Materialism and social status : thackeray`s satire on british society of the early victorian era through rebecca sharp character in vanity fair.

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.

The result of the analysis shows that Rebecca Sharp is described as a beautiful, charming, independent, hypocritical, selfish and ambitious person who comes from low-class society and tries to make her way to be accepted in the high-class society. Based on Becky’s characteristics, it can be drawn that first, Thackeray attempts to satirize British society as a materialistic society. He shows his satire using Becky’s cunning, selfishness, and ambition, along with the influence of society on Becky’s materialism. Second, Thackeray satirizes the importance of social status in British society. He shows his satire through Becky’s marriage that is not based on love, but on her wish to elevate her social status.

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.

Hasil dari analisis menunjukan bahwa Rebbeca Sharp dideskripsikan sebagai orang yang cantik, menarik, mandiri, munafik, egois, dan ambisius yang berasal dari masyarakat kelas bawah yang miskin dan mencoba mencari cara untuk diterima oleh masyarakat kelas atas. Berdasarkan dari karakteristik Rebecca Sharp, dapat disimpulkan bahwa Thackeray mencoba untuk pertama, menyindir masyarakat Inggris sebagai masyarakat yang materialistik yang mementingkan status sosial. Thackeray menunjukan sindirannya melalui karakter Becky yang licik, egois, dan ambisius. Kedua, Thackeray menyindir pentingnya status sosial dalam masyrakat Inggris. Dia menunjukan sindirannya melalaui perkawinan Becky yang tidak dilandaskan oleh cinta, tetapi oleh keinginannya untuk meningkatkan status sosialnya.

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

This thesis is dedicated to my family, to my friends, and to my self.

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.

Big thanks to my Ndul, Handy Inderata, for opening up my eyes to the world that I had never seen before. Through laughter and cry, I thank him for those unforgettable moments that have been coloring my life. All those support, faith, happiness, hope and love that he gives have shaped me as who I am. My

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.

The result of the analysis shows that Rebecca Sharp is described as a beautiful, charming, independent, hypocritical, selfish and ambitious person who comes from low-class society and tries to make her way to be accepted in the high-class society. Based on Becky’s characteristics, it can be drawn that first, Thackeray attempts to satirize British society as a materialistic society. He shows his satire using Becky’s cunning, selfishness, and ambition, along with the influence of society on Becky’s materialism. Second, Thackeray satirizes the importance of social status in British society. He shows his satire through Becky’s marriage that is not based on love, but on her wish to elevate her social status.

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.

Hasil dari analisis menunjukan bahwa Rebbeca Sharp dideskripsikan sebagai orang yang cantik, menarik, mandiri, munafik, egois, dan ambisius yang berasal dari masyarakat kelas bawah yang miskin dan mencoba mencari cara untuk diterima oleh masyarakat kelas atas. Berdasarkan dari karakteristik Rebecca Sharp, dapat disimpulkan bahwa Thackeray mencoba untuk pertama, menyindir masyarakat Inggris sebagai masyarakat yang materialistik yang mementingkan status sosial. Thackeray menunjukan sindirannya melalui karakter Becky yang licik, egois, dan ambisius. Kedua, Thackeray menyindir pentingnya status sosial dalam masyrakat Inggris. Dia menunjukan sindirannya melalaui perkawinan Becky yang tidak dilandaskan oleh cinta, tetapi oleh keinginannya untuk meningkatkan status sosialnya.

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.

Reading novels can give the reader not only pleasure but also knowledge contained in it. By reading adventurous novels of Conrad or Kipling, the readers can “experience” traveling to Far East without spending a penny, and even without moving from your seat (Eagleton 36). Another benefit that is offered from reading novels is that readers can get the picture of the novel’s world, as De

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).

From a social novel, readers can learn about life, about the shape of the society, and conflicts that exist within it. Since the people and the social problems faced by the characters are much alike the readers’, another objective of a novel of this kind is to draw the readers into the experiences vicariously. Consequently, the readers are asked to interpret their own lives because “the fictional and the real are

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.

