Amelia Sedley
Described by Dobbin as a gentle, soft mother; described by Lady O'Dowd as weak-spirited and plain. She is mentioned in letters to Dobbin, congratulating him on his supposed marriage and reportedly preparing for her own.
Described by Dobbin as a gentle, soft mother; described by Lady O'Dowd as weak-spirited and plain. She is mentioned in letters to Dobbin, congratulating him on his supposed marriage and reportedly preparing for her own.
Calculating, adaptable, charming, and cynical; she views social morality as a matter of financial security. She returns to the site of her former governess job as a family member, successfully manipulating Lady Jane, Sir Pitt, and Lady Southdown to secure her social standing.
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.
Lacking energy but proud; she is prone to meddling and holds long-term grudges when her authority is questioned. She quarrels bitterly with Amelia after trying to give the baby unapproved medicine and spends her time gossiping with the landlady.
Faithful and diligent. She stays in London to care for little Rawdon and prepares the house for the family's return.
Vain and boastful; he has reinvented his cowardice at Waterloo into a narrative of heroic military service in India. Mentioned as having returned to India, where he rose to the Revenue Board and provides a yearly allowance to his parents, though he reacts with rage to his father's business schemes.
A noble and beautiful young boy who is the center of his mother's world. He visits the Misses Dobbin at Denmark Hill, meets his aunt Jane, and receives a gold watch and chain.
Dignified, diplomatic, and proud of his new status and wealth. He manages the funeral with great ceremony and accepts Rawdon and Rebecca back into the family fold to maintain the house's dignity.
Faithful, quiet, and sentimental; he remains deeply in love with the memory of Amelia despite the years and distance. He politely endures Glorvina's attentions until a letter from home causes him to panic and rush back to England.
Feeble and lonely; she 'sold her heart' to marry Sir Pitt. She dies in the country, neglected by everyone except the younger Pitt Crawley.
A charming child of nearly four years. She is admired by Rebecca in the nursery.
Opportunistic; he transitions from butler to a local property owner and publican. He takes possession of the Crawley Arms and reconciles with the Rector.
The butler's daughter who was previously a favorite of the old Baronet. Mentioned as having avoided jail and married a saddler in Mudbury.
Disappointed by his small legacy, he remains under the thumb of his domineering wife while maintaining a public image of hospitality. He accompanies his wife to the Hall after Sir Pitt's stroke and sits down to drink rum with his son while his wife manages the crisis.
Sentimental about his past, increasingly respectful of his brother's wealth, and devoted to his wife and son. He returns home for his father's funeral, feeling a mix of remorse for his youth and obsequiousness toward his newly wealthy brother.
Kind, artless, affectionate, and a devoted mother. She warmly welcomes Rebecca and Rawdon, acting as a bridge of reconciliation within the family.
One of Bute's 'plain' daughters; an exquisite painter of flowers for charity. She participates in her mother's social campaigns to find a husband.
A lonely, middle-aged woman living under her father's strict control. She is resigned to a life of solitude after a failed secret romance. She manages her father's household in a state of constant fear, reflects on her sister's social climbing, and eventually meets her nephew Georgy, leading to an emotional outburst.
A former companion and governess who facilitated secret intrigues. Revealed to have been the confidante in Jane's romance with Mr. Smee before being dismissed by Mr. Osborne.
A calculating and diplomatic banker who prioritizes money and social advancement. He negotiates a larger settlement for his marriage to Maria and manages the family's social connections to the aristocracy.
Domineering, impetuous, and kind-hearted; a 'dragon' among the regiment's ladies who insists on having her own way. She manages the social life of the station and aggressively plots to marry her sister Glorvina to Major Dobbin.
Extravagant and prone to flirtation. Mentioned as being forced by Lady O'Dowd to end an affair and go on sick leave.
A retired servant who now runs a lodging-house; skeptical of the Crawleys. He hosts Miss Briggs and warns her against joining Rebecca's household.
A professional lawyer. He assists in the settlement of Rawdon's debts.
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.
Saucy, idle, and reckless with household supplies. She serves the household and is the subject of Mrs. Sedley's constant supervision and complaints.
A friendly neighbor and landlady. She hosts the Sedleys and gossips with Mrs. Sedley in the kitchen.
Vain, a self-proclaimed lady-killer. He is mocked by Rebecca and transfers his romantic attentions to Mrs. Brent.
Hardworking and humble. He is seen in his shirt-sleeves trimming the garden and watering rose-bushes.
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.
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.
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.
Vain and condescending toward 'vulgar' women. She waltzes with George but treats Amelia with visible contempt during dinner.
The British commander. Rumored to be a prisoner, though later confirmed to have repulsed the French.
Good-natured, talkative, and generous; he enjoys buying gifts for others. He suggests various dogs for Rebecca and gifts a Shetland pony to young Rawdon.
Cynical, wealthy, and observant of the social games in Vanity Fair. He visits Rebecca, mocks the deceased Sir Pitt, and observes the preparations for the funeral mourning.
Vain and socially ambitious, she distances herself from her 'vulgar' family to fit in with the West End elite. She marries Frederick Bullock, hosts parties for the 'nobs', and treats her father and sister with cold condescension.
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 local physician. He is summoned to Queen's Crawley to bleed the unconscious Sir Pitt.
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.
Slightly haughty regarding social class; daughter of the late Sir Pitt. She observes that Rebecca still knows her place as a former governess.
