The Images of Women in the Vanity Fair 英语毕业论文.doc

The Images of Women in the Vanity Fair I Introduction Vanity Fair, written by William Makepeace Thackeray, is a powerful moral novel which is also regarded as one of the greatest critical realistic works in Victorian Age. The book reflects the relationship between people in the society. It portrayed two heroines: Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley. After completed their studies, the two girls prepared to depart for Amelia’s house in Russell Square. Because of their different family background and environment, they choose different lifestyle. Becky, who is ruthless and brilliant, defies her poverty-stricken background to rise in English society. Different from Becky, Amelia is born in a rich family, but she has to endure a lot of difficulties after grown up. This paper seeks to answer the following questions: what are the characteristics of the two heroines, Becky and Amelia? What are their differences in different aspects such as the attitudes toward society, love and marriage, and friendship? Becky Sharp is born in a poor family, and she is the representative of the lower class. She has more chances to come into contact with various kinds of people and the ugly society. She makes use of all instruments and advantages of her and the man around her to reach higher social position in order to keep her legs still in the Vanity Fair. Opposite with Becky, Amelia represents the vitality and virtue of the middle class, and she is the shining side of the society. II Introduction of the Two Heroines Amelia Sedley: good natured but passive and naive. She has a round, rosy snub-nosed face and brown hair. Although she is not outstandingly beautiful, she is well liked by most men because of her sweet personality, a popularity which is often resented by other women. She marries George Osborne against the wishes of Georges father, and is devoted to him despite his neglect of her and flirtation with Becky. When George dies at the battle of Waterloo, she brings up little George alone w