Chapter 38: How to Live Well on Nothing a Year

Amelia Sedley

Grief-stricken, fragile, and entirely devoted to her maternal instincts. She suffers a mental and physical breakdown after George's death, eventually recovers after giving birth to her son, and returns to her parents' home in England.

Rebecca Crawley

Witty, calculating, socially ambitious, and a brilliant negotiator. She establishes a high social standing in Paris, manages the family's precarious finances, and travels to London to settle Rawdon's debts with his creditors for a small dividend.

Miss Pinkerton

Vindictive and full of information regarding her former pupils. She provides Mrs. Bute with damaging documents and letters regarding Rebecca's father and upbringing.

Sambo

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.

Miss Swartz

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.

Mrs. Sedley

Supportive of Dobbin's presence. She welcomes Amelia and the baby back to her home and encourages Dobbin's visits.

Miss Briggs

Meek, sentimental, and easily moved to tears of happiness. She continues to serve Miss Crawley and acts as the messenger who delivers the final dismissal to James.

Joseph Sedley

Welcoming to Dobbin. He hosts Amelia and the baby in his home.

George Osborne, Junior (the baby)

A healthy, active young boy who prefers his nurse to his mother. He is raised by a French foster-mother and later neglected by a maid in Calais while his parents navigate their social and financial schemes.

Sir Pitt Crawley

Dissolute, drunken, and vulgar; he has completely abandoned social decorum. He spends his time tippling with tenants and driving Miss Horrocks around in the family coach, causing a scandal.

Captain William Dobbin

Faithful, patient, selfless, and deeply in love with Amelia. He manages George's affairs, cares for Amelia during her illness, brings her back to England, and acts as godfather to her son before preparing to leave for a long period.

Lady Crawley

Feeble and lonely; she 'sold her heart' to marry Sir Pitt. She dies in the country, neglected by everyone except the younger Pitt Crawley.

Lady Southdown

Pompous, domineering, and obsessed with medical and spiritual tracts. She visits Miss Crawley and eventually takes over the management of the household after Pitt's marriage.

Mr. Horrocks

The butler who observes the family's scandals. He discusses Rawdon and Rebecca's behavior with Sir Pitt.

Betsy Horrocks

Vain and socially ambitious. She flaunts her influence over Sir Pitt with splendid ribbons and rides in the family carriage.

Reverend Bute Crawley

Good-natured but fond of hunting and port wine; somewhat lazy. He suggests sending James to Brighton to 'thrash' Pitt and win over the old lady.

Rawdon Crawley

A consummate master of billiards and cards, devoted father, but socially awkward in high French circles. He sells out of the army and supports his family through gambling winnings. He flees to Brussels to avoid creditors before Rebecca settles his affairs.

Lady Jane (Sir Pitt's wife)

Modest, sweet, innocent, and naturally good-natured. She becomes Miss Crawley's constant companion, singing to her and playing piquet, which secures the family's inheritance.

Mrs. Bute Crawley

Clever, managing, and sharp-tempered. She plots from the Rectory to send James to Brighton and regrets her past tactical errors with Miss Crawley's servants.

Miss Maria Osborne

Compliant with her father's strict household orders. She manages the household's transition into mourning and observes her father's behavior in church.

Miss Wirt

A fixture of the Osborne household who observes the family's internal dynamics. She dines in silence with the family, noting the empty place set for George.

Frederick Bullock

Cautious and socially sensitive. He avoids pressing for his marriage to Jane Osborne due to the family's mourning state.

Mrs. Major O'Dowd

Bold and fiercely loyal. She insults Rebecca in public, calling Rawdon a 'black-leg' (cheater).

Lieutenant Stubble

Young and eager. He marches with the regiment, bearing the colors.

Mr. Bowls

Dignified but capable of being shocked by the behavior of the younger Crawleys. He pays James's scandalous hotel bill and discovers the tobacco smoke that leads to James's expulsion.

Mr. Moss

A professional lawyer. He assists in the settlement of Rawdon's debts.

Napoleon

The formidable French leader whose advance causes the panic in Brussels. His movements and the rumors of his victory drive the plot and the characters' decisions to flee or stay.

Betty Flanagan

Friendly and welcoming. She welcomes Amelia home and serves wine to George's valet.

Mrs. Clapp

A supportive acquaintance from the lodgings. She attends the wedding to console Mrs. Sedley.

Sir George Tufto, K.C.B.

Vain, a self-proclaimed lady-killer. He is mocked by Rebecca and transfers his romantic attentions to Mrs. Brent.

Mr. Clapp

Hardworking and humble. He is seen in his shirt-sleeves trimming the garden and watering rose-bushes.

