A Brilliant Woman Capable of Writing Her Own History： A Feminist Reading of Vanity Fair

桂沅沅

【Abstract】William Makepeace Thackeray， together with his masterpiece Vanity Fair， leaves a glorious page in the literary history. This study aims to employ a feminist perspective to interpret the positive connections shown by the shining image of Rebecca， one of the most outstanding and marvelously depicted literary characters.

【Key words】Feminism； Vanity Fair； Rebecca Sharp

Rebecca Sharp， in Vanity Fair， refuses to be the silenced or devoiced “second sex” in the Victorian male-dominated society， but overshadows all other male characters in the novel， writes her own history and establishes a solid position in Vanity Fair. Popular Victorian patriarchal discourse claims that women so powerless， worthless， mediocre and emotional that they are only able to find their proper positions in society by subordinating to the wills， instructions and orders of men. Such sort of discourse blinds women to willingly abide by male wills， give up the opportunities to voice out their opinions and situate themselves to fit the role as the “second sex” in the male-centered era （Stephanie， 2011）. With a keen sense of humor， deep understanding of human nature and enchanting skills to make herself popular， Rebecca succeeds in satisfying what she desires and fights against two sources of pressures： one from the upper class of society and the other the discrimination against women in the male-dominated society （Stevenson， 2011）. Born of poverty and humble position， Rebecca， an orphan at the bottom of society， has been leading a hard life and encountered instant disdain， but her later interaction with the those from upper social class reminds her of the unfairness of society， the hypocrisy and corrupt nature of the rich or the powerful， thus she determined at any rate to get free form the prison in which she found herself， and for the first time to make plans for the future （Thackeray， 2008）. Rebeccas longing for higher social positions symbolizes her resolution to express her own voices and determination to control her own history， but not subordinates entirely to the domination of men or the patriarchal ideology.

This unscrupulous little heroine outshines all other male characters portrayed in Vanity Fair， thus giving an eloquent expression of female capabilities and intelligence. In all her relations to men， Rebecca takes the initiatives and is able to make the men do the things based on her wills： Rawdon has no say in the married life with her； she not only secures the love of Lord Steyne， but also makes him pay debts for her extravagant lifestyle； she finally obtains the property of Joseph and resumes the lifestyle as a grand lady in the end of the novel （Warne， 2006）. Even in her toughest and most bleak times， Rebecca refuses to let herself down or be wept out of the Vanity Fair， but instead calculates every possible means to resituate herself as a respectable women in the high society （Thackeray， 2008）. At that time， the unfavorable and hostile attitudes are enough to discourage people and deprive them of the courage to make efforts again， but Rebecca surprises and impresses the readers by her refusal to give up， strength to continue her fight and eventual realization of her desires （Thackeray， 2008）. There is no other character in Vanity Fair that owns the positive qualities （perseverance， endurance， courage and optimism） expressed by Rebecca and all male characters， including Dobbin， lack the courage and determination of Rebecca （Stephanie， 2011）. As a victor in Vanity Fair， Rebecca makes her own voices heard， her own history written and her own ambitions achieved： this resourceful heroine takes full control of her own resources and becomes the absolute master of her own feminine history.

The depicted image of Rebecca is of immeasurable positive influences on the following generations， especially on those women and feminists who are committed to the cause of seeking for more equality， justice and interests for women.

References：

[1]Stephanie，Womick.“The green silk purse and little Rawdons shirt：sartorial literacy and domestic performance in Vanity Fair”，Victorians：A Journal of Culture and Literature，12.8 （2011）：67-83.

[2]Warne，Vanessa.“Thackeray among the annuals：morality， cultural authority and the literary annual genre”，Victorian Periodicals Review，39.2 （2006）：158-178.

[3]William Thackeray.Vanity Fair[M].London：Penguin Books，2008.