Gentle, modest, and kind. Though not present, she is the central subject of the quarrel; her name on a music book triggers the climax of the chapter.
Clever, spirited, and desperate; a 'lost woman' in the eyes of the Crawley family. She attempts to appeal to Miss Crawley's emotions during a carriage passing in the Park but is ignored.
Vindictive and full of information regarding her former pupils. She provides Mrs. Bute with damaging documents and letters regarding Rebecca's father and upbringing.
A loyal servant who eventually seeks to start his own business. He follows Amelia on her walks and later decides to set up a public-house after being discharged.
Wealthy, simple-minded, good-natured, and emotionally warm; she is easily flattered by the Osborne sisters. She visits the Osbornes, sings for them, and inadvertently triggers a fight when she discovers Amelia Sedley's name on a piece of music and expresses her affection for her old school friend.
Practical and gossipy; she harbors deep resentment toward the Osborne family for their perceived ingratitude. She facilitates the reunion of the lovers and discusses the logistics of the marriage with Dobbin.
Sentimental and easily swayed by flattery and promises of future benefit. She assists Mrs. Bute and feels a pang of sympathy when seeing Rawdon and Rebecca in the Park.
Ruined, bitter, and slightly crazed by his financial loss; he is obsessed with political conspiracies and his hatred for Mr. Osborne. He rants about the Emperor of Austria and Napoleon at the coffee-house and initially forbids Amelia's marriage before being softened by Dobbin.
Obstinate, haughty, and courageous; though vain, he shows a sense of honor and genuine devotion to Amelia when pressured. He resists his father's 'hint' to marry Miss Swartz, mocks her appearance, defends Amelia's character against his family, and finally breaks with his father to marry Amelia.
Vulgar and prone to violent rages; he is driven mad by the realization that his son married the woman he wanted for himself. He arrives in London to take Rebecca back to Queen's Crawley, only to find she has married his son, leading him into a blind fury.
Loyal, fanatical admirer of George, and steadfast friend. He listens to George's account of the quarrel at the Slaughters' Coffee-house.
Feeble and lonely; she 'sold her heart' to marry Sir Pitt. She dies in the country, neglected by everyone except the younger Pitt Crawley.
Nervous, easily frightened, physically frail, and secretly terrified of her 'victimizer' Mrs. Bute. She remains bedridden and oppressed by Mrs. Bute's strict regimen until she is forced into carriage rides to avoid Rawdon.
The butler who observes the family's scandals. He discusses Rawdon and Rebecca's behavior with Sir Pitt.
Daughter of the butler at Queen's Crawley. Mentioned as taking some of Rebecca's abandoned belongings after Sir Pitt's rampage.
A tall, stately, popular man who loves boxing, horse-racing, and good dinners; he is perpetually in debt and resentful of his brother. He expresses his deep disdain for his nephew Rawdon and his brother Sir Pitt while obsessing over his sister Matilda's future legacy.
Selfish and blunt; lacks the social finesse to manage servants, whom he treats with contempt. He is publicly snubbed by his aunt in the Park and realizes he has been 'done' out of her favor.
The woman to whom Pitt Crawley is attached. Mentioned as the reason Pitt Crawley's interest in Rebecca is only 'friendly'.
Calculating, manipulative, tireless, and domineering; an expert at using 'fine words' to manage social inferiors. She takes over Miss Crawley's nursing, systematically blackens Rawdon's character, and prevents any communication from the newlyweds to secure the inheritance.
Spiteful and socially ambitious. She insults Amelia's family to Miss Swartz and plays 'The Battle of Prague' to annoy George.
Socially climbing and focused on the peerage. She sits with the chaperon, conning over the peerage and encouraging the match with the heiress.
Pragmatic, cynical, and business-minded. He advises Mr. Osborne to have George marry Miss Swartz quickly before a nobleman takes her, despite a brief moment of pity for Amelia.
Ambitious and determined to follow the regiment. She prepares to share the military campaign with her husband.
Young officer who views George as an 'Apollo'. Participates in the mess-room gossip regarding George's love life.