Isidor

Opportunistic and observant; he enjoys his master's terror as it allows him to claim abandoned valuables. He feeds Jos's fears with rumors of disaster, shaves Jos's mustachios, and eventually accompanies him on the flight to Ghent.

Lord Bareacres

An aristocrat who attempts to mediate between his wife and Rebecca. He personally visits Rebecca to negotiate for horses but fails. He eventually procures a pair of horses and flees to Ghent.

Countess of Bareacres

Arrogant and desperate; she is willing to swallow her pride only when her safety is at stake. She is forced to beg Rebecca for horses to escape the city, suffering public humiliation when Rebecca mocks her predicament.

Lady Blanche Thistlewood

Vain and condescending toward 'vulgar' women. She waltzes with George but treats Amelia with visible contempt during dinner.

Duke of Wellington

The British commander. Rumored to be a prisoner, though later confirmed to have repulsed the French.

Clement William

Worldly, a gambler, and a disappointment to his serious family. Described in backstory as a man who encumbered the family estate and enjoys cigars and Curacao.

Manager of the Performance

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.

Tom Fool

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.

Jack Puddings

A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.

Becky Puppet

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.

Amelia Doll

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.

Wicked Nobleman

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.

Old Nick

A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.

Miss Jemima Pinkerton

Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.

Laura Martin

A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.

Miss Saltire

A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.

Doctor Johnson

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.

Mr. Sharp

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.

Rebecca's Mother

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.

Reverend Mr. Crisp

Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.

Bonamy

A member of the service in India. Mentioned by Joseph as an excuse to leave the house and avoid the ladies.

Mulligatawney

A magistrate at Budgebudge and a friend of Joseph. Mentioned in Joseph's story about a past romantic pursuit in India.

Mrs. Blenkinsop

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.

Dr. Gollop

The family apothecary. Mentioned as attending to Joseph's severe hangover.

Reginald Cuff

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.

Dr. Swishtail

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.

Lady Dobbin

Socially active wife of the Alderman. Mentioned by Mrs. Sedley as being at Highbury with her daughters.

Mr. Brush

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.

Pinner

Observant servant. Mentioned by Mrs. Blenkinsop as having seen Rebecca snooping through drawers.

Simpson

A well-known, simple-minded figure at Vauxhall. Mentioned as the presiding spirit of Vauxhall Gardens.

Mrs. Salmon

A singer. Mentioned as performing a cantata at the gardens.

Mrs. Tinker

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.

Walpole Crawley

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.

Miss Rose Crawley

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.

Miss Violet Crawley

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'.

Young Cantab

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.

Mr. Hodson

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.

Peter Butt

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.

Lord Binkie

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.

Mr. Glauber

A country surgeon who is easily rebuffed. He proposes marriage to Rebecca and is promptly rejected.

Sir Huddleston Fuddleston

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.

Miss Tuffin

An eighteen-year-old scholar proficient in many languages including Syriac. Recommended by Miss Pinkerton as a potential governess for Lady Fuddleston.

Miss Letitia Hawky

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.

Flethers

Rawdon's servant. Mentioned as causing trouble in the housekeeper's room.

Captain Cannon

A military man and social companion of George Osborne. Mentioned as the person George is playing billiards with while Amelia waits for him.

Ensign Spooney

A tall youth in the Grenadier Company. He tries on a new bearskin cap and writes home to his parents before the regiment's departure.

Cackle

Pretentious and fond of showing off his literary knowledge. He attempts to quiz Amelia on literature and French during the party.

Mr. Chopper

A loyal and jovial clerk who respects the house of Osborne but enjoys the perks of military company. He witnesses Mr. Osborne's fit of rage, assists in the signing of the new will, and dines with Dobbin at the Slaughters'.

Mr. Hicks

The Osborne family butler. He is ordered to serve Champagne and later to call a coach for George.

Mr. Quill

Benevolent-looking but cynical. Winks at his colleague regarding Mr. Sedley's financial 'no go' status.

Mr. Driver

Cynical clerk. Confirms the dire financial status of Mr. Sedley to Mr. Quill.

the writing-master

A man with yellow hair and illegible handwriting who died years ago. Mentioned as the object of Miss Briggs's long-lost affection.

Miss Toady

Obsequious and socially calculating. Mentioned by the narrator as an example of the social climbing found in Vanity Fair.

Mrs. Briefless

Poor but of good family. Mentioned as the target of Miss Toady's flattery due to her grandfather's health.

Betty Martin

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.

Mr. Hammerdown

Loud, eloquent, and persuasive. He conducts the auction of the Sedley estate with theatrical flair.

