Vanity Fair summary for the reader's diary. Summary of Thackeray's Vanity Fair

The work “Vanity Fair” is considered a classic today. The author of the work is W. M. Thackeray. You can see a summary of “Vanity Fair” below.

About the book

Talking about the work of W. M. Thackeray “Vanity Fair” in a brief summary, I must say how important it is to read books in the original at least once in my life. The abbreviated text is not able to convey the main thought and intention of the author; it omits quite a lot of, at first glance, very insignificant details. It is worth considering that it is these little things that create any work.

The events outlined in the summary of “Vanity Fair,” as in the original work, begin in the nineteenth century, in England. Napoleon had already started a war, but this did not become an obstacle for people who were waging an endless battle for lands, money, titles and ranks. Life is in full swing at the market of the everyday bustle of life - at the vanity fair. It is at this fair that the fates of the heroes are determined.

Two friends (chapters 1-2)

Let's begin the summary of "Vanity Fair" with a description of the lives of two girls: Rebecca and Emilia. Both young ladies graduate from a boarding house for well-bred girls.

Emilia is the daughter of a very rich and famous Esquire. In the work, the image of the girl became an indicator of English good manners and prettiness. Emilia has established herself as a decent girl who is able to please everyone. She did not know self-interest or envy. She always helped her friends if they asked for help. The only drawback that was observed in the girl was a lack of intelligence.

Rebecca in the work became the complete opposite of Emilia. She is the daughter of an artist and a dancer. Despite the fact that she is very pale and small in stature, she could attract any man with her gaze. Rebecca, who spent her childhood in poverty among “people of art,” was very witty, was not shy about caustic phrases, and could predict any behavior of people. In addition, Becca was ready to do any meanness in order to provide herself with a decent life, in which she would not know poverty and financial difficulties. Rebecca goes through the beginning of her life's journey all alone - she has no friends who could support her in difficult times; she has no loving parents who could teach her virtue; she has neither the means nor the title that could provide a bright future for the girl.

Visiting Emilia (Chapters 2-5)

The next stage of our summary of “Vanity Fair” for the reader’s diary will be a description of Rebecca’s trip to Emilia, because this episode plays an important role in the work.

Emilia became very attached to Becca during her senior year. After the girls receive their boarding school certificates, Emilia invites Becca to stay with her. Rebecca, having decided on her life goals, behaves very decently when visiting, skillfully taking advantage of the hospitality of her hosts. All members of Emilia's family immediately feel sympathy for the girl from a dysfunctional family. Rebecca is trying to win the heart of Emilia's brother Joseph, who is a typical Englishman with a fortune, a title, and a good inheritance. Lazy, disgusting and stupid Joseph falls in love with Becca and is ready to propose marriage to her.

Unfortunately for the girl who decided to arrange her life in this way, the whole thing is ruined by Emilia’s fiancé, George. By chance, Joseph realizes that Rebecca is not the love of his life, and goes on the run, burning with shame for his behavior.

New page (chapters 6-9)

The next stop on the summary of “Vanity Fair” by William Thackeray will be for us a new stage in Rebecca’s life.

She finds a job. It is this moment that marks a new page in the girl’s life. Having got a job with a very influential person, she takes the position of governess. Her employer was not famous for his exploits: throughout the area he is known as a terrible drunkard, a big miser, an overly vulgar and unkempt person. Becca's ability to pretend helps her to endure working for such an estate owner. In addition, it was thanks to her talent for lying and being a hypocrite that Becca was able to win the favor of all the inhabitants of the estate. She took advantage of this. In addition, even the employer’s eldest son, very cold and well-mannered, whom everyone in this house fears, was imbued with a good disposition towards the girl. Time passed, and Rebecca became more and more an indispensable part of this house. A year later, Rebecca became almost a full-fledged mistress, showing herself at her best.

Visit of the estate owner's cousin (chapters 10-13)

Even for the briefest summary of Vanity Fair, the arrival of Mrs. Crowley, the cousin of Rebecca's employer, will have an important role.

Every year Mrs. Crawley visits her brother. This lady is the owner of a huge fortune, an old maid who has dedicated her life to her position in society. Among her acquaintances one can meet very rich Frenchmen, famous representatives of the atheism movement and many other noble people. Despite the fact that Mrs. Crawley is already quite old, she still loves to party, spending her time too much fun for her age.

This lady is distinguished by her disgusting character: she constantly humiliates all the servants, her own companion, and speaks extremely negatively about all relatives who hope to receive at least a small part of the fortune that the old woman has. Coming to visit the owner of the estate where Rebecca lives and works, she openly expresses her negativity about the personality of her cousin and his eldest son. But Mr. Crowley's youngest son, Rawdon, a frivolous guy, a lover of duels and gambling, a dim-witted officer, is simply adored by the old tyrant. Despite the fact that Mrs. Crawley looks down on the world, she, like everyone else in this house, is imbued with respect and sympathy for Rebecca.

Rebecca Gets Married (Chapters 14-20)

Another important event, even in a very brief summary of Vanity Fair, was the marriage of the main character.

