Abstract: Vanity Fair written by William Makepeace Thackeray is generally recognized as his masterpiece, through which he established his important position in the history of English literature. This paper discusses the four major figures of speech in this classic. First, it examines the effects of satire through use of names and humorous situations. Second, it discusses irony in narration and characterization. Third, it explores how metaphor is used to build up characters. Finally, illustrates how contrasts perfect the structure of the novel. By analyzing the effects of four main figures of speech employed in the novel, the paper is intended to help readers appreciate this great novel.
Key words: Vanity Fair, satire, irony, metaphor, contrast