Money and the importance of one’s status are two topics that are constantly discussed in this novel. Vanity Fair tells about how people are moved by their needs. Understanding how the author satirizes the society’s view on money and social status, and what people can do to achieve them, is also another

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

This study aims to find out how the character of Rebecca Sharp in the novel is described by the author. It also attempts to understand how Thackeray views the British Society of the early Victorian era. Through Becky’s characteristics in the novel, Thackeray expresses his satire toward the society.

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 first word is materialism. The term materialism that is used in this study signifies an ethical attitude. A person is called a materialist, in this sense, if “he is interested seriously in sensuous pleasure and bodily comforts, and hence in the material possession in bringing these about” (The New encyclopedia Britannica volume 6 612). In this ethical sense, a man might be called a materialist without having to believe the metaphysical theory, and conversely. A materialist, in this study, is a person who considers material possessions, including money and properties, as the most important things.

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.

The third word is society. A society means “a variety of people of different occupations, ages, and natures, living in a way that creates a web of

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.

The fourth word is Victorian. The term Victorian in English literary criticism often implies disapproval of certain attitudes; for example, materialism, hypocrisy, insularity, complacency, and censoriousness. While the term Victorian that is related with a certain era, or Victorian Era, means the period during which Queen Victoria ruled Britain from 1837-1903. Abrams used the year 1870 to divide “Early Victorian” from “Late Victorian.” This period is considered as the period of invention, scientific discovery, and changing economic, political, and social ideas (The New encyclopedia Britannica volume 10 422). Both of explanations of the Victorian terms above are used in this study. The first term relates to English literary criticism is used to represent the attitude and the perception of the characters in Vanity Fair. The second term relates to the period or era used to show the time when Vanity Fair takes place.

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

Character, according to Robert Stanton, can be defined into two ways. He says that “it designates the individuals who appear in the story and it refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that makes up each of

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)

The character in the novel, or what E. M. Forster calls as “Homo Fictus” (38) reflects the qualities of ordinary human beings. They are named, given sexes, provided with personalities complete with physical and psychological aspects. The difference is that the characters in the novel, if the author wants to, can be understood completely because their inner and outer life can be exposed (Forster 32). The explanation on how the author describes the inner and outer life of the characters will be explained further in the theory of characterization.

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).

The first way is by personal description. The readers can identify someone’s characters by describing the physical appearance (161). The second is by seeing from other characters. Besides describing a character directly, the author can also describe his character through the eyes and opinions of other characters. The readers can know one’s character by knowing other characters’ opinion and point of view about him or her (162). The third is by speech. Whenever a

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

Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods, Jr. presents that there are five approaches that can be used as a means of observing a novel critically. These approaches are the formalistic approach, the biographical approach, the socio-cultural historical approach, the mythopoeic approach, and the psychological approach (6-15). The first approach is the formalist approach. This approach is concerned with demonstrating the harmonious involvement of all the parts to the whole and with pointing out how meaning is derived from structure and how

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

The Nineteenth century became a period of satire. Most of literary works; such as poetry, drama, essays, novels, and criticisms took on the satirical manner. “Although the Victorian period was not noted for pure satire, the writers; such as Dickens, Thackeray and others produced novels that showed an excellent vehicle for social satire” (The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature 569).

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).

Both Abrams and Holman and Harmon divide satire into two major types; they are formal (direct) satire and indirect satire. In formal (direct) satire, the satiric voice speaks out, usually in the first person, directly to the reader or to a character, or to an object that is being satirized (Holman and Harmon 448). On the other hand, in indirect satire, the satire is expressed through “narratives of the characters or groups who are the butt are ridiculed not by what is said about them, but what they themselves say and do” (Holman and Harmon 448). According to Abrams, the most common indirect form is a fictional narrative. In fictional narrative, “the objects of the satire are characters who make themselves and their opinions ridiculous or obvious by what they think, say, and do, and sometimes

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).

According to Wellek and Warren, the relationship between literature and society may appear in the sociology of the writer, the influence of literature on society, and the social context of the works themselves. The first is the sociology of the writer. It also deals with the writer’s social background, social status, and

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).