Despite the fact that the reader did not expect such a turn of events, Thackeray chooses Rodon as a life partner for his main character. Yes, it is Rodon, the youngest of the sons of the owner of the estate, this frivolous, unmatured, foolish man that Rebecca marries. Their romance lasted for a long time, and it ends due to the illness of old Mrs. Crawley. The woman, having fallen ill, needs help, and because she cannot tolerate her servant, she asks Becca to go with her to London. Rebecca understands that this trip could give her a chance to become an heiress, albeit not a huge one, but a considerable one. However, she doubts it, because then she will have to part with Rodon, who has become a very important character in her life. Rebecca finally decides to leave Crowley's house and go to London. The last days that the lovers spend together push them to take a very serious and reckless step - feeling an imminent separation, the young people decide to get married secretly. They make their desire come true. Knowing that Mrs. Crawley might be very angry because of this behavior, Rebecca carefully hides her marriage, fearing the wrath of her new employer. After Rodon's mother dies, the news of the marriage becomes known to everyone. Not overly worried about his wife's death, Rodon's father tries to bring Becca back to his estate. He throws himself at the girl's feet, begging her to marry him. It was at this moment that the girl loses control and bursts into tears: she could soon become the mistress of an entire estate, but she had to hurry up and marry this obnoxious child!

Hard Times (Chapters 21-22)

This element of the Vanity Fair summary in English would be called hard time.

A difficult time has overtaken a young married couple: everyone is doing nothing but hurling curses at the newlyweds. Rawdon tries to return his aunt's love, but, despite the fact that Becca once won the sympathy of Mrs. Crawley, his nephew fails to do this. Everything leads to another quarrel. Until her death, the aunt will not be able to forgive Rodon for hiding his marriage from her.

And what began to happen to Rodon’s father after Rebecca refused him cannot even be described in words: from his hatred of life, he finally goes crazy, which is why he sinks to the very bottom of the social spectrum. The family nest is saved from complete ruin and desecration of the estate by his death.

A difficult financial situation arises for the spouses: apart from Rodon’s salary, they have no income, and even this is not very large. However, due to her character, Rebecca is able to live in the most difficult conditions, without falling into apathy, but, on the contrary, going through the most difficult times with joy - a talent that has more than once supported the girl in the most critical situations. Going towards her dream of taking one of the highest places in society, the girl is ready to go through a lot. At the same time, Rodon unquestioningly obeys his wife, which makes him happy and calm.

Bankruptcy of Emilia's family (chapters 23-26)

This part of the summary of the book "Vanity Fair" is also important to describe, since it entails a whole series of events.

Because of the war that Napoleon started, many families suffered terrible losses. Emilia’s family was no exception: everything changes so quickly on the stock exchange that the father of a well-mannered girl simply does not have time to do anything to save even a small family income. The family is completely ruined. Among all the family's creditors, Emilia's fiancé turns out to be the most stubborn. Due to the fact that there are not enough funds even for food and maintenance of the house, the belongings of all family members are sold. With the money raised, the family rents a small apartment, which is terrible and squalid from the inside.

Emilia is having a hard time with her surroundings. But the main reason for her worries was not bankruptcy, as a result of which she was left without a dowry, but her love for George - the girl truly loves her fiancé, despite the fact that the generally recognized “vanity fair” dictates its own rules even in love. Emilia, due to her inexperience and childish stupidity, considers George the best of all men, while the second simply accepts the girl’s love without giving anything in return. In addition, George is clearly not going to marry Emilia - youth is in full swing in him, the joys of which he is not going to give up, thereby not giving the girl the slightest hope for a happy marriage for love.

The wedding that took place (chapters 27-28)

After Emilia's family went bankrupt, it turns out that George's father contributed a lot to this. Emilia's father, oppressed by his position, strictly forbids his daughter to marry George, explaining that he will not tolerate such a terrible scoundrel in his son's house. The girl is having a hard time with family quarrels that concern her marriage. Realizing that in this way one can easily lose Emilia’s love, George asks for help from his friend Captain Dobbin, who intervenes in people’s relationships and saves the romance of the young lovers. The worst thing about this is that the captain himself loves Emilia with all his heart for many years, but cannot admit it even to himself. It is Dobbin who manages to persuade George to marry the girl, despite the fact that both families are against this marriage. George understands the consequences of this and marries Emilia anyway. The groom's father completely turns away from his son, leaving him without the slightest chance of even a hundredth part of the inheritance.

Brussels (chapters 29-32)

The description presented in the article is a summary of “Vanity Fair” in chapters, combined several times into one part of the article.

Emilia and Rebecca meet again. But if Emilia is happy in her marriage and is constantly next to her husband, then Rebecca prefers to be in high society around the clock. The reason for this meeting was the call of all regiments to Brussels. Rodon, like George, was summoned to the city with his troops.

