MATERIALISM AND SOCIAL STATUS:
THACKERAY’S SATIRE ON BRITISH SOCIETY OF THE
EARLY VICTORIAN ERA THROUGH REBECCA SHARP
CHARACTER IN VANITY FAIR
A Thesis
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain theSarjana PendidikanDegree
in English Language Education
By
Nadia Octaviani Student Number: 021214111
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
We are what we imagine
Our very existence consist in our imagination of ourselves
Our best destiny is to imagine who and what we are
The greatest tragedy to befall us is to go unimagined
N. Scott Nomaday
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank those who have given me their affection, support, guidance and criticism in finishing every part of my thesis.
First of all, I would like to bestow my gratitude toAllah s.w.t.for guiding and keeping me not to stray from His path and finally finish my thesis. My deepest gratitude is given to my beloved dad and mom, Pak Kun and Mama Ning, who have given me their never-ending affection and prayer to support me through the life. I also thank them for keeping asking patiently on the progress of my thesis. I would like to thank my two little brothers, Danang and Damar, for kindly sharing their fight and laugh with me.
My greatest appreciation is addressed to my sponsor Ibu Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M. Hum., who believed and convinced me that I am able to finish and defend my thesis, though I hesitated in myself. I really thank her for her patient guidance, suggestion, time and ideas in improving this thesis. My thankfulness goes to Ibu Agnes Dwina Herdiasti S.Pd., M.A., who had checked my thesis in such a short time. I also would like to thank to all PBI lecturersfor the experience and knowledge that I could be proud of myself as a student of PBI. My thanks are given to Mbak Dani and Mbak Tari for helping me in every administration problems.
gratitude also goes to all of my comrades who have kept me away from a dull life. Sasha, Echie, Ita, Mawar, I thank them for always welcoming me. Thanks for the never “jaim” friendship lesson. It has been six-wonderful-year friendship. To all my 2002 companions, Ook, Udjo, Metty, Uchiel, Lissa, Wida, Regina, Andre, Miko, Galih, Reni, Ikas, Rika,I am proud to know them all. I also thank “Black Jacket” and“Wizard of Oz” plays performance squads for showing the fun of self esteem. ForEndra 14a girls, I thank them all for sharing the same roof Uwi for delivering the meal, Chiwi for swimming lesson and special thanks for my insomniac companion Ayu, for her late night sharing and grammar-checking session. I also thankDianandDiahwho had been my whip to finish this thesis.
Last but not the least; I am grateful to those whom I cannot mention one by one. Thanks would not be enough to show my gratitude.
Yogyakarta, April 16, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE ... i
PAGE OF APPROVAL ... ii
PAGE OF BOARD EXAMINERS ... iii
STATEMENTS OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY... iv
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMI... v
PAGE OF DEDICATION... vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vii
TABLE OF CONTENT ... ix
ABSTRACT ... xii
ABSTRAK ... xiii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1 Background of the Study ... 1
1.2. Problem Formulation ... 4
1.3. Objectives of the Study ... 4
1.4. Benefits of the Study ... 5
1.5. Definition of the Terms ... 5
CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 8
2.1. Review of Related Theories ... 8
2.1.2. Theory of characterization ... 10
2.1.3. Theory of Critical Approach ... 11
2.1.4. Theory of Satire ... 12
2.1.5. The Relationship between Literature and Society ... 14
2.2. Review on British Society of Victorian Era ... 16
2.1. Governmental and Political condition ... 16
2.2. Economic Condition ... 17
2.3. Social Condition ... 18
2.3.1. High Class Society ... 18
2.3.2. Middle Class Society ... 19
2.3.3. Lower Class Society ... 19
2.2.4. Moral Values ... 19
2.3. Criticism ... 21
2.4. Theoretical Framework ... 22
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ... 24
3.1. Subject Matter ... 24
3.2. Approach of the Study ... 25
3.3. Method of the Study ... 26
CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS ... 28
4.1. Character Analysis of Rebecca Sharp ... 28
4.1.1 Social Traits ... 29
4.1.3. Psychological Traits ... 33
4.1.3.1 Cunning ... 33
4.1.3.2. Clever ... 35
4.1.3.3. Independent ... 37
4.1.3.4. Selfish ... 39
4.1.3.5. Hypocritical ... 40
4.1.3.6. Ambitious ... 42
4.2. Satire on British Society ... 44
4.2.1. Thackeray Satirizes British Society is Materialistic ... 46
4.2.2. Thackeray Satirizes the Importance of Social Status ... 48
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 51
5.1. Conclusions ... 51
5.2. Suggestions ... 53
5.2.1. Suggestions for Future Researcher ... 53
5.2.2. Suggestion for Teaching Learning Activities ... 53
BIBLIOGRAPHY... 56
APPENDICES 1. Summary of the Novel ... 58
2. Biography of William Makepeace Thackeray ... 63
3. Lesson Plan for Teaching Speaking ... 66
4. Material for Teaching Speaking ... 68
5. The works of Thackeray ... 71
ABSTRACT
Octaviani, Nadia.2008.Materialism and Social Status: Thackeray’s Satire on British Society of the Early Victorian Era through Rebecca Sharp Character in Vanity Fair. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Sanata Dharma University.
This study is conducted to analyze the characterization of Rebecca Sharp, one of the main characters in Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. This study also analyzes Thackeray’s portrayal upon British society in the early Victorian era. Vanity Fair is categorized as a social novel, a novel which mostly describes the relationship between people in a society. Through the social novel, the readers may see the life and the shape of a particular society as well as the conflicts that exist within it. This study is conducted based on the reasons that through a character’s eyes, the readers may see the world and the society. There are similarities of situation between the society in the novel and the society where Thackeray lives. Therefore, this study aims also to find out how Thackeray’s view and satires on the society.
There are two main questions that are going to be discussed in this study, namely (1) how the character of Rebecca Sharp is described in the novel, and (2) how Thackeray satirizes the British Society of the early Victorian Era.
The data gathering method used was library research. The data was collected from the novel itself as the primary source and criticisms of the novel and other sources related to the novel as the secondary data. This study used the socio-cultural approach. The theory of character and characterization were employed in order to answer the first question. These theories were used to find out Rebecca Sharp’s characterization. To answer the second question, the theory of character, the theory of satire, the relationship between literature and society, and review on British Society at early Victorian era are used.
ABSTRAK
Octaviani, Nadia.2008. Materialism and Social Status: Thackeray’s Satire on British Society of the Early Victorian Era through his Character in Vanity Fair. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Studi ini disusun untuk menganalisis karakter Rebecca Sharp, salah satu tokoh utama dalam novel Vanity Fair karya Thackeray. Studi ini juga menganalisa gambaran Thackeray terhadap masyarakat Inggris pada awal jaman Victoria. Vanity Fair termasuk dalam kategori novel sosial, sebuah novel yang kebanyakan menceritakan tentang hubungan antar orang dalam sebuah masyarakat. Melalui novel sosial, para pembaca dapat melihat kehidupan dan bentuk dari sebuah masyarakat tertentu, demikian juga dengan konflik-konflik yang terdapat didalamnya. Alasan studi ini disusun adalah bahwa melalui mata sang karakter, para pembaca dapat melihat dunia dan masyarakat. Terdapat persamaan situasi antara masyarakat di novel dan masyarakat dimana Thackeray hidup. Oleh karena itu, studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimnana pandangan dan sindiran Thackeray terhadap masyarakat tersebut.
