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A&E Original Movie

Vanity Fair: Part 6

Overview:

Vanity Fair, a Novel without a Hero, by William Makepeace Thackeray, is a novel of English society in the early 1800s set during the Battle of Waterloo. Published in serial form in 1848, Thackeray poked fun at the vanity of man; most of the novel’s characters are pompous people who are motivated by greed; humility is in short supply. The novel follows the lives of two women, Becky Sharp and Amelia (Emmy) Sedley. Becky and Emmy are in marked contrast throughout the novel. Becky is destined to become a governess, but she is clever and schemes her way out of her humble beginnings. In Becky, Thackeray has created one of the most bold and determined female characters in an early Victorian novel.

History:

The year is 1815. Napoleon, Emperor of France from 1804-1815, escapes from his banishment on the island of Elba, and rebuilds his army (Tape 2, VIS CODE 45:00). The Battle of Waterloo is imminent. Thackeray’s characters Rawdon, George, and Dobbin prepare to leave for battle from Brussels, where the English army awaits marching orders. The Battle of Waterloo was fought in a village south of Brussels on June 18, 1815. At Waterloo Napoleon received a crushing blow from the Allies (British, Dutch, German, and Prussian troops), who were led by Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. The Allies lost about 22,000 men and the French about 37,000. The word “waterloo” has come to mean a disastrous or crushing defeat. The French never regained the power they once enjoyed under Napoleon. The English king during this time was George IV. Queen Victoria, queen when Thackeray wrote Vanity Fair, gained the throne in 1837 and ruled for 64 years.

National Standards:

1. History (Era 7, Standard 32) – Students will gain a general understanding of early 19th century life in England (country estates, seaside resorts, and London). Events leading up to the Battle of Waterloo are illustrated, including the pageant-like preparations of the English in Brussels; the Battle itself is shown in colorful montages.

2. Geography (Standard 2) – The following places figure in the film: London, England; Brighton, England; Brussels, Belgium; Waterloo, Belgium; India; Coventry Islands.

3. Language Arts (Standard 9 & 10) - William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, a Novel without a Hero, (1848), is a captivating story of English society during the Napoleonic Wars. The novel was published in monthly parts, 1847-48. It is considered a masterpiece, peopled with characters from all walks of life – kings, rogues, swindlers, gamblers, ladies, officers, and gentlemen – hence the novel’s title, Vanity Fair.

Vocabulary

Discussion Questions

1. VIS CODE 2:00 – 5:30 - Rawdon’s manhood has been threatened by Steyne, and he wants to challenge him to a duel. Explain duels. (Duels were fought between gentlemen using pistols when one’s manhood is threatened by another. Slander or infidelity are two of the reasons to duel.)
2. VIS CODE 10:00 – 12:00 - Why does Steyne’s man Wenham invent a story about he and his wife dining with Steyne and Becky? (Because Rawdon has a reputation as a marksman, and Steyne knows that if he duels with Rawdon, he will probably die. Wenham invents the story in order to give Steyne a gracious way out of this prickly situation. Macmurdo is willing to accept the story because he knows that killing a Marquis is tricky business.)
3. VIS CODE 22:40 – Emmy suddenly realizes it was Dobbin not George who bought her piano for her. What is her reaction? (She is heartbroken that one of her fondest memories of George is shattered. Dobbin hopes she will soften towards him, but Emmy is too overwrought to think of anyone but herself and her own sorrows.)
4. VIS CODE 36:00 – When Becky sees Lord Steyne in Bad Pumpernickel, Germany, she believes she will soon be invited to the top tables in Europe. She is, however, badly mistaken. Why does Steyne force her to leave? (His dalliance with Becky has made him a laughing stock. He holds a deep grudge against Becky.)
5. VIS CODE 39:00 – 45:00 – Although Joseph and Emmy believe Becky’s lies, Dobbin does not. He disapproves of Becky and tells her so. Dobbin and Emmy argue, and Dobbin leaves, saying, “I think I knew all along that the prize I’d set my life on wasn’t worth the winning.” Thackery writes “She didn’t wish to marry him, but she wished to keep him. She wished to give him nothing, but that he should give her all. It is a bargain not infrequently levied in love.” Explain this scene. (Dobbin’s prize is Emmy, but she is not worth winning for she is a fool. She honors George’s memory as if he was a saint when in fact he was a philanderer. Emmy enjoys the attentions she receives from Dobbin, but she does not want to trouble herself by giving him real affection.)
6. VIS CODE 48:00 – Becky hands Emmy the note George wrote her asking her to run away with him. Why does she give it to Emmy? (Becky suddenly has a change of heart. She knows that Emmy will lose Dobbin if she does not wake up from her silly dream of George, the perfect husband. Becky speaks honestly with Emmy, calling George “a preening booby.” This is Becky’s sole selfless act.)
7. VIS CODE 51:00 – As Dobbin and Emmy walk away, Becky murmurs “Cling to your rugged oak, and grow green again, you little parasite!” Explain. (Becky knows that Emmy needs someone to take care of her. By marrying Dobbin, a strong oak of a man, she will able flourish. Becky has gained a conscience (at least temporarily) and is glad to have been able to help someone other than herself.)

Extended Activities

1. Find the following places on a map: England; London, England; the Coventry Islands; India; Germany.
2. Research the relationship and history between Britain and India.
3. Research the Battle of Waterloo.
4. 4. Thackery wrote Vanity Fair in installments that were printed monthly. This was common practice in the 19th century. Research this process. Name other Victorian novelists and books that were serialized.
5. 5. When Pitt inherits Queen’s Crawley, he becomes a Baronet and is entitled to a seat in Parliament. Research the English Parliament.