Here, Rebecca is surrounded by a huge number of fans around the clock. George himself falls into their ranks. Becca, like an experienced destroyer of hearts, leads her old friend's loving husband by the nose. Desperate, George takes a very rash step: at one of the last balls, he gives flowers to Becca and gives a letter. In the note, he writes about his great love for the girl and asks her to leave her husband and run away with him. However, Rebecca knows that her friend's husband is worthless, so she simply throws the letter away and forgets about it. Heartbroken, George returns to Emilia. On the same day, Napoleon attacks a town located near Brussels. All troops are sent to defend the city. Full of shame in front of his wife, George says goodbye to her, as it turns out, forever. In a few days he will die during the battle.

Paris (Chapters 33-34)

This part of Thackeray's book "Vanity Fair" in its summary is no less significant than for the original work.

After that fight, Rebecca and Rodon leave for Paris for three years. Becca is a huge success there. She becomes one of the most frequent guests of high society. Having given birth to a son from her husband in France, Rebecca and her family return to London. Just at this time, news arrives of the death of old Mrs. Crawley. The old woman did not forget her grudge against her nephew and left her entire fortune to the eldest of the brothers. Rodon's older brother feels guilty towards him and offers to unite their families. Returning to the estate, Rebecca again puts on the mask of a sweet girl and feigns great love for her son, although in reality she feels absolutely nothing for the boy.

New love (chapters 35-38)

Rodon's older brother began to have some feelings for Becca, because she was able to captivate everyone in this house. In addition, the old lord who lived nearby began to frequent the estate often. With the help of the funds available to this lord, Rebecca moves up the financial ladder and again becomes one of the central persons of high society. No one can guess where the girl gets the expensive dresses and jewelry that the old lord in love gives her.

Soon Becca becomes one of the brightest ladies in all of London, she understands that all these people who hang around at the very top of secular society are the most ordinary. Rebecca is bored in aristocratic society. Rodon, who always felt uncomfortable at such gatherings, mostly stays at home alone. His love and affection for his son grows stronger.

Farewell (Chapters 39-45)

This is one of the most touching parts of Thackeray's book "Vanity Fair" in summary.

Rebecca's life goes downhill when Rawdon finds out about all her infidelities. The devoted husband tries to challenge the old lord to a duel, but he does not agree. Then the cuckold decides to leave England and take the high post of governor in Coventry. Becca also suddenly disappears from the estate, leaving her son to be raised by his uncle and his wife, who has long replaced his own mother.

Raising a Son (Chapters 46-54)

After the death of her husband, Emilia almost died of grief herself. The girl’s salvation was the birth of her son, whom she loved even more than her late husband. Courageously enduring financial difficulties, Emilia lives with her parents for a long time, helping them with household chores. George's father sees his grandson and is terribly surprised at how much he resembles his dead father. He invites the girl to give her son to him so that he can raise him to be a real man. Emilia understands that her father-in-law has funds that he can invest in the boy and, for the benefit of his little son, agrees to the proposal. Hardly experiencing the separation from her beloved son, who so reminds her of her late husband, and the death of her mother, Emilia finds peace in caring for her father, who has become very weak due to the last difficult years of his life.

The Return of Dobbin (Chapters 55-60)

Captain Dobbin returns from the front with Emilia's brother. The captain swears to the young widow that he will help her in everything. He decides to marry Emilia. However, the young widow still loves her dead husband and does not notice the captain's love. Very soon the girl loses her father. Experiencing the loss, she learns that her father-in-law suddenly restores Emilia’s rights to her son and transfers to her that part of his inheritance that George was deprived of. As it turned out, Dobbin contributed to this. Despite the captain’s devotion, the girl can only thank him with words, but not with her heart, which was forever given to George.

Meeting of old friends (chapters 61-66)

Rebecca has been traveling around European countries for a long time. In one of the cities, she accidentally meets Emilia, who went on a short trip with her son, brother and captain. Rebecca went to great lengths, squandering all the money that Rawdon left her after he left. People shy away from Becky, which is not surprising: over the years she has begun to look like crazy. Seeing Emilia, and then her brother nearby, Becca hoped for a new successful marriage. Complaining to Emilia's brother how much she has been slandered, deprived of her son and her name defiled, Becca effortlessly captures Joseph's heart. Dobbin, seeing Rebecca's scam, quarrels with Emilia over this. It was during this quarrel that Dobbin reproaches the girl for not noticing him as a man for so many years. He decides to say goodbye to his unrequited love forever. However, Becca does the first right thing in her life - in order for Emilia to finally stop being faithful to the dead man, she shows George’s letter in which he asked her to run away with him, which proves the infidelity of the girl’s husband. This pushes Emilia to create a new relationship with Dobbin.

Conclusion (Chapter 67)

The novel ends with Rebecca managing to win Joseph, who becomes her personal slave, who soon dies under "unexplained circumstances." Dobbin and Emilia are happily married, in which love and understanding reign. Rebecca's son, after the death of his uncle, becomes the heir to the estate and has no desire to communicate with his mother at all, despite the fact that he provides her with funds for maintenance. Becca does not worry about anything and lives for her own pleasure: in addition to her son’s money, many acquaintances help her financially, because they believe that the girl has been unfairly offended.

