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Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.

Vanity Fair

The idea of Vanity Fair as a milieu, or social environment, not a physical setting, helps readers understand the society in which the Sedleys, Crawleys, and Becky Sharp operate. The residents of Vanity Fair are shallow and vain, deceiving others and striving for advantage but ultimately to little avail. Their lack of substance and their insistence on bowing to money, power, or even unrealistic ideals eventually lead to their downfall. As the novel demonstrates, the only people able to enjoy a happy life, and a happy ending, are the few virtuous ones, such as Lady Jane, who refuse to actively participate in this society. The narrator warns the audience at the beginning of what lies ahead as the puppet play is performed: “…this is VANITY FAIR; not a moral place certainly; nor a merry one, though very noisy.”

Performances

The characters of Vanity Fair are constantly performing in their interactions because, as they strive toward their goals, they must always put on whatever show presents the narrative they seek to create. At times, their rationale for doing so is altruistic. George and Dobbin, for instance, talk about the fine, fashionable people Amelia will meet in Brussels to downplay the danger they face. Usually, however, the characters’ performances are intended to support the idea of themselves that they want others to believe or, put another way, their lies. Some may act in a manner designed to impress or demean others or even to win inheritances. Others choose to put on an act all the time. Becky lives her life as a performance. When she makes a misstep, as when her marriage to Rawdon gets him disinherited, Becky immediately pivots to her next play. As situations shift, so does she. The Becky who pretends to be in awe of Jos has little connection to the Becky who donates to charitable works in Bath. The performances that Becky puts on throughout her life show her lack of true self.

Money

The acquisition of money lies at the heart of Vanity Fair. To have money is to hold power, and that is the reason that Becky and numerous other characters desire more and more of it. While people’s wealth varies and even changes over time, everyone recognizes the central role that money plays in their lives and futures. The amount of money and property a person or family possesses is correlated with their opportunities. In the world of Vanity Fair, these opportunities encompass marriage, work, freedom of action, and more. The richer a person is, the more liberty they have—witness Sir Pitt’s and Lord Steyne’s lascivious behavior toward Becky. It is fair to say that money defines who people are in Vanity Fair, how ambitious they may be, and whom they surround themselves with. At the same time, flaunting money or actively searching for money is considered crass, as typified when George claims to be too high-minded to marry for money. Therefore, Becky, or anyone, must tread carefully as they pursue money.

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