Edward Dale

A potential suitor for Amelia mentioned by her mother. Mentioned as a better alternative to George Osborne.

Mr. Lewis

A professional lawyer. He negotiates with Rebecca in London and compliments her business acumen.

Miss Ann Dobbin

Sarcastic and prone to gossiping with her sisters. She mocks Dobbin's infatuation with Amelia and suggests he marry her himself.

Miss Bullock

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.

Mr. Clump

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).

Dr. Squills

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.

Mrs. Stokes

Communicative and gossipy. She tells Mrs. Bute about the dissolute life of Mr. Sharp and Rebecca's childhood in Greek Street.

the poodle

A pampered pet used as a distraction. Occupies a seat in the carriage during the confrontation in the Park.

John of the Tapioca

A weary, humble servant in a dismal establishment. He serves the patrons of the Tapioca Coffee-house.

Mrs. Haggistoun

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.

Major Wagstaff

An acquaintance of Dobbin. Mentioned by Dobbin as someone he would send wedding cake to.

John (waiter)

A servant at the coffee-house. He serves curacao to George Osborne at the Slaughters' Coffee-house.

Miss Mary Clapp

A child in the street. Used in a metaphor by the narrator to illustrate how people follow money.

Mr. Higgs

Cool, professional, and cynical; he has a low opinion of George's financial future. He processes George's request for his two thousand pounds and predicts George will end up in jail.

the old General

A feeble veteran of the Quebec campaign who prefers old military history to modern triumphs. He breakfasts with Dobbin and provides the advance warning that the regiment is moving to Belgium.

Mr. Birch

A clerk. He witnesses Mr. Osborne's new will.

George's valet

Supercilious and condescending toward those he deems social inferiors. He escorts Amelia to Fulham and receives a tip from Mr. Sedley with a mixture of wonder and contempt.

Mr. Poe

Observant clerk. He assists Mr. Higgs with the release papers and gossips about seeing George with a woman after the play.

Mr. Kean

A famous actor. He is mentioned as performing the role of Shylock, which George goes to see.

Major O'Dowd

Placid, dutiful, and fond of his rest and a quiet tumbler of punch. He prepares for the march, sleeps soundly before the assembly, and leads the regiment out of Brussels on his charger, Pyramus.

Mrs. Kirk

Strictly religious and judgmental; a follower of Dr. Ramshorn. She questions Amelia's spiritual state and gives her several religious tracts to read.

Mrs. Magenis

Uneducated but sharp-tongued; prone to bragging about her family's status. She attends the party and gossips with Mrs. Bunny about George Osborne's past.

Mrs. Bunny

Frequently pregnant; a member of the regiment's social circle. She listens to Mrs. Magenis's gossip about George and Amelia.

Ensign Simple

Obedient and junior. He is sent on an errand by Mrs. O'Dowd to secure a dinner invitation for Jos Sedley.

Old Cutler

A military physician fond of professional jokes. He attends the evening party and makes jokes about the new bride.

Captain Porter

An officer of the 150th regiment. He helps Dobbin escort the intoxicated Jos Sedley back to the hotel.

Glorvina

The sister of Mrs. O'Dowd. Mentioned by Mrs. O'Dowd as the woman she originally intended for George Osborne.

the postilion

The son of a bankrupt Imperial General who now drives a diligence. He drives the narrator and accepts a pennyworth of beer.

Lord Uxbridge

Elegant nobleman. Seen riding in the park with the Duke's entourage.

Pauline

A loyal servant and emotional young woman. She prays for her lover at church and later hides him in the kitchen, feeding him while he recounts the battle.

Mademoiselle Reine

The object of Isidor's affection. Mentioned as the intended recipient of the jewelry Isidor plans to steal from Jos.

Regulus Van Cutsum

A Belgian hussar who lacks military courage; more interested in food and safety than glory. He deserts his regiment and returns to Pauline's kitchen in Brussels, where he tells exaggerated stories of the British army's total destruction, further panicking Jos.

Tom Stubble

Gallant and simple-hearted; he is deeply grateful to Dobbin and Osborne. He is brought back to Brussels wounded after defending the colors. He provides Amelia with the first reliable news that George and Dobbin survived the initial engagement at Quatre Bras.

Duke of Brunswick

A military leader. Reported killed in the battle.

Lady Emily

Enthusiastic, judgmental, and a prolific writer of religious tracts. She pushes for an immediate and aggressive spiritual conversion of Miss Crawley, much to Pitt's alarm.

Mr. Waxy

A solicitor. He comes to Brighton to ratify the marriage deeds and settlement for Pitt and Lady Jane.

