Chapter 1: Chiswick Mall

This chapter
Characters 18
Places 3
Amelia Sedley, a wealthy and beloved student, and Becky Sharp, a cynical articled pupil, depart from Miss Pinkerton's academy for young ladies. While Amelia receives a tearful and warm farewell from her peers and a pompous send-off from Miss Pinkerton, Becky displays cold defiance toward the headmistress. As their carriage drives away, Becky shocks Miss Jemima by throwing her gift of a dictionary back into the school garden.

On stage

Amelia Sedley Amelia prepares to leave Miss Pinkerton's academy, receiving emotional farewells from her friends and a formal send-off from Miss Pinkerton.
Rebecca Sharp Becky leaves the school alongside Amelia, defiantly refusing Miss Pinkerton's cold gesture of a single finger-shake and throwing her gift of a dictionary back into the garden as they drive away.
Miss Pinkerton She oversees Amelia's departure with great ceremony and pomposity while treating Becky Sharp with cold disdain.
Miss Jemima Pinkerton She assists with the departure preparations, tries to give Becky a dictionary against her sister's wishes, and provides sandwiches for the journey.
Sambo He arrives with the coach to collect Amelia and helps pack the trunks.
Miss Swartz She cries hysterically at Amelia's departure and has to be treated with salvolatile.
Miss Saltire She acknowledges Amelia's genteel figure and asks her to write.
Laura Martin She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in letters.
Miss Briggs Mentioned as someone who, despite being envious, never spoke ill of Amelia.
The fat coachman He drives the coach to the academy and sneers at Becky's old trunk.
The dancing-master He arrives at the hall during the chaotic farewell scene.

Mentioned

John Sedley He is mentioned as the person to whom the school bill should be sent.
Mrs. Sedley She is mentioned as the recipient of a letter from Miss Pinkerton and some gillyflower water.
Doctor Samuel Johnson He is frequently mentioned by Miss Pinkerton to bolster her own status.
Mrs. Chapone Mentioned as a distinguished correspondent of Miss Pinkerton.
Miss Birch Mentioned as one of the few occasions Miss Pinkerton wrote a personal letter.
Dr. Floss Mentioned as being sent for to treat Miss Swartz.
Jones The narrator imagines him critiquing the sentimentality of the chapter.

Settings

Miss Pinkerton's Academy A stately old brick house with a great iron gate and a brass plate, located on Chiswick Mall. It serves as an academy for young ladies.
Chiswick Mall The street in London where Miss Pinkerton's academy is located.
Russell Square The location in London where Becky Sharp is expected to stay for ten days before starting her new job.
Main 6

Amelia Sedley

Also known as: Emmy, Mrs. George, Mrs. Osborne, the Widow Osborne, Mrs. George Osborne

A young lady with a kind, gentle, and generous heart, though she is prone to frequent crying. She is the daughter of John Sedley, a wealthy London merchant. She has spent six years at Miss Pinkerton's academy, where she excelled in music, dancing, and needlework, though she struggled with geography. She is described as having round red cheeks and sparkling eyes.

John Sedley daughterMrs. Sedley daughterMiss Pinkerton pupilMiss Jemima Pinkerton pupil and friendBecky Sharp friend and schoolmate +6 more
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Rebecca Sharp

Also known as: Becky Sharp, Miss Sharp, the person, Mrs. Rebecca, Mrs. Rawdon Crawley, Mrs. Crawley, The Nightingale, Madame de Raudon, Madame Rebecque, Lady Crawley

An articled pupil at Miss Pinkerton's academy who is leaving to become a governess. She is pale, speaks perfect French, and possesses a sharp, defiant personality. Unlike Amelia, she is not well-liked by the staff or students, except for Amelia and Jemima.

Amelia Sedley friend and schoolmateMiss Pinkerton pupil and antagonistMiss Jemima Pinkerton pupilJohn Sedley guestMrs. Sedley guest +3 more
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Sambo

A black servant of the Sedley family who assists with the carriage and luggage. He has bandy legs and a cheerful disposition.

Amelia Sedley servantJohn Sedley servantMrs. Sedley servantRebecca Sharp admirer of her politeness
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John Sedley

A wealthy London merchant and father of Amelia Sedley.

Amelia Sedley fatherMrs. Sedley husbandRebecca Sharp benefactor
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Mrs. Sedley

The mother of Amelia Sedley.

Amelia Sedley motherJohn Sedley wifeRebecca Sharp hostess
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Miss Briggs

Also known as: Arabella, Miss B.

A student at the academy.

Amelia Sedley friendRebecca Sharp rival
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Secondary 7

Miss Pinkerton

Also known as: The Semiramis of Hammersmith, Minerva

The majestic and pompous headmistress of an academy for young ladies. She is a friend of Doctor Johnson and Mrs. Chapone, and prides herself on her dignity and the reputation of her school. She is described as having a Roman nose and wearing a large turban.

