Vanity Fair Margarette Connor British Novel into Film

Vanity Fair Margarette Connor British Novel into Film Fu Jen Catholic University English Dept

Biblical allusion n “Ah! Vanitas Vanitatum! Which of us is happy in this world? Which of us has his desire? or, having it, is satisfied? "

Credits n n Unless otherwise noted, all illustrations come from Prof Melani’s course pages to be found starting at http: //academic. brooklyn. cuny. edu/english/m elani/novel_19 c/booksyll. html

An early illustration of Dobbin

The Narrator n Thackeray's drawing of himself holding a mask and a fool's scepter is relevant to the discussion of the narrator: is Thackeray to be equated with the narrator and the narrator's views, or is Thackeray the deliberate creator of a persona whom we call the narrator? Does the mask suggest the possibility of changing guises or identities?

Becky fishes n Becky is angling for a fat fish, Jos. There is irony in the fact that Jos, who distinguishes himself by how much he eats and drinks, is himself in danger of being caught and eaten by Becky. Continuing the fish metaphor, Mr. Sedley tells his wife, "But mark my words, the first woman who fishes for him, hooks him" (43). Besides flattering Jos with references to his knowledge of foods, Becky lures Jos by knitting a green purse, the purse symbolizing money and the green perhaps suggesting Becky's envy of the Sedley's affluence; she shyly implies that she is making it for him. Though Becky is in a natural setting in the drawing, Thackeray's emphasis on society is maintained by the buildings in the background.

Young Becky n Some drawings are less flattering to Becky than the text is. The drawing which most affects our view of Becky represents Becky as Clytemnestra at the end of the book. The point I am making can readily be seen in the drawing of Becky using the dolls as puppets to mimic Miss Pinkerton and her sister. Note Becky's malicious expression. The posture and dress of the men is somewhat disreputable. Does the picture also suggest why, as an adult, she gets along so well with men? why the Bohemian life appeals to her? and why she enjoys being with people?

Amelia

Amelia’s good points n Love, for Thackeray, has a redemptive power. In a letter to his mother, he wrote of Amelia, "But she has at present a quality above most people whizz; LOVE–by wh she shall be saved. Save me save me too O my God and Father, cleanse my heart and teach me my duty. "

Clytemnestra n Becky first appears as Clytemnestra in the charades at Lord Steyne's party. In her first appearance as Clytemnestra, she is demure and innocent, modestly looking down while holding a knife, seemingly under the protection of her husband, who towers over her. (Melani)

Who is Clytemnestra? Clytemnestra, left. On right, Clytemnestra killing Cassandra, her husband’s concubine. Source: http: //www. utexas. edu/courses/larrymyth/images/oresteia/EGClytemnestra-Collier. jpg

The other Clytemnestra n You can find the illustration of Becky’s second appearance as Clytemnestra at http: //academic. brooklyn. cuny. edu/english/m elani/novel_19 c/thackeray/ch 5267_files/frame. htm

All of the illustrations n You can find copies of all of the illustrations Thackeray did for Vanity Fair at http: //academic. brooklyn. cuny. edu/english/m elani/novel_19 c/thackeray/illustrations. html