1、畢業論文（設計）題目From Shaping the Characters of Becky to Analysis Thackerays Criticism on the British Society in Vanity Fair學院外國語學院專業英語年級 2012級學生鄧小嵐學號 120310311 指導教師袁德成34 / 34從名利場中蓓基的人物形象塑造看薩克雷對英國社會的批判英語專業學生:鄧小嵐指導教師:袁德成摘要：名利場是一部富有諷刺寓意的小說，使薩克雷在英國文學史上占據了不可動搖的地位，人們尊稱他為諷刺小說界的大師，人們把他與查爾斯狄更斯齊名。名利場通過刻畫女主人公蓓基的人物性格

2、特征來表現作者薩克雷對當時英國社會的批判，蓓基愛慕虛榮，八面玲瓏，趨炎附勢，自私自利，虛偽，為了達到自己的目的而不擇手段，并且逃避責任，這些都是當時英國那些上流社會達官貴人的基本特征。女主人公蓓基把自己的美色展露給大家，尤其是達官貴人，對達官貴人使眼色，眉目傳情，憑借和達官貴人的不正當關系來提升自己的地位，獲得金錢，獲得金銀珠寶，錦衣玉食。一個普通女人如何獲得財富？當然不是靠自己的雙手，而是靠男人。蓓基的一生中出現過很多男人，羅登是她丈夫，然而她并不愛自己的丈夫，只是因為她以為羅登是家產繼承人而嫁給了他。本文通過研究作者薩克雷對女主人公蓓基的性格描寫來揭露和批判當時英國社會中很多跟蓓基一樣為了

3、了進入上流社會而不擇手段。關鍵詞：人物形象塑造；英國社會；批判；名利場 ABSTRACT Vanity Fair is a novel which full of ironic implication, which has made Thackerays unshakable position in the history of British literature.People regard him as a master of fiction and he is equally famous as Charles Dickens. Vanity Fairby depicting the h

4、eroine Beckys personality traits to represent Thackerays criticism on British society at that time, Becky is vanity, versatility, timeserving, selfishness and hypocrisy. She always avoids responsibility, those are the typicalbasic features of the English polite social dignitaries. The heroine Becky

5、shows everyone her own beauty, especially to the dignitaries, winking and flirting dignitaries and keeping improper relationship with dignitaries to improve her own positions, get the money, get gold and silver jewelry, and luxurious. How to gain wealth as an ordinary woman? Of course not by their o

6、wn hands, but by the man. Beckys life appeared a lot of men, Rawdon is her husband, she does not love her husband, however, just because she thought Rawdon is the heir to the fortune and so married him. In this paper, by studying author Thackerays character portrayal of the heroine Becky to expose a

7、nd criticize at that time a lot of woman like Becky in order to enter the upper society by hook or by crook in British society.Key words: the shaping of image; the British society; critical; Vanity FairContentsPart one. Introduction31.1A brief introduction of Thackeray31.2An introduction of Vanity F

8、air3Part two. The character analysis of Vanity Fair32.1 Cold32.2 Hypocritical32.3 Vanity32.4 Versatility32.5 Timeserving32.6 Selfishness32.7 Conclusion of Beckys characteristic3Part Three. The positive character of Becky33.1 The bold man33.2 Dare to resist33.3 Wit and smart3Part Four. The film and c

9、omment34.1 The film of Vanity Fair and the director34.2 The role of Becky34.3 The making process of this film3Part Five.The wrong outlook on life35.1An early to see the reality of the society35.2The marriage as a ladder3Part Six. Conclusion3Bibliography3Acknowledgments18From Shaping the Characters o

10、f Becky to Analysis Thackerays Criticism on the British Society in Vanity FairPart one. Introduction1.1A brief introduction of Thackeray Vanity Fair is a masterpiece of the greatest British realist and humorist writer Thackeray. Thackeray is a prolific writer, he has a collection of 35 volume; His e