Ada dua permasalah mendasar yang akan dibahas dalam studi ini, yaitu (1) bagaimana karakter Rebecca Sharp dideskripsikan didalam novel, dan (2) bagaimana Thackeray menyindir masyarakat Inggris pada awal jaman Viktoria.
Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah studi pustaka. Data dikumpulkan dari novel itu sendiri sebagai sumber utama, kritik mengenai novel, dan beberapa sumber lainnya. Teori karakter dan karakteristik digunakan untuk menjawab pertanyaan pertama. Teori-teori tersebut digunakan untuk mencari tahu karakteristik Rebecca Sharp. Sementara untuk menjawab pertanyaan kedua menggunakan teori karakter, teori sindiran, hubungan antara literatur dan masyarakat, dan review mengenai masyarakat Inggris pada awal jaman Victoria. Pendekatan yang digunakan pada studi ini adalah pendekatan sosio-kultural.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter consists of the background of the study, objectives of the study, problem formulation, benefits of the study, and definition of terms. The background of the study focuses on the reasons why Vanity Fair was chosen. The objectives of the study section explains the purpose of this study. The problem formulation part gives the general description of what is going to be discussed in this study. The section that talks about benefit of the study is the explanation of the advantages of the study and those who can get the benefits from this study. The definition of terms explains about the terms that are used in this study.
1.1 Background of the Study
Literary works can be categorized into three major genres: novels, poems, and dramas. According to Walker, among many other literary works, novel is “the most democratic of all, because it makes least demand for education and training and puts the smallest strain upon the intelligence of the reader” (612). It is relatively easier to enjoy a novel rather than the other literary works.
Bonald says that “literature is an expression of society” (qtd. in Wellek and Warren 110). Through Dickens’ Oliver Twist, readers may see the cruel and hard life of London’s street from the eyes of a child, or having known about the wizard’s world from Rowling’s famous novels of Harry Potter.
Henkle proposes what he calls social novels, along with three other basic modes of novels: the psychological novel, the novel of symbolic action, and the modern romance. Social novels flourished in the nineteenth century. They usually “describe entire societies, have varied casts of characters, are filled with action, and depict life over a period of time” (Henkle 22). These novels seem realistic because the world and the people of the novel are created similar to those in real life. It presents life-like characters in familiar and possible social situations.
Social interaction is one of the important activities of these novels. They describe the relationship between people in a society. The readers can get the description of a country, classes of people, and subcultures of the time from reading these novels. The main characters of these novels usually define themselves through interaction with other characters. Therefore, “much of what takes place in social novels is not internalized within the individual; rather it transpires in the open between people” (Henkle 23).
too close to avoid transferring meaning from one to others. The fuller a novel’s portrayal of society is, the more likely we are to feel as if we are part of it” (Henkle 26-27). In portraying the society, the author can also express his or her own opinion on the society. This opens up to the possibility for the author to try to satirize the society. By analyzing the author’s satire conveyed in his novel, readers can also find out how the society looks like.
Like many other social novels, which “describe entire society and have many casts of characters” (Henkle 22), Thackeray’s Vanity Fair also serves much information about the condition of society and characters. It tells about the life journey of two best friends, Rebecca Sharp and Amelia Sedley, who come from different classes in the society. Being a child of a poor painter father and a French artist mother, Rebecca, or often called Becky, has suffered from poverty since she is a little girl. Her friend Amelia, on the other hand, has a better life because she is born from a merchant family. The setting takes place predominantly in England, Belgium, and France during the battle of Waterloo around 1815 between France and England. The novel further reveals how those two women try to meet their ambitions; Becky, with her obsession with money and being accepted into high class society, and Amelia’s obsession with true love.
interesting experience in reading this novel. However, we all know that money, power, and social status do not always determine one’s happiness.
Thackeray portrays the perception of a particular society towards money and social status through his characters in the novel. Though there are many characters in the novel, the most relevant character to be explored further in this study is Rebecca Sharp. Rebecca Sharp is considered the best representative to portray the society. She represents both the life of a lower-class and high-class society. She is a girl without money and social status, but later in her life she can lift up her status and enter the glamorous life of high-class society
1.2. Problem Formulation
There are two problems that will be discussed in the study:
1. How is the characteristic of Rebecca Sharp described in Thackeray’s Vanity Fair?
2. How does Thackeray satirize the British society of the early Victorian era through Rebecca Sharp’s character in Vanity Fair?
1.3. Objectives of the Study
1.4. Benefits of the Study
There are two groups of people who can get the benefits from this study. The first group is the readers in general. The readers can get a better understanding not only the story being told, but also the background of it. Hopefully, from this study, readers become aware that there are many more important things in this world besides money, power, and social status. The second group is the readers who are going to conduct studies on this novel. They can use this study as one of their sources. There is also suggestion in implementing Vanity Fair to teach speaking.
1.5. Definition of the Terms
There are several terms that will be discussed in the definition of the terms. These terms need to be clarified in order to give better understanding of the study.
The second word issocial status.According to Gary Day, status means “a legal term designating any mark of distinction which placed an individual in a defined position in society in relation to others.” Status can also be defined in terms of honor or prestige. “It is perfectly possible for a profession to carry a high prestige factor, for example a priest, while at the same time having a low remuneration” (10). A similar statement is also made by Richard T. Schaefer. He says status refers to “any position of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society – from the lowest to the highest position” (112). Status often conveys connotations of influence, wealth, and fame. Schaefer categorizes status into two parts, ascribed status and achieved status. “Ascribed status is “assigned” to a person by society without regard for the individual’s unique talents or characteristics” (112). He describes that this assignment takes place at birth, therefore, one’s racial background, gender, and age are considered as ascribed statuses. While achieved status is “attained by an individual largely through his or her own effort” (Schaefer 113). One must do something to acquire an achieved status, for example go to school, or learn some particular skills. Teachers, parents, soldiers are the example of achieved statuses. In this study, nobility, or family name, is considered as an ascribed status. As they are determined at birth, it is difficult to change an ascribed status, although in some cases people can change it by marriage. For example, by marrying Rawdon Crawley, Becky was able to use the Crawley name.
interrelationships” (Henkle 23). The society in this study refers to the British society in the early Victorian Era. The society, here, also includes the customs, perceptions and attitudes, beliefs and values, even the economic, social, governmental, and political conditions.
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter presents discussions on review of related literature. The discussions are divided into review of related theories, review on British society of the early Victorian era, criticism, and theoretical framework. In the review on related theories, there is a discussion about theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of critical approaches, theory of satire, and the relationship between literature and society. In the review of British society of Victorian era, explanation about the British society of Victorian Era is presented. The theoretical framework covers why and how those theories are applied in order to answer the problems.