The main characters, Miss Emilia Sedley and Miss Rebecca (Becky) Sharp, study together at Miss Pinkerton's private boarding school.

Emilia, the daughter of a successful businessman, has an even and gentle disposition and is universally adored. Becky, on the other hand, is an orphan, the daughter of a drunken artist and a French dancer, who left as a legacy to their daughter only her bright appearance, artistry, intelligence and brilliant knowledge of the French language. She lives with Miss Pinkerton and receives her education, acting as a French teacher for younger pupils.

Emilia Sedley is the only person Becky treats with almost genuine kindness. “Almost” - since the friendship is poisoned both by Becky’s awareness of the inequality of their position, and by the fact that Emilia, who has not known need, cannot understand Becky’s problems and help her friend.

The girls leave the boarding house together. Emilia - in order to settle with her parents and soon marry the son of a wealthy businessman, officer George Osborne, whom she adores. Becky, on the other hand, received a position as a governess in an impoverished aristocratic family, but before starting work, at the invitation of a friend, she stays with her for some time.

At the Sedley house, Miss Sharp meets Emilia's brother, Mr. Joseph Sedley, a clumsy, vain, but quite good-natured official of the East India Company. Rebecca tries with all her might to persuade him to propose marriage, but due to Jos’s indecisiveness and the intervention of George Osborne, Emilia’s fiancé, who does not want to become related to the “governess,” Rebecca is defeated.

She is forced to leave Sedley and go to the Crowley family. In the house where Sir Pitt Crawley (an eccentric and crazy old man) and his wife, his son Mr. Pitt Crawley and his younger daughters live, Rebecca soon gains trust and favor. But Sir Pitt's family, despite the family estate, a huge number of illustrious ancestors and a place in the House of Commons, is poor and all its members are looking forward to the death of Sir Pitt's sister, the rich Miss Matilda Crawley. Miss herself gladly accepts everyone's adoration of her wealth, but she is going to leave her brothers and eldest nephew, the respectable and boring Pitt, in the dust, making her younger nephew, officer Rawdon Crowley, her heir. During Miss Crawley's visit to Sir Pitt's estate, Becky wins her sympathy and, at her request, goes with her to London. But the capricious old woman's place as a companion is not secure, so Becky decides to take steps to strengthen her position. And when the widowed Sir Pitt comes to London to propose to Miss Sharp to become the next Lady Crawley, Rebecca is forced to refuse - since she is already secretly married to Sir Pitt's son and Miss Matilda's favorite Rawdon, who is madly in love with her. Miss Crawley, having learned that her nephew married the governess, forever crosses both him and Becky out of her heart and will.

Meanwhile, Emilia is also getting ready to marry George Osborne. But suddenly Mr. Sedley Sr. goes bankrupt, and old man Osborne does not allow his son to marry the bankrupt’s daughter. Despite the ban, as well as the fact that George himself does not have passionate love for Emilia, he still marries her. This happens mainly thanks to the persuasion of George's friend, William Dobbin, who himself is secretly in love with Emilia, but, realizing that the girl thinks only of George, decides to step aside and, reminding the young and vain Osborne of the officer's honor, which will not be adorned refusal to marry a girl only because of her sudden poverty.

The wedding took place, and the newlyweds spend their honeymoon with the Crowleys, Becky and Rawdon. Although less than a week after the wedding, George Osborne became infatuated with Mrs. Crawley. The war with Napoleon “saved” him from escaping with Rebecca. Rawdon and George take part in the Battle of Waterloo, but Osborne does not return from it. Thus, he remained in the eternal memory and eternal devotion of his wife.

Soon Emilia gives birth to a son, Georgie, and Becky has a son, Rawdon (both are named after their fathers). In the meantime, old Sir Pitt Crawley died, and the head of the family is now his son Pitt Jr., who, after the death of Miss Crawley, became the heir to her wealth. Becky, her husband and son are trying to break into high society by attending various social events and making acquaintances with “worthy” people. But this did not lead to good, and one day Rawdon caught his wife during a dubious date with a wealthy admirer, Lord Steyn. The enraged husband finds a cache of money in her secretary, although, in his opinion, the family is in dire straits. A duel is approaching, but through intermediaries Stein and Rawdon refuses it, and the next day Rawdon learns that he has been appointed governor of Coventry Island. Rawdon leaves his wife, although he sends her an annual allowance. Some time later, he dies of a fever a week before the death of his brother Pitt. The entire Crowley fortune is inherited by the son of Rawdon and Rebecca, Rawdon Jr.

After a scandal with Lord Steyne, Rebecca is expelled from London society and wanders around Europe in search of happiness. Here she had to lead an extremely immoral life, almost becoming a gypsy. But then she meets Emilia, Major Dobbin and Jos Sedley. From Rebecca, Emilia learns that her ex-husband George never really loved her, and marries Dobbin, who had unsuccessfully sought her hand for many years. The result of the marriage was the girl Jane.

