46
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. Her selfishness shows that Becky cannot find happiness except in
possessing money and attending parties that she can wear her beautiful trinkets and dresses. She has already had a loving family. She has a handsome husband
47 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. Another point about materialism is shown through Miss Crawley
character. Sir Pitt and Mr. Bute Crawley are not very friendly to each other, though they are brothers. When Mr. Bute preaches, Sir Pitt will answer it with
snoring. On the other hand, Mr. Bute does not like Sir Pitt’s conducts that rather not appropriate as a Baronet. When Miss Crawley comes to visit Queen’s
Crawley, they are quite loving and respecting at each other. Becky says in her letter to Amelia “What a charming reconciler and peace-making money is” 98.
They do not want to show their dispute in front of their sister because Miss Crawley does want to hear any quarrel. Each of them tries to make her as
48 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
As we know that Becky is a social climber. She marries Rawdon to elevate her social status. Thackeray directly satirizes that marriage is affected to one’s
social status. When Becky is in trial to get a husband, Thackeray says that “… women are commonly not satisfied until they have husbands and children on
whom they may centre affection…” 37. For Becky, marriage is a tool to elevate her social status. Thackeray also satirizes the society’s perception on marriage and
the role of mother as a matchmaker. Thackeray says that women will work hard to get a husband. They are willing to dance until five in the morning. They labor
themselves in expensive lessons to master some pianoforte sonatas or some beautiful songs in a hope they can “bring down some ‘desirable’ young man”
24. Even Becky uses her talents in singing and playing piano when she attracts PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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