2.1 Review of Related Theories
There are five things that will be discussed in the review of related theories; those are: theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of critical approaches, theory of satire, and the relation between literature and society.
2.1.1. Theory of Character
these individuals” (17). In other words, character is both the people in the novel and their personalities or characteristics.
Character is one of the most important aspects in the novel. Through the eyes of the characters, the readers can experience not only the characters’ life but also see what Henkle said as “a vision of a world” (48). The characters tell the story of the novel and put across the picture from their world. The readers, therefore, can identify the novel’s world through the characters. Wellek and Warren also say that the author expresses his idea and knowledge about his society in the world of literature by using language as a medium in his fictitious characters. The use of fictitious characters in fiction, such as heroes and villains afford interesting indications of social attitude, which is similar to the characteristics of the people in his society (104). Elizabeth Langlard also states that by looking at the interaction between characters, we can see the society or the world of the novel. “This society may also be revealed through human relationships, through characters patterned interactions and their common expectations from one another” (6)
Forster divides characters into flat and round. Flat characters are easily recognized, “they are constructed round a single idea or quality” (47). They change only a little part from the beginning to the end of the story. On the other hand, round characters are more complex than the flat characters. They are more dynamic and can change. The changes will influence the character. The action of this character is often unpredictable by the readers.
2.1.2. Theory of Characterization
According to Holman and Harmon (81), the technique the author uses to reveal the characters of an imaginary person in the story is called characterization. By knowing the technique that the author uses, the readers can get descriptions about the characters of the novel. The descriptions of the characters can help the readers to know and understand them better. The techniques the author uses may vary from one to another.
There are many ways in characterizing characters. The following are nine ways Murphy says the author can employ “to make his characters understandable to, and come alive for, his readers” (161).
character says something or has a conversation with other characters, he gives the readers some clues to his characters (164). Next is by exploring the character’s past life. The pictures of the character’s past life can be traced and learnt to help us figure out the character’s action of the present time. (166). The fifth is by seeing from conversation of others. The clues to one character can be revealed through the conversation with other characters (167). The sixth is by reaction. The response or the reaction of a character to something may give the readers clues to one’s character (168). The seventh way is by direct comments. In this way, usually the author of the novel acts as a narrator. The author describes one’s character by giving a comment directly (170). The eight is by thought. The readers can know the character’s inner ideas and thoughts by looking at what one is thinking about directly, or by other characters’ though about him or her (171). The last way is by seeing one’s mannerism. The readers can get clues of one’s characters by his mannerism, habits or idiosyncrasies (173).
2.1.3. Theory of Critical Approaches
matters of technique determine structure (6-7). The second approach is the biographical approach. This approach emphasizes the necessity for an appreciation of the ideas and personality of the author to an understanding of the literary object. Critics try to learn as much as they can about the life and development of the author and apply this knowledge in their attempt to understand his writing (8-9). The third is the sociocultural-historical approach. Two factors are present here. Firstly, accuracy in the presentation of historical facts is of value to the historian, but not necessarily to the author. Secondly, a work of literature might have historical significance, but not necessarily literary significance (9-11). The fourth is the mythopoeic approach. The critics use of mythopoeic frame of reference try to discover certain universally recurrent patterns of human thought, which they believe exist in significant works of arts (11-13). The last approach that Rohrberger and Woods present is the psychological approach. This approach involves the effort to locate and demonstrate certain recurrent patterns. In applying this theory, we must be careful not to take the part for the whole and reduce a piece of literature to a mere statement of a behavior pattern (13-15).
2.1.4. The Theory of Satire
According to Holman and Harmon, a satire is “a literary manner that blends a critical attitude with humor and wit for the purpose of improving human institutions or humanity” (447). While Abrams says that a satire is “the literary art of diminishing or derogating a subject by making it ridiculous and evoking toward it attitudes of amusement, contempt, scorn, or indignation” (187). Though both of them are using laughter and comedy as tools, a satire is different from a comic. In comic, comedy evokes laughter mainly as an end, while satire evokes laughter as a weapon, and against an object that exists outside the work itself. A satire is an author way of criticizing a certain object that he dislikes or disagrees. “A satire is an author’s style to criticize the root of the matter which the author is taken as a fancy and does not agree with” (Abrams 187).The object of a satire can be many things, included an individual, a type of persons, a class, an institution, a nation, or even the whole human race (Abrams 187).
made even more ridiculous by the author’s comments and narrative style” (Abrams 188)
2.1.5. The Relationship between Literature and Society
According to Langlard, society means “not merely people and their classes but also their customs, conventions, beliefs and values, their institutions – legal, religious, and cultural-- and their physical environment (6). It means that society can be defined as two; a group of people and the system that embodied in them. She divides society into two; they are the world that exists in the novel and the world in which a writer lives. The two can influence each other. The world in which a writer lives may influence the world in the novel in a way that there are similarities between the two. On the other hand, the world in a novel may influence the world in which a writer lives in a way that it is the author’s way in expressing his opinion or criticisms towards it. It means that the readers may find out that while reading along the novel, they may find the messages or values that the author conveys.
The question of values has strong mimetic implications. Analyzing the values …allows us to address questions of why novels mean what they mean to us and why they can affect us powerfully. Society, as depicted in the novel, thus comments on the roles and possibilities of society in our lives (Langlard 6).
social ideology. “Since every writer is a member of society, he can be studied as a social being” (96). The main source is his biography, but the information about where he came and in which he lived becomes another important point to explore. His opinion of what happen in his society matters in analyzing his work.
The second is the influence of literature on society. It has a connection in a way that the writer is not only being influenced by society but also influencing society. The work that he produces is also influencing the shape and behavior of society. People learn how to live their lives based on what they read in the book (Wellek and Warren 105).
2.2. Review on the British Society of the Early Victorian Era
2.2.1 Governmental and Political Condition
The parliament was ruled mostly by the high class. They ruled the government and created laws that must be obeyed by others. One of the requirements for being a Member of Parliament is the ownership of the land, as George King said “Ownership of the land was an eligibility requirement for the member of Parliament” (qtd. from the New Encyclopedia Britannica Volume 3 261). Therefore, people from lower class society did not have rights in the Parliament.
There are two major groups that existed in that period, Chartism and the middle class Anti-Corn Laws League. The Chartism was aimed at parliamentary reform, containing six points: annual parliament, universal male suffrage, the ballot, no property qualifications for the members of Parliament, payment for members and equal electoral districts. The Chartism was existed because of the grievances of the working class. They were discontent because of bad harvests, industrial unemployment, and high food price that made them hungry.