Becky again tries to seduce Jos, and this time she succeeds. However, a few years later, Jos dies, leaving Rebecca only half of the insurance in his will: Joseph’s entire fortune by that time was wasted due to Rebecca’s unsuccessful machinations. Rebecca is left alone; her son Rawdon does not renew his relationship with his mother, but provides her with financial support.

Vanity Fair

England, early 19th century. Europe is at war with Napoleon, but this does not prevent many people, obsessed with ambition, from continuing the pursuit of worldly goods - fortune, titles, ranks. Vanity Fair, the Bazaar of Everyday Vanity seethes day and night...

Two young girls leave Miss Pinkerton's boarding house. Emilia Sedley, the daughter of a wealthy esquire, is an example of purely English, somewhat insipid prettiness and virtue.

She “has a kind, gentle and generous heart,” and, to tell the truth, does not shine with intelligence. Rebecca Sharp is a different story. The daughter of a dissolute artist and ballet dancer, a Frenchwoman, is “small, fragile and pale,” but one look from her green eyes is already capable of striking down any man. Becky, who grew up in cheerful poverty, is smart, sharp-tongued, sees through people and is determined to win her place in the sun at any cost, even through hypocrisy and deception. What to do, because the poor thing has neither loving parents, nor fortune, nor title - everything that feeds the virtue of happier peers.

Vanity Fair

Two young girls leave Miss Pinkerton's boarding house. Emilia Sedley, the daughter of a wealthy esquire, is an example of purely English, somewhat insipid prettiness and virtue. She “has a kind, gentle and generous heart,” and, to tell the truth, does not shine with intelligence. Rebecca Sharp is a different story. The daughter of a dissolute artist and ballet dancer, a Frenchwoman, is “small, fragile and pale,” but one look from her green eyes is already capable of striking down any man. Becky, who grew up in cheerful poverty, is smart, sharp-tongued, sees through people and is determined to win her place in the sun at any cost, even through hypocrisy and deception. What to do, because the poor thing has neither loving parents, nor fortune, nor title - everything that feeds the virtue of happier peers.

Emilia, sincerely attached to Becky, invites her to stay, and she takes advantage of the hospitality in the best possible way. The little cheat knows how to please everyone, but most importantly, she tries her charms with the greatest success on Joseph Sedley, Emilia's brother. Flattery, pretense, and this “lazy, grumpy and bon vivant” is ready for the last decisive step. Unfortunately, chance and Mr. George Osborne, Emilia's fiancé, intervene in the matter, as a result of which the young intriguer's hopes are crushed and Joseph flees. A new page opens in the life of Miss Sharp: she begins the duties of governess at Royal Crawley, the hereditary estate of Sir Pitt Crawley, “an incredibly vulgar and incredibly dirty old man,” a drunkard, a stingy and a troublemaker. Ingenuity, the ability to pretend and hypocrisy help Becky win the favor of all the inhabitants of the estate, starting with her pupils and ending with Mr. Pitt Crawley, the eldest son of the baronet, a true “well-bred gentleman”, whom even his violent father is afraid of. Regarding the latter, Becky finds "many ways to be useful to him." Not even a year has passed before she becomes completely irreplaceable, almost the mistress of the house.

Royal Crawley is blessed with an annual visit from Sir Pitt's unmarried half-sister, who has a considerable amount of money in her bank account. This old lady “knew with atheists and the French,” loves to live cheerfully and godlessly tyranns her companion, servants, and at the same time numerous relatives hoping to receive an inheritance. She can’t stand either Sir Pitt or his eldest son, but she adores the younger son, Rawdon Crawley, a dim-witted guard officer, a rogue, a gambler and a duelist. Miss Crawley finds Rebecca so charming and witty that, having fallen ill, she takes her to her London home, where the romance between the poor governess and the baronet’s youngest son ends. Ends in a secret marriage, because, despite the aunt's passion for Freedom and Equality, she can get very angry. Everything is revealed after the death of Sir Pitt's wife, when he, not too saddened by this untimely death, tries to return Rebecca to Royal Crawley. Sir Pitt falls to his knees, inviting her to become Lady Crawley, and at that moment the fearless Becky, for the first time in her life, loses her presence of mind and bursts into “the most genuine tears.” Why was she in a hurry? What a missed opportunity!

Everyone curses the young couple. No matter how hard Rawdon, led by the clever Rebecca, tries to win back his aunt’s favor, he fails. The champion of democracy and lover of romantic marriages will never forgive her nephew for his misalliance until the end of her days. There is nothing to say about Sir Pitt: the old man literally “loses his mind from hatred and unfulfilled desires”, sinks more and more, and only his death saves the family nest from final devastation and desecration. The spouses have to rely only on the modest salary of the captain of the guard. However, the resilient Becky perfectly masters the art, which will come in handy more than once in her life, the art of living more or less happily, without having a penny of cash. She does not lose hope of taking a more brilliant place in society and agrees to be patient, and Rodon, passionately and blindly in love with his wife, turns into a happy and submissive husband.