11、arly works are humorous stories and poetry, such as the descriptions of Paris, the Irish descriptions, etc.; In the middle,he start to create critical realism novels, and which novel laid his position in the literary world in UK is Vanity Fair, which is published in 1848, the novel not only establis

12、hed his place in the English literature but also made Thackeray acknowledged as the eponymous famous novelist Dickens. 1.2An introduction of Vanity FairA Novel without a Hero is a novel by English author William Makepeace Thackeray, first published in 184748, satirising society in early 19th-century

13、 Britain. It follows the lives of two women, Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, amid their friends and family. The novel is now considered a classic, and has inspired several film adaptations. In 2003, Vanity Fair was listed at #122 on the BBCs The Big Read poll of the UKs best-loved books. The books ti

14、tle comes from John Bunyans allegorical story The Pilgrims Progress, first published in 1678 and still widely read at the time of Thackerays novel. In that work, Vanity Fair refers to a stop along the pilgrims route: a never-ending fair held in a town called Vanity, which is meant to represent mans

15、sinful attachment to worldly things.This novel is originated from the early 19th century British upper-class, mainly describes the two womens fate in different personalities, shows the world at that time the British society moral crisis and corruption, and expose and criticize the capitalist society

16、, social change in temperature and the concept of money. This novels mainly describing the dark of British high society and the phenomenon of all kinds of people planning plot, lies, teasing the life for fame and wealth. The novel Vanity Fair is Thackerays most famous work, it is also the most repre

17、sentative work in19th century British critical realism literature. Vanity Fair, through the arrangement of the plot in an attempt to prove everything is undeserved reputation float, it reveals the prosperity of capitalist society with light outside, let people see the essence of it. Thackeray himsel

18、f said that he would write a group of extremely selfish and folly people desperately committed and enthusiastic pursuit of undeserved reputation in Vanity Fair Vanity Fair doesnt have so tight story structure, the content of the matter is basically made up of the life of two heroines Becky and Ameli

19、a together. Amelia is a bourgeois miss and Becky is nothing at all, through the fate of the two heroines, Thackeray describes a variety of people in the high society. This article through the analysis of the two women characters to reveals the corruption, moral peoples selfish, hypocritical treacher

20、ous in the higher British society. In 19th century of Britain, Becky sharp was born poor but ambitious to step into the higher class society from an early age, to achieve her goal, she does not hesitate to use any means, this novel is about how the heroine Becky use her own beauty and wisdom to conq

21、uer the world. At first Becky was working as a governor in Sir Pitt Crawleys home, where not only all the children liked her, but also the spinster aunt Matilda Crawley did. In Beckys mind that she knew that if she didnt leave the country and go to London to live, she cannot truly step into the high

22、er British society. So when aunt Matilda invite Becky to go to London, Becky accepted the invitation without any hesitation. In London, Becky met her good friend again in pink, Kingston college, a well-off Amelia Sedley. Amelia Sedley fell in love with the charming officer George, without thinking a

23、ny against from her family and resolutely married him, and Becky also secretly married Rawdon Crawley, the most likely heir in Crawleys family, and then Matilda aggravated the newly-married couple out of the house. At this point, Napoleon launched the war against Europe again, George was called up w

24、ith Rawdon , there are only two friends lived alone ever after.Part two. The character analysis of Vanity Fair2.1 Cold Becky sharp is cold which embodied in her son, she is indifference to her son. A scene once wrote, Rawdon play with son and threw up his son high and accidentally hit his head on th

25、e ceiling, knock very heavy, and then Rawdon, the father said dont cry, otherwise will wake the mother, and the child endure not to cry. We can see that her cold let her both own son and husband fear. She doesnt love her husband, her husband was only a higher servant, when her husband put in jail, s

26、he was still with play with Lord stein.2.2 Hypocritical Becky sharp is hypocrisy. Amelia Sedley is her best friend, and they used to be together as sisters, however, she and Rawdon design a caught cheating Amys husband, Georges money, and when she meet Amy, she pretend to be very concern about her h