The third aspect is the main focus of this thesis. The context of the works also deals with the implications and social purpose of the works. The most common relation between literature and society is that the study of works of literature is considered as social documents and assumed as the pictures of social reality. As a social document, literature can be used to give the outlines of social history. But studies of literature as simply social documents are not enough if critics do not go beyond it. They should know the artistic method of the novelist being studied - in what relation the picture stands to the social reality. Is it realistic by intention? Or is it, at certain points, satire, caricature, or romantic idealization? (Wellek and Warren 102-104). The writer has his own opinion about the social issues in the society where he lives. Though not like a history work, the opinions of the writer about those social issues can be traced in his work of literature.

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.

The second group is the middle class Anti-Corn Laws League. This league was established by the middle class people who disagree with the Corn Law of 1815. The Corn Law was created by the agriculturalists, who were predominant in Parliament, attempted to protect their economy position by raising the prices of grain and rents. The league aimed to repeal the Corn Laws, by doing so, the league believed that it would manage the problems of guaranteeing the livelihood of the poor and securing the prosperity of industry (The New Encyclopedia

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).

The whole system was based on money or the cash-nexus. Both agriculture and industry had become thoroughly dominated. For people who had power, wealth, and position, it was a good opportunity to get richer and richer. On the other hand, those who were lack of properties, and considered as lower class,

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

The high class society or the aristocrats was the richest class that had power upon the economic, politic, military, and intellectual policies. This class had the best houses, food, clothes, education, and entertainment. They went to park or party for entertainment and social activities. Palaces, vast lands, luxurious carriages, and other properties were their possession. They also had many servants to serve them fully. They were considered as having high social status, and it was ascribed from family root. Their children went to high quality school built for high class families only. For children who did not go to school, their parents asked a teacher or a governess to teach them at home (McKay, Hill, and Buckler 846). The areas of their jobs in the society were the Church, government, navy or the army (Encyclopedia Britannica Volume 19 949).

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

Victorians, according to Arnstein, may be generalized as prudery, hypocrisy, and stuffiness. They often failed to be said thrift, seriousness of

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.

It is true that the Victorian has a perfect rule to conduct the life of the society. Unfortunately, the society was deficient in sight and sympathy. Furthermore, it was too easy for the people to degenerate into sins. In fact, there were so may people who broke the social law. It had become a common thing day by day. For on stance, drinking and gambling were kinds of games for some people. The Victorians did these activities to have fun while they were known very well that they were forbidden in this country. People who cared tried to find a way for Victorians who did wrong behaviors to leave the bottle, but this was a very long term solution while the Victorian wanted a prompt and effective answer to this problem.

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).

He shows that Thackeray clearly describes Becky from two sides, virtues and vices. Rogers also says that another interesting point from Becky is his position of

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

There are some theories that are applied in this study. Those theories are used in order to answer the problems. To answer the first problem, the theory of character and the theory of characterization are applied. It is important to know the theory of character because the analysis of this study is also dealing with some characters of the novel. Besides explaining about what is meant by character, this theory also explains that the readers can see the novel’s world through the characters’ eyes. Theory of characterization is employed in this study in order to

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.

To answer the second problem, theory of satire, the relation between society and literature, and review on the British society of the early Victorian era are utilized. Theory of satire gives information about what a satire is, and what the function of satire in a literary work. The relation between society and literature is used to know what is meant by society and the correlation between literature and society. This theory is also used to get proves that readers can really know the perception of the British society in the early Victorian era through the characters of the novel. The review on British society provides the information about the governmental, economic, social condition and moral values at that era. Besides getting better understanding about the society, by knowing this information, the readers can also get the social criticisms that the author tries to express in his 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

The novel that was discussed in this study is called Vanity Fair. It was written by William Makepeace Thackeray in 1847. It took more than a year for him to finish it in monthly parts from January 1847 until July 1848. The novel used in this study was published by Everyman and edited by Pat Rogers in 1997. It is six hundred and ninety nine pages long and divided into sixty seven chapters. Entitled Vanity Fair: a Novel without a Hero, this was considered as one of the best novels that Thackeray ever wrote. Even Charlotte Bronte dedicated her second edition of Jane Eyre to Thackeray, praising him as “the first social regeneration of the day”. Thackeray, who was born in Calcutta, 18 July 1811, wrote several other famous novels, such as Pendennis (1840-1850), Henry Esmond (1852), The Newcomers (1853-1855), The Virginians (1857-1859), The

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

As mentioned in Chapter II, there are five approaches that Rohrberger and Woods offer. Among them, the one to be applied in this study was the sociocultural-historical approach. The main concern of this approach was the attitude and the action of society in which a work was created. A product of art

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.