Miss Jemima Pinkerton sisterAmelia Sedley teacherRebecca Sharp teacher and antagonistDoctor Samuel Johnson friendMrs. Chapone correspondent
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Miss Jemima Pinkerton

Also known as: Miss Jemmy

The good-natured, nervous, and withered sister of Miss Pinkerton. She handles the practical household duties of the academy and is much more soft-hearted than her sister.

Miss Pinkerton sisterAmelia Sedley teacher and friendRebecca Sharp teacher and benefactor
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Miss Swartz

Also known as: Rhoda Swartz

A rich, woolly-haired mulatto student from St. Kitt's and a parlour-boarder at the academy. She is very emotional and prone to hysterics.

Amelia Sedley friend
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Miss Saltire

A student at the academy and granddaughter of the Earl of Dexter. She is described as "high and mighty" and somewhat shabby.

Amelia Sedley friend
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Laura Martin

A young orphan student at the academy who is very attached to Amelia.

Amelia Sedley friend and 'child' figure
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The fat coachman

A fat man in a three-cornered hat and wig who drives the Sedley family coach.

John Sedley servant
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The dancing-master

A teacher who arrives for a lesson just as the girls are leaving.

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Mentioned 5
Doctor Samuel Johnson He is frequently mentioned by Miss Pinkerton to bolster her own status.
Mrs. Chapone Mentioned as a distinguished correspondent of Miss Pinkerton.
Miss Birch Mentioned as one of the few occasions Miss Pinkerton wrote a personal letter.
Dr. Floss Mentioned as being sent for to treat Miss Swartz.
Jones Mentioned as a hypothetical neighbor whose ability to make ends meet is a source of wonder.
Main 2

Miss Pinkerton's Academy

A stately old brick house with a great iron gate and a brass plate, located on Chiswick Mall. It serves as an academy for young ladies.

  • Amelia Sedley and Becky Sharp prepare to leave the school.
  • Miss Pinkerton delivers a formal farewell to Amelia.
  • Becky Sharp defies Miss Pinkerton in the drawing-room.
  • The students and servants gather in the hall for a tearful goodbye.
Chapter 1

Russell Square

The location in London where Becky Sharp is expected to stay for ten days before starting her new job.

  • Mentioned in Miss Pinkerton's letter as Becky's destination.
  • The carriage arrives here at the end of the chapter, and Amelia welcomes Rebecca into her home.
  • Rebecca meets Joseph Sedley for the first time.
  • The family and Rebecca have a dinner featuring Indian curry and chilis.
  • Rebecca sings at the piano while Joseph sneaks out to the theater.
  • Rebecca charms the family and servants.
  • Joseph and George visit.
  • A thunderstorm keeps the young people at home while the parents go out to dinner.
  • Rebecca and Joseph share a moment over a green silk purse.
  • The characters gather for dinner before going to Vauxhall.
  • Captain Dobbin arrives and meets the adult Amelia for the first time.
  • The party prepares for Vauxhall.
  • Amelia and Rebecca wait for Joseph's return.
  • Rebecca receives Joseph's rejection letter and leaves the house.
  • Amelia spends her time here dreaming of George and writing him letters.
  • Captain Dobbin visits and finds Amelia alone and sad.
  • Amelia dines with the Osborne family in a tense and gloomy atmosphere.
  • Mr. Osborne tells George he will not allow the marriage unless Amelia's dowry is paid.
  • Miss Crawley and Rebecca visit Amelia here in her carriage.
  • Rebecca uses a visit here as an alibi for her secret wedding.
  • John Sedley reveals the family's ruin to his wife here.
  • The house is seized and the furniture sold.
  • Mentioned as the home of the 'black-browed old tyrant' John Osborne.
  • Mr. Osborne flatters Miss Swartz and bribes Mrs. Haggistoun.
  • Miss Swartz discovers Amelia's name on a music book.
  • George and his father have a violent confrontation over dinner regarding Amelia and Miss Swartz.
  • Captain Dobbin visits the house to speak with Jane Osborne and reveal the secret of George's marriage.
  • The family shares a silent, gloomy dinner after the news of the marriage.
  • Mr. Osborne retires to his study to burn his will and alter the family Bible.
  • Mr. Osborne receives George's final letter here.
  • The family lives in seclusion following the news of Waterloo.
  • Mr. Osborne and Jane live here in silence and tension.
  • Jane Osborne meets her nephew Georgy here (or nearby) and later tells her father about him.
  • Mr. Osborne meditates on his grandson and sends a proposal for adoption.
  • Maria Bullock visits her father to ask for money.
  • Mr. Osborne receives Amelia's letter and triumphs over her surrender.
  • George's old room is reopened and prepared for his son.
  • Georgy arrives to live with his grandfather.
  • Georgy establishes himself as the heir and master of the house.
  • Mr. Osborne hosts dinners where Georgy's precocious behavior is displayed.
  • Georgy fights Master Toffy in the square.
  • Mr. Osborne dies of a fit here.
  • Amelia and Georgy visit the empty house before it is closed up.
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Secondary 1

Chiswick Mall

The street in London where Miss Pinkerton's academy is located.

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