27、usband, and say, My dear, for god sake, try to stop him gambling quickly. She told Amy that George was gambling every day, do you know that he is not so rich, if he is not careful, he would lost all his money to Rawdon. Becky sharp by hook or by crook, all with gambling, blackmail. They cheat the la

28、ndlord, took off a cheque to the honest bankers money, bought jewelry without paying.2.3 Vanity Vanity Fairs heroine Becky is very vanity, with all her heart secretly into upper class society life, and so eloquent must be one of her essential skill. There are many such examples abound in the book. I

29、n the evening they went to Brussels, Becky started to chat with George. Becky looked at the moon with smiling and said: who would have thought that the moon is two hundred and thirty-six thousand eight hundred and forty-seven miles away from us here, am I good memory? .（W.M.Thackeray 2010 :283) Beck

30、ys eloquent successful lay the foundation of her into the upper class society, her positive evaluation of her abilities, behaved quite natural, which make the listener in imperceptible in affection for her, by this way she improved her status in British upper class society. Also there are many peopl

31、e like her in the down class, they are so poor, they want to change their life to become a member of the upper class.2.4 Versatility Becky is a clever woman, she found that Miss likes to make fun of others, so she tries every mean to deride its social circle together with the old lady, almost every

32、one of Miss social circle , in order to please Miss .Such as:If Sir Pitt Treating guests without inviting Becky company, Miss crow can break into a furious rage, How can Miss Sharp not come , she is the only one who can talked a few words with me in zone. (W.M.Thackeray 2010:122) Becky was lively an

33、d cute, and versatility. No matter in what situation, as long as that there is someone who can be helpful to her future, she will try all possible way to please them. Becky is just a typical sample of that time, similarly, there are a lot of people in British society for the sake of their future faw

34、n on anyone who can be helpful.2.5 Timeserving Becky is very good at flattering, she is not only to please Sir , but also show her wisdom and talent in front of him, her flattery ability makes readers eye-opening. Becky, devoting all her heart to flattery, so lets talk about what is the real purpose

35、 of her? Might as well listen to her words to Rawdon: Im asking Mrs Jean taking me into palace next year, I want your brother to place you in the congress, you idiot! I want you and your brother all vote to Stan, my dear fool! In that way you can be the Irish governor, or the secretary of the west I

36、ndies, or the treasurer officer, or consular,or something like this. (W.M.Thackeray 2010 :478) This confession of Becky totally show her enthusiasm for fame, and the pursuit for wealth, she is double-faced, she know what should be talked to what kind of person, so she win the favor from a lot of peo

37、ple in the upper class. Becky is just a special case, of course, for that most people want to integrate into the upper society, this is a skill what they must master.2.6 Selfishness Becky has its own set of plans, she knew that only by dealing with the relationship between Rawdon and Sir Pitt which

38、can help her into upper society, reflects that the following statement: Sir Pitt he may die and his sons, and we will be Sir Rawdon and Sir Madam, then the reader will find that Becky did eventually in the help of Sir successful step into the court paradise. Becky advice Rawdon do not to fight with

39、Sir B , it is all in the hands of her, she wasnt really in order to alleviate Rawdon and Sir Pitt relationship, but in order that she can smoothly enter the upper society, she know that Sir will help her, so she tries every possible mean to stop the fight between finish Sir and Rawdon, its just from

40、 her selfishness.2.7 Conclusion of Beckys characteristic Thackeray through describe the main character, reveals the theme of the novel, the British society is a vanity fair. Becky Sharp, which is the daughter of a poor painter, is the product of the Victorian chase fame and wealth society. Though sh

41、e is born in the lower class, but she is beautiful, bandage, extreme selfishness. After graduating from boarding school in the form of work-study program, started by a small family teachers, even the use a variety of means to seduce powerful giants, firmly seize every opportunity to step into the up

42、per class, become a shining star, the only goal is to get fame and wealth, and to live a comfortable life which can let everyone envy. Becky, which is one of the most successful female adventurer, a masterpiece of critical realism.When she aim at empty luxury life, all the resources become her tools