Meanwhile, clouds are gathering over Emilia’s head, and the culprit, surprisingly, turns out to be Napoleon, or Boni, as the British call him. Bonaparte's flight from Elba and the landing of his army in Cannes changes the state of affairs on the stock exchange and entails the complete ruin of John Sedley, Emilia's father. And who turns out to be “the most intractable and stubborn of creditors”? His friend and neighbor John Osborne, whom he helped to get out into the world. Sedley's property goes under the hammer, the family moves into a squalid rented apartment, but this is not why Emilia suffers. The trouble is that this simple-minded girl loves her groom not as she is supposed to love at Vanity Fair, but with all her heart and for the rest of her life. She sincerely considers the empty, narcissistic and foppish George Osborne the most handsome and intelligent man in the world. Unlike Rebecca, all of whose actions are dictated by “selfishness, selfishness and need,” Emilia lives only by love. And George... George graciously allows himself to be loved, without giving up purely bachelor's amusements and without pampering his bride with special attention.

After the collapse of John Sedley, George is forbidden by his father to marry Amelia. Moreover, her own father also does not want to hear about marriage with the “son of a scoundrel.” Poor Emilia is in despair. But here Captain Dobbin, George’s faithful friend, an honest and generous man who has long been passionately in love with Emilia, intervenes in the matter, not daring to admit it even to himself. He persuades George, who is no stranger to noble impulses, to marry Emilia against the will of his father. Needless to say, his father abandons George and deprives him of his inheritance.

Both disgraced couples meet in Brussels, where the regiment of George and Dobbin marches and Guard General Tafto arrives with adjutant Rawdon Crowley. The regiment enthusiastically receives Emilia, but her friend moves in much more brilliant society. Wherever Rebecca appears, she is always surrounded by a crowd of noble admirers. George Osborne is one of them. Becky's coquetry and his own vanity take him so far that at the ball he gives her a bouquet with a letter in which he begs her to run away with him. (Of course, she never intended to do anything like that. She knows George’s worth.) But on the same day, Napoleon’s troops cross the Sambre, and George, full of unspoken remorse, says goodbye to his wife. Says goodbye, only to die a few days later at the Battle of Waterloo.

And Becky and Rawdon spend three years in Paris after Waterloo. Rebecca enjoys wild success, she is admitted into the highest society; the French are not as picky as the British. However, she does not intend to stay in France for the rest of her life. The whole family (a son is born to Becky and Rawdon in Paris) returns to London, where the Crowleys live, as always, on credit, making promises to everyone and paying no one. Aunt Rawdon finally passes away, leaving almost her entire fortune to her eldest nephew, married to Lord Southdown's daughter Lady Jane, an honest and worthy woman. Soon Sir Pitt also dies, and the new baronet, feeling guilty before his brother (after all, his aunt’s money would have gone to him if not for his marriage to the governess), considers it his duty to unite the family. And so Rebecca appears again in Royal Crawley and again manages to charm everyone. What does she have to do for this! Even feigning love for her son, for whom she actually does not have the slightest affection.

Rebecca's subtle flattery captivates the newly-made baronet so much that he visits her house almost every day. Just as often there is the all-powerful Lord Stein, Becky’s noble patron, an old cynic, with the help of whom the former governess “climbs and pushes forward.” By what means she achieves this, no one can say anything definite, but Lord Stein gives her diamonds and puts his cellars at her disposal. Finally, an event occurs that puts Becky on a par with respectable ladies; she is presented to the court. She enters the highest circles of London society and is convinced that the powers that be are no different from the Smiths and Joneses. After the initial excitement wears off, Becky becomes bored. And her husband feels more and more lonely every day among “intrigues, aristocratic meetings and brilliant characters” and becomes more and more attached to his son.

Becky's brilliant parade through Vanity Fair ends in disaster. Rawdon accuses her of treason, if not treason, tries to challenge Lord Steyne to a duel and ultimately leaves England to take the post of governor of Coventry Island (procured for him by the same Lord Steyne). Rebecca disappears, and Rawdon Crowley Jr. remains in the care of his uncle and his wife, who replaces his mother. What about Emilia? The death of her husband almost cost her her life; she was saved only by the birth of her son, whom she idolizes, just as she idolized her husband. She lives with her parents for a long time, bravely endures poverty and hardship and finds joy in little Georgie. But old John Osborne, struck by his grandson's resemblance to his late son, offers to take the boy and raise him as a gentleman. Poor Emilia breaks up with her son for his good and, after the death of her mother, finds solace in brightening up the last days of her old father. But just at the time when Rebecca suffers a crushing collapse, fortune turns to face Emilia. Major Dobbin returns from India along with her brother Joseph, who swears that from now on his family will not know need. How the Major's devoted heart skips a beat when he approaches the house where Mrs. Osborne lives, what happiness overwhelms him when he learns that she has not married. True, he doesn’t have much to hope for either. Emilia still doesn’t seem to notice Dobbin’s selfless, devoted love, still doesn’t see his outstanding merits. She remains faithful to her husband's memory, leaving Dobbin to "watch and languish" with all the cruelty of virtue. Soon John Sedley dies, followed by John Osborne. He leaves little Georgie half the fortune and restores the widow of his “beloved son” to guardianship rights. Emilia learns that she owes this too to Dobbin; she learns that he was an unknown benefactor who supported her in times of need. But “for this incomparable devotion she can only pay with gratitude”...

