MB UNIUD

Characterization of the characters of the first chapter of Vanity Fair.

Rebecca Sharp: just considering her surname we understand what kind of person she is: she is precisely and intelligent. Becky's character is told through the behaviours of people towards the orphan and her friend Amelia.

Becky, the protagonist of the novel, is an orphan who can pay her rent at Chiswick Mall because of her French lessons in the school where "nobody took any notice" and "nobody cried for leaving her". We see that the word "her" is written different from the other words, probably as a disparaging, so we have the point of view of who treated Becky as an inferior. While Miss Sharp and Miss Sedley are in the carriage, Miss Jemima gives Amelia some sandwiches and to Becky a dictionary (which she throws out of the window of the carriage), this shows that she isn't a good student and underlines her unnatural personality, she isn't a "good" girl, just like the conventions of Victorian Age want. Another episode that shows how Becky is treated is when Miss Pinkerton hugs Amelia and scowls Becky. 

But the girl is a strong, intelligent and vindictive girl. As a matter of fact, when she goes to Miss Pinkerton to say goodbye she says "Mademoiselle, je viens vous faire mes adieux." But Miss Pinkerton don't understand French, so Becky tooks a little revenge.

Amelia Sedley: just considering her surname we understand that she is the typical calm and good Victiorian Age girl. She is Beacky's friend, a very rich girl and in Chiswick Mall is treated like a princess, as a matter of fact she has her own retainer. Because of her being as society wanted her and because of her money everybody loves her: Miss Pinkerton hugs her while saying "Heaven bless you my child". As I said talking about Becky, Miss Jemima gives Amelia something to eat for the journey.  

Miss Pinkerton: she is the headmaster of Chiswick Mall. The novelist plays irony on her: " biting her lips[...]solemn turban". She thinks she is an important person and that people should treat her like a queen, as a matter of fact she waves one hand in order to give Becky "an opportunity of shaking one of the fingers of the hand which was left out for that purpose". So Miss Pinkerton thinks that Miss Sharp should be thankful to her only because she gave her somewhere to sleep.

Miss Jemima: She is part of the staff of Chiswick Mall and is Miss Pinkerton's sister. She is a week person.