43、, including sex, family love and friendship.With cold and selfish, hypocrisy, greed to describe Becky sharp was really suit. Part Three. The positive character of Becky3.1 The bold man Simone DE once said: A woman is not innate, but by shaping. The ego of a woman is not decided by her sex, but deter

44、mined by the social and economic environment. Social culture and economy determines the status of women. At Victorian times, women have no chance to increase knowledge by education or work, they are just told what kind of behavior is specification, which bound the personality of women. As a Victoria

45、n women, Becky should not be so smart. Although she is a poor orphan, but she wants to win respect, economic status and social status. Her independent personality conflicts with what social status she was given. Why she wants to get respect is rooted in her own experience when she was a young child.

46、 When her father was drunk, the wife and daughter would be beaten, and her father would complaint social injustice. Her fathers abuse contributed to her anger, she wanted to have a different childhood, but the social definition of female restrict her. Therefore, in her life, to live with her goals a

47、nd desires is a great challenge for her. Only the upper and middle class women have a chance to accept education about words and deeds. Like Becky, a girl from the bottom of the social, life will be more bound. 3.2 Dare to resist After her father died, Becky was allowed to stay in school, but have t

48、o teach French to girls. Becky was offended by other students discrimination, so she began to desire for prestige extremely. Life in school made her more aware that she is alone and no others can depend on. So she began to plan her own future. She was fed up with her treatment, and determined to try

49、 every means to enter the upper society. However, before graduation, she found that challenge the traditional idea would only bring disgrace on her own head. As a result, she hid her anger and ambitions, pretend to be obedience. She learned from Emily that obedience and innocent will be more liked.

50、Even after she got her aim social status, Becky still showed her own rebellion. Born rebel that she wont change her behavior to meet the social expectations of women. Carefully, she deals with the people around her, and then she laugh behind they. The disgrace of Lord Stan let her get satisfaction,

51、because of his noble status symbol of the social system set a cage for her childhood.3.3 Wit and smart According to Simone, traditional woman cannot leave the man and consider herself alone, but man can consider about himself only without considering the woman. Becky controls or deceives men through

52、 her intelligence, changes the role of women are inferior. As a governess, by becoming an indispensable character to break the rules of the society for women is limited. In the hosts home, even though she is just a private tutor, but she found herself dominated transactions as a matter of fact. Thro

53、ugh her words and actions, she controls the people around her, make them believe that she is a woman who just like Emily, obedience and ignorance like child. Part Four. The film and comment4.1 The film of Vanity Fair and the director “Ah! Vanitas Vanitatum! Which of us is happy in this world? Which

54、of us has his desire? Or, having it, is satisfied? -come, children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.”(W.M.Thackeray 2010:774) This is the last sentence in Vanity Fair of William Thackerays novel. Vanity Fair, completed in 1847 to 1848, by reputation in the early 19

55、th century, it is the most vivid and interesting description. It is that the conclusion of the Vanity Fair inspired director, Mira Nair. She said: I want to shoot the film, because Thackeray and I have many common questions: we all have a dream, when the dream come true, will we be happy? What is sa

56、tisfaction? What is desire? Whats life fame and wealth? Thackerays novel is the best film material, precisely described what was happening in Britain at that time, this paper expounds an eternal theme. Particularly plump characters will resonate with modern people, I think Becky is one of the greate

57、st female characters in literary works.For the classic novel, Neil has its own unique insights.Coincidentally, Thackerays spent his childhood in Calcutta in India, and Neil also grew up in India, her personal experience can complement and recreate Thackerays novel. Producer Janette Day want to made

58、the novel into a film as early as 10 years ago. Becky is more like the modern women, she said, just born in the wrong time. In the materialistic crazy world, she is vitality and different from others.For the films writer and joint production team, Matthew Faulk and Mark Skeet, they are able to work as an adaptation is a lucky gift for them, because in the process of novel Thackeray provides a large number of people, so to change the story based o