2.2.2. Economic Condition
Industrial Revolution in the Victorian Era can be translated with the changes in making good from hand labors to substituting machines. The use of machines is increasing since the steam was invented. This condition forces the changes from the agrarian society into industrial society. The labors did not have any jobs anymore since the machines can handle their works. Therefore, wages are extremely low because using machines are considered less expensive. The working hours are also very long, almost fourteen hours a day. The women and the children are also hired. The industrial revolution also makes the cities where the factories built, becomes slums and crowded. Snyder and Martin say that “The Industrial Revolution which had begun during the later part of the 18th century, reached its climax just before Victoria came to throne” (311). The development of machinery had brought many workers to the starvation because businessmen considered buying machines and building factories more profitable. The government policy oflaissez-faire, or keeping hands off a man’s private business, permitted each businessman to have a law that was created by him to use women and children as workers and force them to work as hard as they could. At the same time ‘the fencing off, or enclosing on the valid plea of improving agriculture made the villagers hurt while the land owners happy” (Snyder and Martin 311).
had no chance to make a better life. Betsky says that the aristocrats or high class society and middle class society were the people who obtained the benefits from this economic revolution in England.
2.2.3. Social Condition
Generally, there are three social classes that occur in the Victorian Era, namely high class society, middle class society, and lower class or working class society. Each social class has its own characteristics.
2.2.3.1. High-Class Society
2.2.3.2. Middle-Class Society
The middle classes were much larger groups and much less wealthy than the lower class. They were composed mostly of the most successful business families, such as those who worked in the industry, banking, and large commerce. These middle class families were the main beneficiaries of modern industry and scientific progress. They had a number of servants as an indication of wealth and they spent food mostly since a dinner party was this class’ favorite social occasion. They also had big interest in education by sending their children to better advanced education. People from the middle class pretended to be good in the society. The middle class consisted of independent shopkeepers, small traders, and manufacturers (McKay, Hill, and Buckler 847).
2.2.3.3. Lower-Class or Working-Class Society
The lower class society, or often called working class society, was the people whose livelihoods depended on physical labor and who had low levels of living and education. They lived in slums, and they are not appropriately dressed. Their characterizations were lack of properties and dependence on wages. These conditions were associated with low levels of living and education, restricted opportunities for leisure and cultural activities, and exclusion from the spheres of important decision making (The New Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. XVI 949).
2.2.4. Moral Values
notorious. Drunkenness disgraces the large town. Yet they tried. There was a famous maxim at that era said “honesty is the best policy”. Especially in business world, this statement was strongly remembered. A merchant or an industrialist established his reputation by gaining reliability of others rather than sharp trading. A bankruptcy was a horror for businessmen, since “bankruptcy was regarded not merely as financial but as a moral disgrace” (Arnstein 76-7).
Victorian remained as “old-fashioned” when referring to attitudes toward sex. It was taboo at that time to talk about sex. Ideally sex was never to be referred to in conversation or in print. ”The reproduction of the species became the only acceptable justification for sexual activity” (Arnstein 78). The Victorian family was a patriarchal family, meaning that although a wife was not equal with a husband, but she was fully responsible in taking care of her children. Divorce equaled with bankruptcy can be a source of social disgrace.
2.3. Criticism
This criticism was written by Pat Rogers, a professor of Liberal Arts at the University of South Florida. He wrote the introductory part and edited Vanity Fair, where this criticism was taken from. He started with commenting the title. It referred to John Bunyan’s picture of the world as a crowded market place of temptation. Originally entitle with Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero, its subtitle also served as another provoking endless interpretation.
The position of a hero is replaced with a heroine. So, it is a novel about a heroine, not a hero. The plot revolves around Amelia and Becky. Rogers also quoted in Chapter 30, “if this is a novel without a hero, at least let us claim to a heroine”, to show that it was Becky that acted like a heroine while she helped her husband calmly preparing his leaving for battlefield.
According to Rogers in his introduction to Vanity Fair, there are some questions concerning the plot of Vanity Fair. On the other hand, the book’s characterization is praised in many ways. One character that is considered successful in achieving the readers’ attention is Becky Sharp. “There can be few readers who would fail to recognize the triumph which is Becky Sharp” (xxvii). Rogers describes that Thackeray depicts Becky’s character with persuasive consistency.
Thackeray knows that Becky is a heartless, self-centered and evil woman, and spares no pains to make sure that we are aware of this. But she is also admirable in more limited ways, on account of her courage, independence, and clear-headed realism (xxvii).
Thackeray’s satires. Thackeray uses her both as the butt of the satire and as the tool to show his satire.
Another critic is Seymour Betsky, a Fulbright professor of English, University of Utrecht. Though Thackeray is not the first novelist who writes the novel about the struggle of middle class or the gross behavior of upper class, Betsky says that he is the first novelist who really hates rank and privilege, and shows it in his characters.
But he is the first novelist who, hating rank and privilege in his bones, skins bull-dog teeth into every single abuse of rank and privilege: self-defeating miserliness in a Sir Pitt Crawley; in Rawdon Crawley the prodigality of bloods and dandies; the mediocrity of mind and talents that govern the great nation with a growing empire, exemplified in Mr. Pitt Crawley; extreme brutality in Lord Steyne, trading on its prerogatives. Betsky also says that the weapon of Vanity Fair that attracts the readers is Thackeray’s satires. It is a satirical novel. Thackeray shows that there are many moral inequalities in Vanity Fair, but he also predicts that there is no radical change to reform those.
2.4. Theoretical Framework
reveal the characterization of the characters. This theory provides the definition and techniques of characterization. Though not all, these techniques can be used to discover the characterization of the characters. Theory of critical approaches is used to determine the most appropriate approach in analyzing and interpreting the novel.
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
There are three parts that are discussed in this chapter, namely: the subject matter, the approach of the study, and the method of the study. Subject matter of the study describes the novel that is going to be studied and a brief summary on what the story is about. Approach of the study gives information about the approach employed in this study. Method of the study explains what kind of research that is used in this study, what sources are used, and steps taken in analyzing the novel.
3.1. Subject Matter
Vanity Fair told about the story of two best friends. Becky Sharp, the penniless orphaned of an artist and a French opera dancer, and Amelia Sedley, the sheltered child of a city Merchant. The two have been educated at Miss Pinkerton’s academy. Becky having failed to attract Amelia’s brother, Jos Sedley, became a governess to the children of Sir Pitt Crawley. She becomes a favorite of Miss Crawley, Sir Pitt’s rich spinster sister. When Becky confessed that she had married with Rawdon Crawley, Sir Pitt’s youngest son, the young couple abruptly fell from favor with Miss Crawley. They had to live without Miss Crawley’s financial help and dependent on Becky’s wits.
Meanwhile, Amelia’s father had lost all his money and her engagement with George Osborne had been broken off by George’s father, John Osborne. John did not want his son to marry a poor woman from lower class. However, the two were married without the permission of John Osborne.
Amelia and Becky accompanied their husband to Belgium for war. Becky and Rawdon are apart after Rawdon discovered his wife with Lord Steyne. Becky led an increasingly disreputable life on the continental. Rawdon who had become a governor of Coventry Island, died of fever (Adapted from The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature 669).
3.2. Approach of the Study
was also a product of a society. This product also revealed the social issues and it would “lead to an ethical judgment concerning the truth of an author’s statements” (Rohrberger and Woods 10). This approach was used because I would like to study the sociocultural-historical aspect of the story as the reflection of the society in the Victorian era, the time when Vanity Fair took place. It helped me to relate the perception of the characters in the novel with the society at that time. Therefore, the appropriate approach for this study was the sociocultural-historical approach.