Compliant with the new household order. He puts away the door knocker to ensure the house remains silent.
A professional wag and bidder. He heckles the auctioneer during the sale of the elephant portrait.
The historical catalyst whose military movements cause the financial and social shifts in the story. His landing at Cannes triggers the fall of the funds that ruins John Sedley.
Kind and observant. She celebrates Amelia's return to health and is kissed by her in a moment of joy.
Self-aware and critical; he views himself as a fellow sinner among his audience. He interrupts the narrative to explain his authorial philosophy and his intent to punish his 'villainous' characters.
A weary performer and family man who works as a tumbler. He is seen washing off his face paint and eating dinner with his family behind the scenes.
A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.
Described as uncommonly flexible in the joints and lively on the wire. Mentioned by the Manager as one of the lead puppets in the upcoming show.
Carved and dressed with great care, though she has a smaller circle of admirers than Becky. Mentioned by the Manager as a carefully crafted figure in the performance.
A richly dressed figure representing high-status villainy. Mentioned as a character who will be taken away by Old Nick at the end of the play.
A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.
Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.
A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.
A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.
A famous historical figure whose past visit to the school is the source of Miss Pinkerton's prestige. Mentioned as the author of the dictionary and the school's patron spirit.
A clever, dissolute artist, prone to drunkenness and debt. Described in backstory as the man who taught Rebecca her wit and social survival skills before dying of delirium tremens.
A French opera dancer of humble origins. Mentioned as the source of Rebecca's French fluency and the subject of Rebecca's lies about noble Gascon ancestry.
Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.
A member of the service in India. Mentioned by Joseph as an excuse to leave the house and avoid the ladies.
A magistrate at Budgebudge and a friend of Joseph. Mentioned in Joseph's story about a past romantic pursuit in India.
Extremely loyal and devoted to the Sedley family. She refuses to leave the Sedleys despite their ruin and follows them to their humble new home.
The family apothecary. Mentioned as attending to Joseph's severe hangover.
A dashing, athletic, and arrogant school bully who is talented in Latin and French but uses his status to tyrannize younger boys. He bullies George Osborne and is subsequently defeated by Dobbin in a thirteen-round boxing match, later showing magnanimity by taking the blame.
The headmaster of the academy, described as somewhat intimidated by his top students. He presides over the school and awards Dobbin a prize-book for his academic progress.
Socially active wife of the Alderman. Mentioned by Mrs. Sedley as being at Highbury with her daughters.
Solemn, correct, and grave; possesses the 'gravity of an undertaker.' He attends to the hungover Joseph and reports his master's wild behavior to George Osborne.
Observant servant. Mentioned by Mrs. Blenkinsop as having seen Rebecca snooping through drawers.
A well-known, simple-minded figure at Vauxhall. Mentioned as the presiding spirit of Vauxhall Gardens.
A singer. Mentioned as performing a cantata at the gardens.
Sullen, blunt, and accustomed to the Baronet's miserly ways; she acts as a servant and temporary companion to Sir Pitt. She fetches tobacco for Sir Pitt, shares a meal with him, and chaperones Rebecca during her night in London.
A 'jolly fellow' and former baronet who was fined for peculation. Mentioned as the ancestor whose legal troubles and extravagance led to the family's current financial embarrassment.
Fond of books and light literature; more studious than her sister. She reads French and English novels with Rebecca, often hiding the scandalous nature of the books from her brother.
Rude, boisterous, and adventurous; a tomboy who enjoys riding colts and robbing nests. She is managed by Rebecca through a system of bribes and kept secrets regarding her various 'peccadilloes'.
A student from Cambridge who is friendly and enjoys mocking Sir Pitt. He offers Rebecca his coat during the rain and takes over driving the coach to spite Sir Pitt.
Sir Pitt's hind or farm manager. He rides in the carriage with Sir Pitt, discusses farm business, and whips two local boys for gathering sticks.
A young man who turned to smuggling and poaching after being rejected by Rose Dawson. Mentioned as the man Rose gave up to marry Sir Pitt.
