Vanity Fair, Volume I, The Harvard Classics
"Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray, featured in Volume I of The Harvard Classics, is a satirical novel published in 1847-1848. Set in early 19th-century England, the story follows the lives of two contrasting women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, against the backdrop of English society.
Becky Sharp, a clever and ambitious social climber, and Amelia Sedley, a gentle and naïve young woman, meet at Miss Pinkerton's Academy for Young Ladies. Their lives become intertwined as they navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and social status.
As the narrative unfolds, Thackeray provides a panoramic view of English society, from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the battlefields of Europe. Through a cast of vividly drawn characters, including the roguish Captain Rawdon Crawley, the pompous Sir Pitt Crawley, and the scheming Miss Matilda Crawley, Thackeray satirizes the vanities, follies, and hypocrisies of the time.
"Vanity Fair" is celebrated for its sharp wit, keen observations of human nature, and intricate plotting. Thackeray's narrator, often intervening directly with the reader, offers commentary on the characters and events, adding layers of irony and depth to the narrative.
At its heart, "Vanity Fair" is a morality tale, exploring themes of ambition, greed, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the trials and triumphs of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, Thackeray paints a vivid portrait of a society driven by vanity and self-interest, where appearances often deceive and true happiness proves elusive.
Overall, "Vanity Fair" remains a timeless classic of English literature, cherished for its wit, insight, and compelling storytelling. In Volume I of The Harvard Classics, Thackeray's novel takes its place as a cornerstone of the literary canon, offering readers a rich and provocative exploration of the human condition.
"Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray, featured in Volume I of The Harvard Classics, is a satirical novel published in 1847-1848. Set in early 19th-century England, the story follows the lives of two contrasting women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, against the backdrop of English society.
Becky Sharp, a clever and ambitious social climber, and Amelia Sedley, a gentle and naïve young woman, meet at Miss Pinkerton's Academy for Young Ladies. Their lives become intertwined as they navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and social status.
As the narrative unfolds, Thackeray provides a panoramic view of English society, from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the battlefields of Europe. Through a cast of vividly drawn characters, including the roguish Captain Rawdon Crawley, the pompous Sir Pitt Crawley, and the scheming Miss Matilda Crawley, Thackeray satirizes the vanities, follies, and hypocrisies of the time.
"Vanity Fair" is celebrated for its sharp wit, keen observations of human nature, and intricate plotting. Thackeray's narrator, often intervening directly with the reader, offers commentary on the characters and events, adding layers of irony and depth to the narrative.
At its heart, "Vanity Fair" is a morality tale, exploring themes of ambition, greed, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the trials and triumphs of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, Thackeray paints a vivid portrait of a society driven by vanity and self-interest, where appearances often deceive and true happiness proves elusive.
Overall, "Vanity Fair" remains a timeless classic of English literature, cherished for its wit, insight, and compelling storytelling. In Volume I of The Harvard Classics, Thackeray's novel takes its place as a cornerstone of the literary canon, offering readers a rich and provocative exploration of the human condition.
"Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray, featured in Volume I of The Harvard Classics, is a satirical novel published in 1847-1848. Set in early 19th-century England, the story follows the lives of two contrasting women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, against the backdrop of English society.
Becky Sharp, a clever and ambitious social climber, and Amelia Sedley, a gentle and naïve young woman, meet at Miss Pinkerton's Academy for Young Ladies. Their lives become intertwined as they navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and social status.
As the narrative unfolds, Thackeray provides a panoramic view of English society, from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the battlefields of Europe. Through a cast of vividly drawn characters, including the roguish Captain Rawdon Crawley, the pompous Sir Pitt Crawley, and the scheming Miss Matilda Crawley, Thackeray satirizes the vanities, follies, and hypocrisies of the time.
"Vanity Fair" is celebrated for its sharp wit, keen observations of human nature, and intricate plotting. Thackeray's narrator, often intervening directly with the reader, offers commentary on the characters and events, adding layers of irony and depth to the narrative.
At its heart, "Vanity Fair" is a morality tale, exploring themes of ambition, greed, and the pursuit of happiness. Through the trials and triumphs of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, Thackeray paints a vivid portrait of a society driven by vanity and self-interest, where appearances often deceive and true happiness proves elusive.
Overall, "Vanity Fair" remains a timeless classic of English literature, cherished for its wit, insight, and compelling storytelling. In Volume I of The Harvard Classics, Thackeray's novel takes its place as a cornerstone of the literary canon, offering readers a rich and provocative exploration of the human condition.
Author: William Makepeace Thackeray
In House Collection: 1 of 2
Condition: G
Condition Additional Notes: Slight wear from age
Book Cover Material: Hardback
Publisher: P F Collier & Son Company, New York
Publication Date: 1917
Age: 1917
Edition: 1st Edition
Language: English