3.3. Method of the Study
In gathering the data, library research was used. A Library research was selected since most of the data were found in the library. The references were particularly on the used approach, the literary theories, criticisms on the novel, and the information about review on British society of the early Victorian Era.
There were two kinds of sources that were used in this study. They were primary source and secondary sources. The primary source was the novel itself, William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, published by Everyman and edited by Pat Rogers in London 1997.
Woods’ Reading and Writing about Literature, and other books and articles related to the study. The complete lists of sources can be seen in the References section.
CHAPTER 4
ANALYSIS
This chapter contains an analysis to answer the problems. The discussion is divided into two parts, character analysis and satires on British Society. The first section, character analysis of Rebecca Sharp, is an attempt to answer the first problem, how Thackeray describes Rebecca Sharp’s character. In this part, the character of Rebecca Sharp is revealed along with the method of characterization. The second discussion is to answer the second problem, what satires toward British Society that Thackeray tries to expose in Vanity Fair.
4.1. Character Analysis of Rebecca Sharp
“Characterization is an aspect of the novel which Victorians regularly chose to emphasize” (Rogers xxvii). In Vanity Fair, characters play an important role in building the story. One of the many interesting characters is Rebecca Sharp, or often called Becky. Like ordinary people living in reality, Thackeray describes Becky’s characters from two sides, her strengths and her weaknesses. Thackeray constantly compares Becky’s virtues with her vices. Thackeray keeps emphasizing that behind Becky’s positive attitude, she is still an evil woman.
social, physical, and psychological traits. It aims to give more comprehensive analysis. Based on character division, Becky is considered as a round character. Becky’s conducts are difficult to recognize and often confusing. She often plays different roles at different time. To identify Becky’s characters, the nine methods that Murphy proposes are used.
4.1.1 Social Traits
From social point of view, Becky belongs to low class society. She is born in a poor family. Her father is a painter while her mother is a French dancer and singer at the Opera. At that time, the status of dancer at the Opera is equal with a prostitute. Her school life in Chiswick Mall has influenced her belief that a poor person from low-class will always be discriminated. She is jealous of the girls in Chiswick Mall, since they are rich, noble, and well-treated. Meanwhile Becky, who thinks that she is much better and cleverer than them, is not respected because she belongs to low-class society. From that moment, she determines herself to do anything to leave poverty behind.
Among the most respected of the names beginning in C, which theCourt Guide contained in the year 18--, was that of Crawley, Sir Pitt, Baronet, Great Gaunt Street, and Queen’s Crawley, Hants. This honourable name had figured constantly also in the parliamentary list for many years, in conjunction with that of a number of other worthy gentlemen who sat in turns for the borough (64).
Becky becomes Mrs. Crawley. This marriage of course elevates Becky’s social status because people recognize her as one of the members of the Crawleys. However, she is not immediately rich. Rawdon’s aunt, Miss Crawley, who always supports his financial, does not give her blessing on the marriage. She stops her financial supports and she even crosses Rawdon’s name out of her heir list.
Becky meets Lord Steyne who helps her not only to present her to the court but also to support her financially. With the help of Lord Steyne, Becky manages herself to be accepted by the London high-class society. This is considered as the best achievement in her life. Her ambition is accomplished. She is rich and accepted by the society. She is invited to many parties and she never misses to attend each of them. She lives glamorously. She literary becomes a member of high class society.
Her turning point comes when Rawdon catches Becky’s affair with Lord Steyne. Though Becky says “I’m innocent, Rawdon” (538), he is already disappointed with his liar wife. Rawdon divorces her. Becky becomes a widow and the custody of her son is given to Lady Jane, Rawdon’s sister in law. Though she still gets little sum of money from Rawdon, Becky’s social status is dramatically decreasing.
and trinkets, a heap of tumble vanities lying in a wreck. Her hair was falling over her shoulders; her gown was torn where Rawdon had wretched the brilliants out of it. She had heard him go downstairs a few minutes after he left her, and the door slamming and closing on him. She knew he would never come back. He was gone forever (539).
Thackeray uses Becky‘s thought and reaction to emphasize her defeat. It is actually her life which is scattered. She sees her own life that she has buildt ever since she left the school ruins in front of her. She knows that Rawdon will never forgive her and her life as a lady is over.
4.1.2. Physical Traits
Becky is described as a beautiful woman. Her face is as fresh as a rose and her complexion is as pale as snow. She often lets her hair curl round her neck that makes her neck more dramatically beautiful (379). Whereas physically she is pictured to have small and slight body, her attractive eyes become her appeal that attracted men.
She was small and slight in person; pale, sandy-haired, and with eyes habitually cast down: when they looked up they were very large, odd, and attractive; so attractive that the Reverend Mr. Crisp, fresh from Oxford, curate to the Vicar of Chiswick, the Reverend Mr. Flowerdew, fell in love with Miss Sharp; being shot dead by a glance of her eyes which was fired all the way across Chiswick Church from the school-pew to the reading-desk (16).
From the above quotation, it can be concluded that little Becky has beautiful eyes. Little Becky is a little bit shy, “eyes habitually cast down”, as she comes of her age; she turns to be a charming and confident woman.
...Mrs. Rawdon Crawley’s debut was, on the contrary, very brilliant. She arrived very late. Her face was radiant; her dress perfection. In the midst of the great persons assembled, and the eye-glasses directed to her, Rebecca seemed to be as cool and collected as when she used to marshal Miss Pinkerton’s little dandies thronged round her (285).
She cleverly attracts people in the party by arriving late. Therefore, when she appears, the crowd will pay attention to her. Though under everyone’s stare, she does not feel awkward or nervous
She came like vivified figure out of the Magasin des Modes – blandly smiling in the most beautiful new clothes and little gloves and boots. Wonderful scarfs, laces, and jewels glittered about her. She had always a new bonnet on: and flowers bloomed perpetually in it: or else magnificent curling ostrich feathers, soft and snowy as camellias (381).
4.1.3. Personality Traits
4.1.3.1. Cunning
As mentioned before, Becky is a beautiful and charming woman. She uses her charms to deceive people. Though she is not rich, Becky always wears expensive jewelry and best dresses. She often gets many gifts from her admirers. General Tufto is one of her admirers. He gives Becky many presents.
... the General, her slave and worshipper, had made her many very handsome presents, in the shape of cashmere shawls bought at the auction of a French general’s lady, and numerous tributes from the jewelers’ shops, all of which betokened her admirer’s taste and wealth (294).
When she thinks that the time has come for her to enter the London Court, she needs somebody to take care of her. She needs someone who can help her finance and her arrival to the court. She knows that she cannot depend on Rawdon anymore because he cannot adapt easily with the society. One day, when Lord Steyne visits the Crawleys for playing cards with Rawdon, Becky asks him to be her “sheepdog” (378). She uses the term sheepdog so Rawdon will not be suspicious. She does not mean that she needs a literary dog. Sheepdog or watchdog means a guardian. Becky needs someone to help and present her to the society. As a return, she will do anything that Lord Steyne asks, even committing adultery.
won’t bark atyou.” And, going into the other drawing-room, she sat down to the piano, and began to sing little French songs in such a charming, thrilling voice that the mollified nobleman speedily followed her into the chamber, and might be seen nodding his head and bowing time over her (380).
