Abstract
William Makepeace Thackeray is an outstanding critical writer in England in the 19th century who enjoys equal popularity with Charles Dickens. And Vanity Fair has been generally regarded as his masterpiece. It reflects the fates of two contrasting but inter-linked lives, through two women characters—Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley. In the novel Thackeray examines the position and role of women in a money-oriented and status-conscious male world and attacks a corrupted, hypocritical society which advocates the Victorian virtues of marriage and family.
This thesis emphasizes the analysis of two heroines, through which to read this book anew. The author firstly analyzes the background of Thackeray and introdeces his life and work, and the social background of that time, especially the woman’s position to understand the writing background. Secondly, the author analyzes the wrting aim of Vanity Fair i.e. widely exposes and sharply criticizes the wheeling and dealing, and greed for fame and wealth of people in the Britain of 19th century under capitalism through its theme and perspective. Thirdly, the author reviews this novel and makes brief analysis in terms of its artistic achievement. In the end, the author penetrates deeply these two heroines by comparison of their different backgrounds, characters, views of love, and results.
Keywords: fates, position, role
Contents
Abstract 1
中文摘要 1
Introduction 2
I The background of William Makepeace Thackeray 2
1.1 Thackeray’s life and works 2
1.2 Social background 4
1.2.1 Chartist Movement and Chartist literature 4
1.2.2 Woman’s position in society 5
1.3 Writing style 6
II Introduction to Vanity Fair 7
2.1 The theme and perspective of Vanity Fair 7
2.2 Literature review on Vanity Fair 8
III Analysis of Becky and Amelia in Vanity Fair 8
3.1 The different backgrounds of Becky and Amelia 8
3.2 Differences in character between Amelia and Becky 9
3.3 Views of love between Amelia and Becky 10
3.4 Different Results 11
Conclusion 11
Bibliography 11