The secondary sources included the books, articles of related theories, reviews on the British society in the early Victorian Era, and the criticisms on the novel and the author. Some of the main sources that were used are Stanton’s Introduction to Fiction, Henkle’s Reading the Novel, Wellek and Warren’s Theory of Literature, Langlard’s Society in the Novel, Holman and Harmon’s A

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.

Some steps were taken in analyzing the novel. The first step was reading the novel, Vanity Fair as the main source of this study and trying to find out what the story was about. The second step was selecting the interesting topics or the problems that were going to be discussed in this study. In obtaining good understanding of the novel, it needed more than once to read the novel. The third step was reread the novel and watched the movie under the same title, Vanity Fair, to find details that were related to the problems. The fourth step was summarizing and taking notes of the points discussed. The fifth step was collecting the information about the related theories and criticisms to analyze the problem, including choosing the most appropriate approach for this thesis. The sixth step was trying to answer the problems. The last step was concluding the result of the study.

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.

As mentioned in Chapter 2, according to Murphy, characters have the qualities of ordinary human beings. They are named, given sexes, provided with personalities and completed with physical and psychological aspects (38). Therefore, the analysis of Becky’s character will be divided into three parts;

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.

Becky is a truly social climber. She marries Rawdon Crawley, the youngest son of Sir Pitt Crawley, to have a higher social status. Sir Pitt Crawley is a Baronet and a member of parliament. He is considered as one of well respected men on Great Gaunt Street. Rawdon Crawley himself is a Colonel who is in charge of British victory in Waterloo war. The Crawleys’ reputation is unquestionable. It is seen from how Thackeray himself explains about the Crawleys. He employs what Murphy says as the direct comment method.

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.

She remained for hours after he was gone, the sunshine pouring into the room, and Rebecca sitting alone on the bed’s edge. The drawers were all opened and their contents scattered about, - dresses and feathers, scarfs

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.

She lives shabbier than ever now, without money or friends. She used to have many people besides her. Everybody adores her especially men. Now, nobody wants to be with Mrs. Crawley. Even though she has divorced with Rawdon, she still uses her husband’s name to keep her status and dignity. She feels lonely and lives in exiled. From other characters’ reactions, we can see that “Mr. Wenham’s business, Lord Steyne’s business, Rawdon’s, everybody’s – to get her out of the country, and hush up a most disagreeable affair” (647). After her leaving from England, she lives in Boulogne, on the northern coast of French just across from the Channel, where “bankrupts and scapegraces from Britain retired” (747). She lives as a vagrant, refused from one place to another. She really tries to get her life back, but there is always somebody who ruins her effort that even Thackeray himself feels pity on her. He says “Whenever Becky made a little circle for herself with incredible toils and labor, somebody came and swept it down rudely, and she had all her work to begin over again. It was very hard; very hard; lonely and disheartening” (650).

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

Another description of Becky’s figure is taken when she attends a party. All of the guesses are amazed. Her taste in fashion is described as if she is a trendsetter. She always wears her best dress when she goes out to a party.

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.

She rose up from her sofa, and went and took his coffee-cup out of his hand with a little curtsey. “yes”, she said, “I must get a watchdog. But he

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).

Becky also deceives Jos, her old admirer, with the same story. Becky cleverly uses Jos’ old picture that she had. Becky says that she is never apart with the picture and she never forgets him. Jos believes every single of her word. He believes that Becky is really in love with him. Jos is in fact the one who struggle to convince everybody that Becky is a good woman. He often says “I swear to you on the Bible, that she is as innocent as a child” (697). Becky wins his heart. They

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.