When she lives in exile, Becky does not have many friends. Thus, when she finally meets her old friend, Amelia, she is very happy. She really needs a friend. To get Emmy’s heart, she even makes false story about the reason why Rawdon leaves her. She says that she is not guilty and she is as loyal as a wife should be. She tells that Lady Jane, Rawdon’s sister-in-law, has poisoned Rawdon’s mind to take Rawdy, their son. By lying that her beloved son is taken away form her and she is not allowed to see him anymore, Becky wins Amelia’s heart. She knows that Amelia is fragile when it deals with a son. Becky knows that Amelia lost her son once (668-9). They are friends once more. Amelia shares her house with Becky. Becky lives and eats well there. Amelia also allows Becky to use her possessions, such as her carriages, jewelry or dresses. Amelia even tolerates Becky to have parties in her house though she is never really comfortable in a party (684-7).
travel together. Whenever Jos gets away, Becky is always at his side. She eventually controls Jos’ life and money.
4.1.3.2 Clever
Becky is a smart girl. In order to be able to live independently, she learns as much as she can in Chiswick Mall. Music and linguistics are considered important for women at that time, therefore she learns music and linguistics which become her strengths. Through her thoughts, the readers may see that she is already able to plan her own life.
She determined at any rate to get free from the prison in which she found herself, and now began to act for herself, and for the first time to make connected plans for the future.
She took advantage, therefore, of the means of study the place offered her; and as she was a musician and a good linguist, she speedily went through the little course of the study (18).
Then, she makes an agreement with Miss Pinkerton to give her recommendation as a governess of Sir Pitt Crawley’s daughters.
dear Briggs, in all your head).” (147). Miss Crawley assumes that even a woman as smart as Becky has also a romantic feeling. She thinks that Becky must be in love with some apothecary or painters. In fact, Becky has already married with Rawdon Crawley, Sir Pitt’s youngest son. So, when Sir Pitt comes to propose her as a wife, she refuses him.
Rawdon to go to Brussels first. It seems that in London, Rawdon has also many debts. After making arrangement by cheating her landlord to finish her bills, she goes to London to settle another Rawdon’s debts. She makes negotiation with the creditors and she wins the deal in a brilliant way that most of the lawyers of her creditors compliment her (362-70).
She is also witty. Though they have not known each other for long time, Mr. Sedley recognized Becky as a humorous girl. On one dinner, when Becky is invited to the Sedleys, she demonstrates it by answering Joseph’s joke on pepper and chili.
Old Sedley began to laugh, and thought Rebecca was a good-humoured girl. Joseph simply said – “Cream-tarts, Miss? Our cream is very bad in Bengal. We generally use goats’ milk; and ‘gad go you know, I’ve got to prefer it!” (27-8)
Miss Crawley also praises her good humor. Becky makes her laugh often by mimicking other people’s behaviors. Miss Crawley enjoys that and in fact she becomes Becky’s adorer. Becky, who is only a governess, the same position as a maid, is welcomed to dine together in the dining table with the Crawleys. “Becky Sharp! Miss Sharp! Come and sit by me and amuse me; and let Sir Huddleston sit by Lady Wapshot.” (103). Indeed, it is Miss Crawley who invites her. If Miss Crawley says something, it becomes everybody’s order because everybody wants to be her heir.
4.1.3.3 Independent
Miss Pinkerton, the principal, to be a trainee teacher of French in Chiswick Mall. Rebecca was seventeen when she came to Chiswick, and was bound over as an articled pupil; her duties to talk French, as we have seen; and her privileges to live cost free, and, with a few guineas a year, to gather scarps of knowledge form the professors who attended the school (16).
Becky is not afraid to confront Miss Pinkerton when she disagrees with her. Once, the principal hears her practicing piano after the school is over. She plays very well. Miss Pinkerton asks her to teach playing piano to the students, but she refuses it. She does not agree with Miss Pinkerton because she knows that Miss Pinkerton only takes advantage of her. She has a quarrel with Miss Pinkerton over this.
“I am here to speak French with the children,” Rebecca said abruptly, “not to teach them music, and save money for you. Give me money, and I will teach them.”
“A viper - fiddlestick,” said Miss Sharp to the old lady, almost fainting with astonishment. “You took me because I was useful. There is no question of gratitude between us. I hate this place, and want to leave it. I will do nothing here but what I am obliged to do.” (18)
From her speech above, we can see that Becky has courage to face Miss Pinkerton when she disagrees with her, though Becky knows that Miss Pinkerton is the principle of Chiswick Mall.
As an orphan, she knows that she does not have any parents to support her. Since her father’s death, she has to be able to fulfill her needs. When it comes to find a husband, she really hopes that she has a mother to arrange her marriage.
All she wanted was the proposal, and ah! How Rebecca now felt the want of a mother! –a dear, tender mother, who have managed the business in ten minutes, and, in the course of a little delicate confidential conversation, would have extracted the interesting avowal from the bashful lips of a young man! (54).
In the end, she knows that she does not have a mother. She is completely aware that she needs to rely on nobody. She says “I must be my own mamma” (87). Then, she continues her adventure in finding a husband.
In Brussels, she is left alone because Rawdon has to go to waterloo war. She is not afraid to be left alone. While Jos runs away for his safety, she keeps calm when she hears that British has defeated in the war. It is seen from the conversation when Becky confronts Jos’ flight.
“What, you fly?” said Rebecca, with a laugh. “I thought you were the champion of all the ladies, Mr. Sedley.”
“I – I’m not a military man,” gasped he.
“And Amelia? – Who is to protect that poor little sister of yours?” asked Rebecca. “You surely would not desert her?” (316).
4.1.3.4. Selfish
“It’s my cherub crying for his nurse,” she said. She did not offer to move to go and see the child. “Don’t agitate your feelings by going to look for him,” said Lord Steyne sardonically. “Bah!” replied the other, with sort of blush, “he’ll cry himself to sleep”; and they fell to talking bout the Opera (380).
Becky also neglects her husband, Rawdon. It is Rawdon who stays at home to play with little Rawdon. She often attends a party without Rawdon’s guidance. “How is Mrs. Crawley’s husband?” Lord Steyne used to say to him (380). In the patriarchal society where Rawdon lives, it is considered as shameful thing to be called as one’s husband. He does not have any pride of being Rawdon Crawley. He is not considered as Colonel Crawley anymore. Becky is more well-known than he is.
4.1.3.5 Hypocritical
After her leaving from Amelia’s house, Becky goes to Queen’s Crawley. Along the way to Queen’s Crawley, she immediately counts the money that Mr. Sedley gives her. From Becky’s reaction towards Mr. Sedley’s gift, readers may know that Becky is a hypocrite.
