tends to the wounded Ensign Stubble, finding solace in duty and relief upon learning of George's safety after the battle.
- George Osborne
Mentioned as having bravely cut down a French lancer and survived the battle, though his fate remains a source of anxiety for Amelia.
- William Dobbin
Praised for his modesty, kindness, and coolness in battle, Dobbin carries the wounded Stubble to safety and ensures Amelia knows George is unharmed.
- Ensign Stubble
Wounded in battle, Stubble is brought to the hotel and cared for by Amelia and Mrs. O'Dowd, recounting the day's events.
- Mrs. O'Dowd
Assists Amelia in nursing Stubble and provides comfort, while also praising Dobbin's character.
- Lady Bareacres
Humiliated by Rebecca's public taunts about her inability to secure horses and her diamonds sewn into carriage cushions.
Key passages
“It is all over... Milor Duke is a prisoner; the Duke of Brunswick is killed; the British army is in full flight; there is only one man escaped, and he is in the kitchen.”
Isidor rushes to Jos with the false news that the British army has been defeated and the Duke of Wellington captured, heightening Jos's panic.
This rumor, based on the hussar's exaggerated tale, drives Jos's desperate flight and underscores the spread of misinformation during wartime.
“He shall buy my horses... and I'll ride the mare.”
Rebecca decides to sell her horses to Jos at an inflated price, planning to keep the better horse for herself.
Rebecca's calculated opportunism highlights her cunning and self-interest amid the crisis.
“Indeed, but he has a good heart that William Dobbin... though he is always laughing at me.”
Mrs. O'Dowd praises Dobbin's kindness and bravery, despite his teasing of her.
This quote emphasizes Dobbin's heroic and selfless character, contrasting with Jos's cowardice.