In Queen’s Crawley, Miss Crawley praises Becky as a smart woman. Through her conversation with Becky, Miss Crawley says “You, my love, are a little paragon – positively a little jewel – You have more brains than half of the shire – if merit had its reward you ought to be a duchess – “(104). Another quotation is taken from conversation between Miss Crawley and her servant, Miss Briggs. They are talking about Becky’s refusal on Sir Pitt‘s proposal. Miss Crawley says “Well, Becky would have made a good lady Crawley, after all. She has brains in plenty (much more wit in her little finger than you have, my poor

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.

Her marriage with Rawdon is not accepted by the Crawleys, especially Miss Crawley. Miss Crawley does not support Rawdon’s finance anymore. In chapter 36, how to live well on nothing a year, Becky shows her intelligence to survive with small amount of money and to face her debts. Thackeray uses Becky’s reaction and mannerism to show her cleverness. She does not panic when she faces the problems. They live happily and comfortably in Paris. Rawdon has already retired from army at that time, so he earns money from gambling with his friends and he is good at it. Apparently, Rawdon’s friends are tired of playing and losing games with him. Becky then uses her charms to entertain her husband’s friends so that they are comfortable and willing to come back for another game. To support Becky’s passion of parties and glamorous life, they owe many people in both Paris and London. They owe the landlord of the hotel, the shop where Becky often buys bracelets and watches, and even to their son’s sitter. It is only because of her name, Mrs. Crawley, that she can still owe to everybody. Indeed, it is because of the Crawleys’ wealth and high social status that the creditors still respect them. So, when they hear Miss Crawley is dying, Becky, Rawdon, and the creditor as well are so excited that her inheritance will be Rawdon’s. They are planning to get back to London. Instead of going to London directly, Becky asks

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

From her past life, we know that Becky is an orphan from early age. After her father’s death, she has to be able to support herself. Therefore, she is hired by

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.

On the day of her leaving the school, Miss Jemima, Miss Pinkerton’s sister, gives Becky Johnson’s Dixonary, but Becky throws it away in front of Miss Jemima’s feet. She thinks that Johnson’s Dixonary is a reference for women to speak politely. She does not want anything that can remind her of Chiswick Mall. “But, lo! And just as the coach drove off, Miss Sharp put her pale face out of the window and actually flung the book back into garden” (13).

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

Becky is selfish. In order to get what she wants, she does not care about anybody else. She does not care of her son, little Rawdon. All she cares about is her position, her pleasure, and her advancement in society. She attends many parties, leaving behind her little Rawdon who needs her affection. She puts little Rawdon upstairs so he does not disturb the party.

“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).

While she says farewell to the Sedleys, she cries a lot that implies it is the hardest thing to do, to be apart with the Sedleys. She also pretends to refuse Mr. Sedley’s money.

1. After reading the above paragraphs, identify what kind of a mother Becky is. Discuss the answer among the group. Elaborate your answer by quoting sentences from above paragraphs to support your answer.

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 2. Having analyzed the characteristic of a mother from Becky, what do you

think a role of a mother should be? Discuss the answer among the group. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Language Feature that can be used in the Group Discussion Functions Language Used Pronunciation Gestures To prevent

interruption and finish speaking

Please … I must finish …

Voice gets louder and faster

Hold up one page

Helping somebody to begin speaking

I wonder if Amy has an opinion

about this …? What do you think

Amy?

StressAmy; voice rises towards end

of question

Smiling; eyes wide open

Interrupting to disagree

Sorry, but I can’t agree … I disagree with …

Stress the negative Eye contact made with speaker Interrupting to

obtain more information

What do you mean by …?