… and as soon as she had taken leave of Amelia, and counted the guineas which good-natured Mr. Sedley had put into a purse for her, and as soon as she had done wiping her eyes with her handkerchief (which operation she concluded the very moment the carriage had turned the corner of the street) … (65).
Becky in Amelia’s house and Becky in the Crawleys’ house is quite different character. With the Sedleys, Becky is considered as an arrogant woman. While with the Crawleys, Becky pretends to be a helpful and obedient woman.
She was quite a different person from the haughty, shy, dissatisfied little girl whom we have known previously, and this change of temper proved great prudence, a sincere desire of amendment, or at nay rate moral courage on her part. A system of hypocrisy; which lasts through whole years, is one seldom satisfactorily practiced by a person of one-and twenty; however, our readers will recollect that, though young in years, but our heroine was old in life and experience (90).
Her speech also shows that Becky is a hypocrite. When she hears that Sir Pitt’s death, she is happy not sad. This is because she hopes that Lady Jane will introduce her to the society and Rawdon will get a position in Parliament. When she is invited to Sir Pitt’s funeral, she pretends to mourn over (420). She says to Lady Jane how grateful she is because she has a husband like Rawdon, and she does not get angry to know that it is Pitt Jr. who gets Miss Crawley’s money. Becky says
“She succeeded in making us poor,” Rebecca said, with an air of angelical patience, “but how can I be angry with a woman who has given me one of the best husbands in the world? And has not her own avarice been sufficiently punished by the ruin of her own hopes, and the loss of the property by which she set so much store? Poor!” she cried. “Dear Lady Jane, what care we for poverty? I am used to it from childhood, and I am often thankful that Miss Crawley’ money ha gone to restore the splendor of the noble old family of which I am so proud to be a member. I am sure Sir Pit will make a much better use of it that Rawdon could” (421).
In fact, she hates Lady Jane and Sir Pitt for being Miss Crawley’s heirs.
The truth is Becky really wishes that she does not have to take Little Rawdon with her. It is only because of Lady Jane’s invitation to see her nephew and Rawdon’s assurance that he will take care of Little Rawdon, Becky lets Little Rawdon go with them to the Queen’s Crawley. Along the journey, Little Rawdon sits outside the carriage with his father. Becky is “inside the vehicle, with her maid and her furs, her wrappers, and her scent-bottles” (450). It is winter at that time. The conversation between Little Rawdon and Lady Jane while the two have dinner shows the evidence. Little Rawdon says “I like to dine here. I dine in the kitchen when I am at home”, replied Rawdon Minor “or else with Briggs” (451). It shows that Becky does not care about Little Rawdon in her home. She orders her son to eat in the kitchen with the servants.
After the custody of her son is given to Lady Jane, she never meets or writes to Little Rawdon. She even forgets that she has a son. Until one day she finds out that Little Rawdon becomes the Crawleys’ heir because Pitt and Lady Jane’s son dies of hoping-cough and measles. She writes him the most affectionate letter and calls him a darling son. Though Little Rawdon replies the letter, he says to Lady Jane “Oh, Aunt Jane, you are my mother, and not – and not that one” (647).
4.1.3.6. Ambitious
everything to get money and elevate her social status. Then, the first step to take is getting a husband. When she is invited to Amelia’s house, she finds out that Amelia’s brother, Jos Sedley, is still a single. So she makes her moves to get Jos’ and the Sedleys’ heart. Her attempt to Jos Sedley does not work. Her failure with Jos Sedley never breaks her heart, instead she directly makes some plans how to conquer the Crawleys. She sets her eyes on Rawson Crawley because she knows that Rawdon is Miss Crawley’s sweet nephew and her most probable heir. She is married with Rawdon, but she is still poor because apparently Miss Crawley does not like the marriage.
She makes friend with Lord Steyne though Rawdon has warned her that Lord Steyne is cunning. Lords Steyne becomes her protector. Becky needs Lord Steyne to support her finance and to present her to high-class society. She is persistent in getting what she wants. She will do anything to be accepted by the society, so when Lord Steyne asks her to send her son to a dormitory school, she obeys him. She sends little Rawdon to Eton even with objection from Rawdon. She also commits adultery with Lord Steyne. When Rawdon is in jail, charged of his debts, she makes a lie letter that she is sick and she cannot help him. She also lies that she does not have any money to pay those debts. It is Lord Steyne himself who sets Rawdon into jail. Rawdon is free because of his sister in law’s help. He goes home and finds Becky and Lord Steyne in his bedroom.
caught sight of Rawdon’s white face. At the next instant she tried a smile, a horrid smile, as if to welcome her husband: and Steyne rose up, grinding his teeth, pale, and with fury in his look (537-8).
Rawdon accidentally catches in the act of her infidelity. She has been a mistress of Lord Steyne, and she gets much money from him, a thousand pound sterling, more than enough to pay Rawdon’s bill. All the rings and the bracelets and the jewelries that she wears to a party are the gifts from Lord Steyne.
From the discussion above, materialistic and social climber are the most prominent character of Becky. Her conducts are aimed to make her rich and elevate her social status. Her ambition, hypocrisy, cleverness, cunning, independence, and selfishness prove it. Then, after finding out that Becky is a materialist and a social climber, the question continues. What kind of society does Thackeray want his readers to know in Vanity Fair? What are the satires and how does Thackeray deliver them in his novel? These questions lead to the next discussion of this chapter.
4.2. Satires on British Society
Becky as a main character is chosen to give description about British society of early Victorian era. Besides describing the society, Thackeray also satirizes the materialism and the importance of social status in British society at that time.
Dealing with the relationship between literature and society in Chapter 2, there is a connection between society and literature. Here, the society where Thackeray lives influences him on expressing his ideas or opinions in Vanity Fair. Seymour Betsky says “Thackeray maintain, …, the conviction that his weapon is satire” (145). Vanity Fair is his satire towards the British society.
In delivering his satires, Thackeray uses two ways, which according to the division of satire by Holman and Harmon called, direct and indirect satires. Thackeray often directly expresses his satires and also uses his characters to show his satires. In this case, Thackeray uses direct satires by directly satirizing Becky, and uses indirect satires by using Becky or other character’s behaviors.
As what Rogers says that
The point about Becky, for Thackeray’s purposes, is that she can be both a target of his satire and its instrument. She embodies much of what is wrong with Vanity Fair, especially its greed and its self-seeking. But, unlike most of the characters, she can always see what the world is like (xxvii).
Thackeray uses Becky as a target of his satire to the society, but at another time, he uses Becky’s point of view to show his satire. The review of British society is also used in this analysis to show the similarity between the society in the novel and the society in which Thackeray lives.
4.2.1. Thackeray Satirizes British Society is Materialistic
Thackeray satirizes British society through Becky’s ambition. It is stated in previous discussion that Becky is an ambitious woman. She persistently pursues and does whatever it takes to be rich. While she is in Chiswick Mall, she suffers discrimination from people there. She is discriminated because she is not a rich and noble girl like any girl who study in Chiswick Mall. While other girls sleep in their comfortable and warm bedroom, she sleeps in the garret. She is jealous of them for being loved by everybody.