On the banks of the Rhine, in a small duchy, two “friends” meet again. Emilia makes a trip abroad with her son, brother and Dobbin, and Rebecca has been fluttering around Europe for a long time, squandering the contents assigned to her by her husband in card games and dubious adventures, and everywhere her compatriots from decent society shy away from her as if she were plagued. But then she sees Joseph Sedley, and hope awakens in her soul. The poor slandered sufferer, from whom her honorable name and beloved child were taken away, as in former times, easily deceives the corpulent dandy and Emilia, who, apparently, have not wised up at all and have not learned anything. Dobbin, who has always had an aversion to Becky, quarrels with Emilia over her and for the first time in his life reproaches her for not appreciating “an affection that a more exalted soul would proudly share.” He decides to part with Emilia forever. And then Becky, filled with admiration for Dobbin and “contemptuous pity” for Emilia, commits the only selfless act in her life. She shows Emilia George's letter proving his infidelity. The idol is defeated. Emilia is free and can return Dobbin's feelings. The story is coming to an end. Dobbin unites with Emilia, they lead a quiet life in the comfort of their own home and are friends with the inhabitants of Royal Crawley. Joseph lives the miserable life of Rebecca's slave until the end of his days. He dies under "unexplained circumstances." Rawdon Crowley Sr. also dies of yellow fever. His son inherits the title and estate after his uncle's death. He does not want to see his mother, but assigns her a generous allowance, although she is already quite wealthy. Rebecca has many friends who consider her unfairly offended. She lives large and is passionate about charity work. That's all. Is Rebecca happy? Are Emilia and Dobbin happy? Which of us is happy in this world?

Two young girls leave Miss Pinkerton's boarding house. Emilia Sedley, the daughter of a wealthy esquire, is an example of purely English, somewhat insipid prettiness and virtue. She “has a kind, gentle and generous heart,” and, to tell the truth, does not shine with intelligence. Rebecca Sharp is a different story. The daughter of a dissolute artist and ballet dancer, a Frenchwoman, is “short, fragile and pale,” but one look from her green eyes is already capable of striking down any man. Becky, who grew up in cheerful poverty, is smart, sharp-tongued, sees through people and is determined to win her place in the sun at any cost, even through hypocrisy and deception. What to do, because the poor thing has neither loving parents, nor fortune, nor title - everything that feeds the virtue of happier peers.

Emilia, sincerely attached to Becky, invites her to stay, and she takes advantage of the hospitality in the best possible way. The little cheat knows how to please everyone, but most importantly, she tries her charms with the greatest success on Joseph Sedley, Emilia's brother. Flattery, pretense, and this “lazy, grumpy and bon vivant” is ready for the last decisive step. Unfortunately, chance and Mr. George Osborne, Emilia's fiancé, intervene in the matter, as a result of which the young intriguer's hopes are crushed and Joseph flees. A new page opens in the life of Miss Sharp: she takes up the duties of a governess at Royal Crawley, the hereditary estate of Sir Pitt Crawley, “an incredibly vulgar and incredibly dirty old man,” a drunkard, a stingy and a troublemaker. Ingenuity, the ability to pretend and hypocrisy help Becky win the favor of all the inhabitants of the estate, starting with her pupils and ending with Mr. Pitt Crawley, the eldest son of the baronet, a true “well-bred gentleman”, whom even his violent father is afraid of. Regarding the latter, Becky finds “many ways to be useful to him.” Not even a year has passed before she becomes completely irreplaceable, almost the mistress of the house.

Royal Crawley is blessed with an annual visit from Sir Pitt's unmarried half-sister, who has a considerable amount of money in her bank account. This old lady “knew with atheists and the French”, loves to live cheerfully and godlessly tyrannizes her companion, servants, and at the same time numerous relatives hoping to receive an inheritance. She can’t stand either Sir Pitt or his eldest son, but she adores the younger son, Rawdon Crawley, a dim-witted guard officer, a rogue, a gambler and a duelist. Miss Crawley finds Rebecca so charming and witty that, having fallen ill, she takes her to her London home, where the romance between the poor governess and the baronet’s youngest son ends. Ends in a secret marriage, because, despite the aunt's passion for Freedom and Equality, she can get very angry. Everything is revealed after the death of Sir Pitt's wife, when he, not too saddened by this untimely death, tries to return Rebecca to Royal Crawley. Sir Pitt falls to his knees, inviting her to become Lady Crawley, and at that moment the fearless Becky, for the first time in her life, loses her presence of mind and bursts into “the most genuine tears.” Why was she in a hurry? What a missed opportunity!