Stress on uncertain term; voice falls at the

end of question

Leans forward

Supporting the previous speaker

I think Peter made a good point about

…

Stress good Looks at Peter

Not supporting the previous speaker

Unlike Peggy, I think that

StressPeggy Looks around the group for support Adapted form Methodology in Language Teaching, 229

Teacher’s guide for evaluating the students’

contribution

Number of Contribution

Behavior

Student A Student B Student C Student D 1. Total number of

contributions made 2. Responding supportively 3. Responding aggressively 4. Introducing a new

(relevant) point

W. M. Thackeray's Works

Contributions to Punch, 1843-1854

 The Book of Snobs

 Miss Tickletoby's Lectures on English History

 Papers by the Fat Contributor

 The History of the Next French Revolution

 A Little Dinner at Timmins's Fiction

 The Luck of Barry Lyndon, 1844

 Mrs. Perkin's Ball, 1846

 Vanity Fair, 1847

 Pendennis, 1850

 Henry Esmond, 1852

 The Newcomes, 1853-55

 The Virginians, 1857 Criticism and Reviews

 "Laman Blachard" (essay) originally appeared in Fraser's Art Criticism

 Thackeray on Turner's Rain-Steam-Speed

 Thackeray on Turner's The Fighting Temeraire Caricature and Book Illustration

 Thackeray as Illustrator — the complete illustrations to Vanity Fair

 A selection of Thackeray's other drawings

http://www.victorianweb.org/victorian/authors/wmt/works.html APPENDIX 5

Chronology of Thackeray’s life

1811

Born in Calcutta, India, the only son of Richmond Thackeray, an East India Company administrator, and Anne Becher Thackeray, the daughter

of distinguished civil servants in India.

1816 Father dies, and WMT goes to England to live with his aunt, Mrs. Ritchie. His mother soon remarries.

1817 Attends school in Chiswick Mall; is unhappy there.

1822-1828 Attends Charterhouse School at Smithfield. 1828 Stepfather prepares him for entrance to Cambridge.

1829-1830

Enters Trinity College, Cambridge; leaves without a degree; travels on Continent; meets Goethe.

1831-1833

Studies law at Middle Temple, London, but gives it up when he inherits £20,000. Buys the National Standard, a newspaper, and goes to Paris as

its correspondent; it fails.

1834-1835

Studies art in Paris and becomes a caricaturist. Contributes to Fraser's Magazine.

1836

Paris correspondent of stepfather's newspaper, The Constitutional. Marries a penniless Irish girl, Isabella Gethen Creagh Shawe, daughter of

Colonel Matthew Shawe. Speculates and gambles away his inheritance. 1837 Hack writer in London; publishes in The Times, Fraser's Magazine, The

New Monthly Magazine, and Punch.

1840 Thackeray's wife, who survives her husband by three decades, goes insane. His two daughters live with his grandmother in Paris. 1842 Visits Ireland and stays with the novelist Lever.

1843 Publishes The Irish Sketchbook, the first work to appear under his own name.

1844 Travels in Far East

1846

Publishes From Cornhill to Cairo. Establishes a home for his daughters, his grandmother, and himself at 13 Young Street in Kensington. Becomes

emotionally attached to Cambridge friend's wife, Mrs. Henry Brookfield.

1847-1848 Serializes Vanity Fair (published 1848)

1848 Publishes The Book of Snobs, a collection of portraits that appeared in Punch.

1848- Publishes The History of Pendennis. APPENDIX 6

1850

1851 Ends relationship with Mrs. Brookfield at husband's insistence. 1852 Publishes The History of Henry Esmond.

1852-1853

Lecture tour of the United States on "The English Humorists of the 18th Century."

1853-1855 Publishes The Newcomes, a sequel to The History of Pendennis.

1855-1857

Second U. S. lecture tour. Publishes The Rose and the Ring, his Christmas book, and Miscellanies, a four volume-collection of early

writings.

1857-1862

Publishes The Virginians, sequel to Henry Esmond; Publishes The Adventures of Philip on His Way Through the World, the last of his

Arthur Pendennis trilogy; and Publishes Lovel the Widower.

1861-1862 Founds and edits the Cornhill Magazine. 1863

Dies on Christmas Eve in his new home at Palace Gardens of a cerebral hemorrage. Leaves an unfinished novel, Denis Duval. Buried at Kensal

THE CRAWLEYS’ FAMILY TREE

APPENDIX 7

James Rebecca

Sharp Pitt

Crawley Jr.

Rosalind Lady

Jane Lady Crawley

Sir Pitt Crawley

Rose Mr. Bute

Crawley

Mrs. Bute Crawley

Miss Crawley

Violet

Matilda Rawdy

Pitt Binkie

Rawdon Crawley