The happiness – the superior advantages of the young women round about her, gave Rebecca inexpressible pangs of envy. “What airs that girl gives herself, because she is an Earl’s grand-daughter” she said one. How they cringe and bow to that Creole, because of her hundred thousand pounds! I am a thousand pounds cleverer and more charming than that creature, for all her wealth. I am as well-bred as the Earl’s grand-daughter, for all her fine pedigree; and yet everyone passes me by here. And yet when I was in my father’s, did not the men give up their gayest balls and parties in order to pass the evening with me?” She determined at any rate to get free from the prison in which she found herself, and now began to act for herself, and for the first time to make connected plans for the future (18).
It is indirect satire when Becky describes her jealousy to the girls in Chiswick Mall. He uses Becky’s thought to satirize that society at that time discriminates the haves and the have-nots. The discrimination shows that the society at that time is materialistic. They are money oriented. Furthermore, it influences Becky. She becomes a materialist, too.
who loves her with all his heart. She also has a healthy and obedient son. She does not care with her family. The only bliss that she gets is when she wears her expensive dresses and jewelry to party.
Becky comes to the conclusion that morality is a matter of money. Thackeray directly satirizes Becky for this thought. He says “And who knows but Rebecca was right in her speculations-and that it was only a question of money and fortune that made the difference between her and an honest woman” (425). She deceives General Tufto to buy her some jewelry. Cunningly, she deceives Lord Steyne to settle her debts. Lord Steyne gives her sum of money that Rawdon never knows. Her hypocrisy does not always help her as a respected and honest woman. Her greed leads her to ruin. It is her own fault that Rawdon catches her affair. If she is willing to spare her one thousand pound that Lord Steyne gave her, Rawdon will come home with her and he will not find Becky and Lord Steyne in her bedroom.
comfortable as possible because they aim at her money. Becky learns from the Crawley brothers’ hypocrisy. So, she also tries to get Miss Crawley’s heart. She cleverly makes jokes to amuse Miss Crawley. She learns that money gives the owner power, even power to make friends. Everybody wants to be Miss Crawley’s friend, or at least her toady. Thackeray employs indirect satire through the Crawley brothers’ and Becky’s behavior. He scorns at them. Besides using the direct satire, Thackeray also directly satirizes the society to emphasize his satire.
Miss Crawley was, in consequence, an object of great respect when she came to Queen’s Crawley, for she had a balance at her banker’s which would have made her beloved anywhere.
What a dignity it gives an old lady, that balance at the banker’s! How tenderly look at her faults if she is a relative (and may every reader have a score of such), what a kind good-natured old creature we find her! (86-7).
4.2.2. Thackeray Satirizes the Importance of Social Status
Rawdon and Lord Steyne. Parents when it comes to find a spouse for their daughter, show the same efforts as their daughter.
What causes respectable parents to take up their carpets, set their houses topsy-turvy, and spend a fifth of their year’s income in ball supper and iced champagne? Is it sheer love of their species, and an unadulterated wish to see young people happy and dancing? Psha! They want to marry their daughters, … (24).
Miss Crawley does not bless her marriage. She is only a governess. It pictures that the marriage with different social status is still not accepted by the society. Becky and Rawdon are exiled by the Crawleys. They also get difficulty in mingling with the society. Her status as a governess and her mother who was an opera girl follow her. A governess and a gambler are not people whom get respect. Still, she attends every party to keep her exist among the society.
Becky’s ambition to be accepted as a member of high class society is another example of Thackeray’s satire. She does everything to elevate her social status. She pretends that she loves her son so that she can get Lady Jane’s help to support her to the Court. She cleverly deceives Lord Steyne to help presenting her to the court. Lord Steyne is an important person that can help her realizing her dream.
he asks them to buy something. With his entire terrible manner, but people still respect him as a noble. This is because he carries one of the most respected names in England. Direct satire is also found when Thackeray comments on Sir Pitt.
Vanity Fair – Vanity Fair! Here was a man, who could not spell and did not care to read – who had the habits and the cunning of a boor: …, and yet he had a rank, and honours, and power, and somehow: and was a dignitary of the land, and a pillar of a state. He was high sheriff, and rode in a golden coach. Great ministers and statesmen courted him; and in Vanity Fair he had a higher place than the most brilliant genius spotless virtue (85).
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
This study is closed by the conclusion. This part is divided into two parts, conclusions and suggestions. The first part is the conclusion of the study. It sums up the analysis on the two problems of this study. The second part is the suggestion. This part discusses the recommendations for future research on the topic, as well as suggestions on how to apply Vanity Fair to teaching.
5.1. Conclusions
Having analyzed Vanity Fair in the previous chapter, it comes to the conclusion part. There are two problems that are discussed in this study, how Thackeray describes Becky’s character and how Thackeray satirizes British Society using Becky’s character.
anything, even her family, to achieve her goal. Therefore, it can be concluded that Becky is both materialistic and a social climber. She does everything it takes to get her ambition; to be rich and to elevate her social status.
He also satirizes Sir Pitt to show the importance of ascribed status than achieved status.
5.2. Suggestions
This part is divided into two parts, the first is the suggestion for future researchers, and the second is the suggestion for teaching implementation.
5.2.1. The Suggestion to Future Researchers
Vanity Fair is an interesting novel that has many other aspects that are worth to analyze. This novel has many interesting characters. There are many minor characters that influence Becky’s character. This can be another subject to analyze. Besides Rebecca Sharp, Thackeray tells the story through another main character, Amelia Sedley. Amelia provides the readers with the story of her never-ending love. Her struggle to keep her love makes her life suffer. The meaning of love for Amelia is also worth to analyze. Thackeray constantly compares the story between the two. It is interesting to know the importance of telling the story between them from Thackeray’s point of view. Since this study uses the sociocultural-historical approach, the future researchers may use the psychological aspects to explore the characters in Vanity Fair.
5.2.2. Suggestion for Teaching Learning Activities
does not care much about her family. She also tends to be more powerful than her husband. This can be an interesting topic to discuss in the classroom; therefore, excerpts of Vanity Fair are chosen to teach speaking.
The Implementation in Teaching Speaking
One of the obstacles to encourage the students to speak is the large size of the class. Therefore, group discussion provides many opportunities for the students to speak in the target language because the discussion is conducted in small group and the teacher does not take significant role in the proceeding. There are many activities that can be implemented in speaking class, such as dialogue, discussions, story telling, interview, role-play, presentation, and even debate. The following activity is discussing about the group discussion. There are three stages in the implementation of group discussion in class, pre-discussion, discussions, and post-discussion. In pre-discussion, the students are divided into groups. Identifying and organizing the topic are also done in this stage. In the discussion stage, the students discuss their topic while partner groups observe and give feedback. In the Post-discussion, the students are concluded their discussion and report it in front of the class. (Green and Lam 226-31). This kind of activity also provides the students with opportunities to improve their critical thinking and also their speaking proficiency.
These following suggestions can be used as an example of the procedure in teaching learning activities. The meeting will be conducted in 100 minutes.