Everyone curses the young couple. No matter how hard Rawdon, led by the clever Rebecca, tries to win back his aunt’s favor, he fails. The champion of democracy and lover of romantic marriages will never forgive her nephew for his misalliance until the end of her days. There is nothing to say about Sir Pitt: the old man literally “loses his mind from hatred and unfulfilled desires”, sinks more and more, and only his death saves the family nest from final devastation and desecration. The spouses have to rely only on the modest salary of the captain of the guard. However, the resilient Becky perfectly masters the art, which will be useful to her more than once in life, the art of living more or less happily, without having a penny of cash. She does not lose hope of taking a more brilliant place in society and agrees to be patient, and Rodon, passionately and blindly in love with his wife, turns into a happy and submissive husband.

Meanwhile, clouds are gathering over Emilia’s head, and the culprit, surprisingly, turns out to be Napoleon, or Boni, as the British call him. Bonaparte's flight from Elba and the landing of his army in Cannes changes the state of affairs on the stock exchange and entails the complete ruin of John Sedley, Emilia's father. And who turns out to be “the most intractable and stubborn of creditors”? His friend and neighbor John Osborne, whom he helped to get out into the world. Sedley's property goes under the hammer, the family moves into a squalid rented apartment, but this is not why Emilia suffers. The trouble is that this simple-minded girl loves her groom not as she is supposed to love at Vanity Fair, but with all her heart and for the rest of her life. She sincerely considers the empty, narcissistic and foppish George Osborne the most handsome and intelligent man in the world. Unlike Rebecca, all of whose actions are dictated by “self-interest, selfishness and need,” Emilia lives only by love. And George... George graciously allows himself to be loved, without giving up purely bachelor's amusements and without pampering his bride with special attention.

Becky's brilliant parade through Vanity Fair ends in disaster. Rawdon accuses her of treason, if not treason, tries to challenge Lord Steyne to a duel and ultimately leaves England to take the post of governor of Coventry Island (procured for him by the same Lord Steyne). Rebecca disappears, and Rawdon Crowley Jr. remains in the care of his uncle and his wife, who replaces his mother. What about Emilia? The death of her husband almost cost her her life; she was saved only by the birth of her son, whom she idolizes, just as she idolized her husband. She lives with her parents for a long time, bravely endures poverty and hardship and finds joy in little Georgie. But old John Osborne, struck by his grandson's resemblance to his late son, offers to take the boy and raise him as a gentleman. Poor Emilia breaks up with her son for his good and, after the death of her mother, finds solace in brightening up the last days of her old father. But just at the time when Rebecca suffers a crushing collapse, fortune turns to face Emilia. Major Dobbin returns from India along with her brother Joseph, who swears that from now on his family will not know need. How the Major's devoted heart skips a beat when he approaches the house where Mrs. Osborne lives, what happiness overwhelms him when he learns that she has not married. True, he doesn’t have much to hope for either. Emilia still doesn’t seem to notice Dobbin’s selfless, devoted love, still doesn’t see his outstanding merits. She remains faithful to her husband’s memory, leaving Dobbin to “watch and languish” with all the cruelty of virtue. Soon John Sedley dies, followed by John Osborne. He leaves little Georgie half the fortune and restores the widow of his “beloved son” to guardianship rights. Emilia learns that she owes this too to Dobbin; she learns that he was the unknown benefactor who supported her in her years of need. But “for this incomparable devotion she can only pay with gratitude”...

On the banks of the Rhine, in a small duchy, two “friends” meet again. Emilia makes a trip abroad with her son, brother and Dobbin, and Rebecca has been fluttering around Europe for a long time, squandering the contents assigned to her by her husband in card games and dubious adventures, and everywhere her compatriots from decent society shy away from her as if she were plagued. But then she sees Joseph Sedley, and hope awakens in her soul. The poor slandered sufferer, from whom her honorable name and beloved child were taken away, as in former times, easily deceives the corpulent dandy and Emilia, who, apparently, have not wised up at all and have not learned anything. Dobbin, who has always had an aversion to Becky, quarrels with Emilia over her and for the first time in his life reproaches her for not appreciating “an affection that a more exalted soul would proudly share.” He decides to part with Emilia forever. And then Becky, filled with admiration for Dobbin and “contemptuous pity” for Emilia, commits the only selfless act in her life. She shows Emilia George's letter proving his infidelity. The idol is defeated. Emilia is free and can return Dobbin's feelings. The story is coming to an end. Dobbin unites with Emilia, they lead a quiet life in the comfort of their own home and are friends with the inhabitants of Royal Crawley. Joseph lives the miserable life of Rebecca's slave until the end of his days. He dies under “unexplained circumstances.” Rawdon Crowley Sr. also dies of yellow fever. His son inherits the title and estate after his uncle's death. He does not want to see his mother, but assigns her a generous allowance, although she is already quite wealthy. Rebecca has many friends who consider her unfairly offended. She lives large and is passionate about charity work. That's all. Is Rebecca happy? Are Emilia and Dobbin happy? Which of us is happy in this world?