James Crawley

Rowdy, fond of sports and drinking, awkward around ladies, and lacking social tact. He is sent to Brighton to win over Miss Crawley but ruins his chances by drinking gin with boxers and smoking a pipe in the house.

Tutbury Pet

A professional boxer. He meets James on the coach and drinks with him at the inn, contributing to James's bad reputation.

Rottingdean Fibber

A professional boxer. He drinks with James at the Tom Cribb's Arms.

Duchess of X

A French noblewoman who spent time in England. She writes a letter to Miss Crawley praising Rebecca, which inadvertently enrages the old lady.

Sir William Dobbin

Hesitant and intimidated by Mr. Osborne's grief. He delivers the final letter from George to Mr. Osborne in Russell Square.

The Sergeant

Respectful and knowledgeable about the regiment's actions. He acts as a guide for Mr. Osborne, taking him through the battlefields of Waterloo and Quatre Bras.

Mary Box

A favorite of Amelia's. She acts as a 'mistress of ceremonies' to introduce Major Dobbin when he visits Amelia at the Clapps' house.

Mrs. Grundy

A personification of the judgmental, observant world. The narrator uses this figure to represent the collective curiosity of society regarding how people afford their lifestyles.

Jenkins

A man living far beyond his means on a fixed salary. Used as an example of the 'living on nothing' phenomenon in Vanity Fair.

Miss Flint

One of eleven children from a small squire's family. Mentioned as Jenkins' wife who brings no fortune to the marriage.

Green

An unfortunate young officer. A victim of Rawdon's gambling who loses a considerable sum at the Crawleys' house.

Colonel O'Dowd

Protective of his junior officers and blunt. He warns Lieutenant Spooney about the Crawleys and has a violent public argument with Rawdon at a cafe.

Mrs. Brent

The new object of General Tufto's affection. She replaces Rebecca as the recipient of the General's gifts and attention.

Mademoiselle Genevieve

Negligent and easily distracted by romance. She nearly allows young Rawdon to drown while she is distracted by a soldier in Calais.

Russell Square

The large, gloomy, and respectable residence of Mr. Osborne, filled with expensive plate and mournful echoes.

Great Gaunt Street

A gloomy London street characterized by tall houses with hatchments, where death seems to reign perpetual.

Queen's Crawley

The family estate of the Crawleys, featuring an old library filled with 18th-century literature and extensive grounds including shrubberies and farms.

Mudbury

A location four miles from Queen's Crawley where the family carriage meets the stagecoach.

Pumpernickel

A small German duchy located in a happy valley along the Pump River, known for its Court, mineral springs, and theatre.

Park Lane

Miss Crawley's London residence, currently darkened and silenced by Mrs. Bute's orders.

Brompton

The location of the small, comfortable lodgings where Rawdon and Rebecca live in secret.

Hyde Park

A public park in London where the elite gather to see and be seen.

Slaughters' Coffee-house

A London establishment in St. Martin's Lane where Jos and Dobbin stay.

Fulham

The location of the humble cottage where the ruined Sedleys now reside.

Brighton

A seaside town where Miss Crawley is recovering and where the struggle for her inheritance takes place.

Brussels

A city in a state of total chaos, filled with fleeing aristocrats, praying women, and wounded soldiers.

Paris

The center of social life in 1815-16, filled with international military and aristocratic figures.

Vanity Fair

Chiswick Mall

Miss Pinkerton's Academy

Soho

Boggley Wollah

Vauxhall

Dr. Swishtail’s Academy

Thames Street

Vauxhall Gardens

Joseph Sedley's Lodgings

The Trafalgar Coach

Leakington

The Rectory

Queen's Crawley (The Hall)

The Osborne House

Cheltenham

Chatham Barracks

Mr. Osborne's House

Hulker & Bullock's Bank

Old Slaughters'

St. Adelaide Villas

The Sedleys' New House

The Slaughters'

Chatham

Minerva House

Greek Street

The Sedley's Cottage

Tapioca Coffee-house

Chapel near Fulham Road

Ship Inn

London

The Study

The Beach at Brighton

Hotel in Cavendish Square

Bedford Row

Lombard Street

The Inn at Chatham

Mrs. O'Dowd's Quarters

Ostend

Bruges

Ghent

The Park, Brussels

Brussels Opera-house

The Duchess's Ball

Hotel du Parc

Jos Sedley’s Lodgings

The Parc

Waterloo

The Albany

Queen's Crawley Rectory

Tom Cribb's Arms

Waterloo and Quatre Bras

Laeken

Curzon Street, May Fair

Calais