A Novel without a Hero
(Book Report)
I. Book title: “Vanity fair: A novel without a Hero”
II. Author: William Makepeace Thackeray
III. Theme: Thackeray wants his audience to realize how vanity itself can affect how people act. It is mainly a story about two girls with different outlooks in life; entangled in problems that neither of them could face well.
IV. Main Characters:
Miss Barbara Pinkerton – presiding over an Academy for Young ladies
Jemima Pinkerton – sister of Barbara
Amelia Sedley – will be the wife of Mr. George Osborne
John Sedley – father of Amelia
Mrs. Sedley – wife of John Sedley
Joseph Sedley – brother of Amelia
Mrs. Blenkinsop – housekeeper for the Sedleys
Sambo – servant for the Sedleys
Rebecca Sharp – will be the wife of Rawdon Crawley
Sir Pitt Crawley – a miserly, old baronet
Rose Crawley – second wife of Sir Pitt
George Osborne – godson of Mr. Sedley
Rawdon Crawley – falls in love with Rebecca
Other Characters:
Miss Swartz
Rose Crawley (daughter of Sir Pitt)
Violet Crawley
Pitt Crawley (son of Sir Pitt)
Horrocks
Miss Horrocks
Rev. Bute Crawley
Mrs. Bute Crawley
James Crawley
Frank Crawley
Mr. Osborne
Jane
Maria
Miss Wirt
Miss Crawley
Miss Briggs
Mrs. Firkin
Bowls
Mr. Raggles
Capt. William Dobbin
Countess Southdown
Lady Emily Hornblower
Lady Jane Sheepshanks
Mr. and Mrs. Clapp
Miss Mary Clapp
Frederick Bullock
Ensign Stubble
Ensign Simple
Major O’Dowd
Peggy O’Dowd
Glorvina O’Dowd
George Osborne Jr.
Rawdon Crawley Jr.
George Gustavus
Lady Steyne
Lady Gaunt
Mr. Moss
Fifine
Capt. Macmurdo
Mr. Wenham
Rev. Mr. Veal
Rev. Beilby Binny
Isidor
Kirsch
Fiche
V. Point of View: The story is told from a 3rd Person’s point of view. It is practically
limited omniscient. The narrator comments every once in a while, and states his opinion about what he wanted to happen. It is quite interesting to have such an amazing author playing with the