A nobleman and diplomat; grandfather and patron to Pitt Crawley. Mentioned as the person who introduced Pitt to public life and served as his employer.
A country surgeon who is easily rebuffed. He proposes marriage to Rebecca and is promptly rejected.
A local baronet who wheezes at dinner. He attends the dinner parties at the Hall and is slighted by Miss Crawley in favor of Rebecca.
An eighteen-year-old scholar proficient in many languages including Syriac. Recommended by Miss Pinkerton as a potential governess for Lady Fuddleston.
A twenty-nine-year-old scholar with red hair and a pitted face. Recommended by Miss Pinkerton as a less 'objectionable' (less attractive) governess option.
Rawdon's servant. Mentioned as causing trouble in the housekeeper's room.
A military man and social companion of George Osborne. Mentioned as the person George is playing billiards with while Amelia waits for him.
Young officer who admires George's reputation. Speculates about George's secret female correspondent in the mess-room.
Gossip-monger. Insults the reputation of George's correspondent, prompting Dobbin's outburst.
Reliable clerk. Mentioned as the person George goes to for money in the City.
The Osborne family butler. He is ordered to serve Champagne and later to call a coach for George.
Benevolent-looking but cynical. Winks at his colleague regarding Mr. Sedley's financial 'no go' status.
Cynical clerk. Confirms the dire financial status of Mr. Sedley to Mr. Quill.
A man with yellow hair and illegible handwriting who died years ago. Mentioned as the object of Miss Briggs's long-lost affection.
Obsequious and socially calculating. Mentioned by the narrator as an example of the social climbing found in Vanity Fair.
Poor but of good family. Mentioned as the target of Miss Toady's flattery due to her grandfather's health.
A simple maid from Hampshire who is easily bribed. She discovers Rebecca's empty room and the letter on the pincushion, having been bribed by Rebecca to assist in the secret arrangements.
Loud, eloquent, and persuasive. He conducts the auction of the Sedley estate with theatrical flair.
A potential suitor for Amelia mentioned by her mother. Mentioned as a better alternative to George Osborne.
An agent or bidder. He acts as the agent who secures the piano for Captain Dobbin.
Sarcastic and prone to gossiping with her sisters. She mocks Dobbin's infatuation with Amelia and suggests he marry her himself.
A 'strong-minded' woman used as a foil to Amelia's fragility. Referenced by the narrator as someone who would not let her heart break over a man.
Bland, observant, and professional; more concerned with his 'two hundred a year' than the patient's actual comfort. He advises Mrs. Bute to take Miss Crawley out for fresh air to prevent her death (and the loss of his fees).
Cynical and clinical; evaluates Rebecca's physical 'development' and predicts Miss Crawley's demise. He consults with Clump and warns that Mrs. Bute's management will kill the patient.
Communicative and gossipy. She tells Mrs. Bute about the dissolute life of Mr. Sharp and Rebecca's childhood in Greek Street.
A pampered pet used as a distraction. Occupies a seat in the carriage during the confrontation in the Park.
A weary, humble servant in a dismal establishment. He serves the patrons of the Tapioca Coffee-house.
A social guardian and ward-manager. She is offered a five thousand pound bribe by Mr. Osborne to facilitate the marriage between George and Rhoda.
The large, gloomy, and respectable residence of Mr. Osborne, filled with expensive plate and mournful echoes.
A gloomy London street characterized by tall houses with hatchments, where death seems to reign perpetual.
The family estate of the Crawleys, featuring an old library filled with 18th-century literature and extensive grounds including shrubberies and farms.
A location four miles from Queen's Crawley where the family carriage meets the stagecoach.
A small German duchy located in a happy valley along the Pump River, known for its Court, mineral springs, and theatre.
Miss Crawley's London residence, currently darkened and silenced by Mrs. Bute's orders.
The location of the small, comfortable lodgings where Rawdon and Rebecca live in secret.
A public park in London where the elite gather to see and be seen.
A London establishment in St. Martin's Lane where Jos and Dobbin stay.
The location of the humble cottage where the ruined Sedleys now reside.