Many researchers have studied this novel. Some scholars have studied the practical significance of this work. According to the scholars Mou Changqing and Zhang Ling, the Vanity Fair is not only a novel, but also a microcosm of society. They think human is selfish, and only consider their own interests. When the fame can be against the social justice, and when the pursuit of material is far more than the pursuit of spirit, fame becomes the beacon of actions. Wealth and fame of course can be pursued, but that is not all of life, life has a lot of good things to pursue, such as sincerity, goodness and virtue.
However, there are also some scholars having studied the characters and themes. According to the scholars Wang Xinchun and Li Shasha, there is no hero in the novel. The author gave each of the character criticism and laugh, and even the kind girl Amelia was also covered with ignorance and blindness.
In addition, some scholars interpret the female character and their destiny in Vanity Fair. Yu Yang holds that Rebecca’s personalities have been distorted in different life background; she was manipulative, hypocrisy, even dirty. Finally she got into the upper society, but she was deserted by people and cast aside. Another role, Amelia, was always in suffering, and bullied uncomplaining. But she got the sweet love and happy marriage eventually.
This dissertation will analyze Rebecca and Amelia from their personalities, their behaviors, and how they face their destinies.
3. The Gentle, Kind and Soft Girl ------Amelia Sedly
3.1 Innocence, Kindness but Vulgarness
Amelia was very pure and lovely, and compared with Rebecca, she was too innocent. She never believed Rebecca would do anything harmful to her. She treated Rebecca as her born sister, helping her when she had nothing. When Rebecca was not known by any influential people, Amelia even tried to help Rebecca to chase her brother, only didn’t she ask her father to let Rebecca live with her family. It doesn’t sound worth appreciating, of course, but in contrast to Rebecca, Amelia is far too kind. Maybe the author built this character only
Despite the many twists and turns, Amelia and George finally got married. Perhaps because George argued with his father and left home for her, Amelia hell-bent loved George. Of course, George deserved praise for what he sacrificed for their marriage. In the society of that time, it is a brave action. However, as the saying goes, human nature is hard to change. Nobody would believe, after the marriage, George was still a problem gambler. Even more frustrating was that, George was no longer in love Amelia as before after the marriage, which made the situation of Amelia not optimistic.
However, the unfortunate fate once again came to Amelia, George died on the battlefield. Thus, Amelia’s life was much more pessimistic, especially when she was a mother who spoiled her son. Amelia almost met any requirements from her son without hesitation. As the mother, there was no ground for blame. However such a living condition would not allow Amelia to keep being a good mother. At this time, the most sincere, gentle male role appeared--------Dobbin, repeatedly helped Amelia. Of course, the help was very direct-------money and Amelia repaid nothing for the gentlemen.来~自^751论+文.网www.751com.cn/
It is hard to understand what kind of views such a young widow will receive, but for her husband had died in battle, it is acceptable for the lady to find another backer. Amelia refused Dobbin on the one hand and firmly received the help from Dobbin on the other hand. The author also wrote Amelia’s thought here. She believed that as long as the Dobbin remained a friend, she would enjoy the Dobbin’s help. It is difficult to accept these behaviors from Amelia. Maybe it had been hard for her to let go of George. These kind acts of Amelia were too vulgar, and also made Dobbin helpless. 论《名利场》里的女性形象(2):http://www.751com.cn/yingyu/lunwen_75102.html