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.
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.
Pretentious and fond of showing off his literary knowledge. He attempts to quiz Amelia on literature and French during the party.
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'.
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.
A professional lawyer. He negotiates with Rebecca in London and compliments her business acumen.
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.
An acquaintance of Dobbin. Mentioned by Dobbin as someone he would send wedding cake to.
A servant at the coffee-house. He serves curacao to George Osborne at the Slaughters' Coffee-house.
A child in the street. Used in a metaphor by the narrator to illustrate how people follow money.
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.
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.
A clerk. He witnesses Mr. Osborne's new will.
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.
Observant clerk. He assists Mr. Higgs with the release papers and gossips about seeing George with a woman after the play.
A famous actor. He is mentioned as performing the role of Shylock, which George goes to see.
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.
Religious and inclined to hold sermons for the young men. Mentioned as having her 'little congregation' broken up by Lady O'Dowd's mockery.
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.
Frequently pregnant; a member of the regiment's social circle. She listens to Mrs. Magenis's gossip about George and Amelia.
Obedient and junior. He is sent on an errand by Mrs. O'Dowd to secure a dinner invitation for Jos Sedley.
A military physician fond of professional jokes. He attends the evening party and makes jokes about the new bride.
An officer of the 150th regiment. He helps Dobbin escort the intoxicated Jos Sedley back to the hotel.
Handsome, fresh-coloured, black-haired, and blue-eyed; an accomplished rider and musician who is desperate to find a husband. She 'lays siege' to Dobbin by singing, riding with him, and wearing a pink satin gown, but fails to win his heart.
The son of a bankrupt Imperial General who now drives a diligence. He drives the narrator and accepts a pennyworth of beer.
Elegant nobleman. Seen riding in the park with the Duke's entourage.
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.
The object of Isidor's affection. Mentioned as the intended recipient of the jewelry Isidor plans to steal from Jos.
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.
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.
A military leader. Reported killed in the battle.
Author of religious tracts; now living in Cape Town. Mentioned as the wife of a man hoping to become a Bishop.
A solicitor. He comes to Brighton to ratify the marriage deeds and settlement for Pitt and Lady Jane.
A college student with debts who enjoys hunting and drinking. He accompanies his parents to the Hall and helps his mother intimidate the Horrocks family while drinking his father's rum.
A professional boxer. He meets James on the coach and drinks with him at the inn, contributing to James's bad reputation.
A professional boxer. He drinks with James at the Tom Cribb's Arms.
A French noblewoman who spent time in England. She writes a letter to Miss Crawley praising Rebecca, which inadvertently enrages the old lady.
Hesitant and intimidated by Mr. Osborne's grief. He delivers the final letter from George to Mr. Osborne in Russell Square.
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.
A favorite of Amelia's. She acts as a 'mistress of ceremonies' to introduce Major Dobbin when he visits Amelia at the Clapps' house.
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.
A man living far beyond his means on a fixed salary. Used as an example of the 'living on nothing' phenomenon in Vanity Fair.
One of eleven children from a small squire's family. Mentioned as Jenkins' wife who brings no fortune to the marriage.
An unfortunate young officer. A victim of Rawdon's gambling who loses a considerable sum at the Crawleys' house.
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.
The new object of General Tufto's affection. She replaces Rebecca as the recipient of the General's gifts and attention.
Negligent and easily distracted by romance. She nearly allows young Rawdon to drown while she is distracted by a soldier in Calais.
A former butler who is industrious, frugal, and intensely loyal to the Crawley family to his own detriment. He purchases the lease of the Curzon Street house and allows the Crawleys to live there without paying rent, eventually leading to his financial ruin and imprisonment.
A former cook for Miss Crawley who helped her husband build a greengrocery business. She manages the kitchen for the Crawleys' dinner parties while her husband acts as butler.
A veteran of Waterloo and former subordinate of Rawdon. He facilitates the meeting between Rawdon and John Sedley in the park.
Compassionate and hardworking. She comforts little Rawdon in the night and takes care of him in the nursery.
A soft-hearted physician who becomes highly successful and fashionable over the years. He attends to Georgy's illnesses and observes Amelia's intense maternal devotion.
A personable young gentleman and 'slave' to Amelia's charm. He provides extra care and treats for Georgy, often visiting without charging fees.
A curate of Brompton. Reported in Ann Dobbin's letter as being the man Amelia is about to marry.
Critical and jealous of Amelia's popularity with men. She disparages Amelia's character to her brother, preferring the wealthy Miss Grits.
Powdered, courteous, and gallant; an old-fashioned French exile. He expresses hyperbolic admiration for Amelia, calling her a 'divine creature.'
Kind-hearted but gossipy sisters who facilitate the connection between Amelia and the Osborne family. They take Georgy to Denmark Hill and keep Jane Osborne informed about Amelia's life.
Beautiful and accomplished. Mentioned as the woman Major Dobbin is expected to marry in India.
Professional tailor. He arrives to measure Georgy for a new suit of clothes on Dobbin's orders.
One of Bute's daughters; a poet known as the 'County Bulbul.' She writes verses for the local newspaper to maintain the family's social standing.
One of Bute's daughters; a singer. She performs duets under her mother's rigid drilling.
One of Bute's daughters; a singer. She performs duets with Fanny.
Duplicitous; outwardly bland and gentle to her superiors but cruel and abusive to her senile patient in private. She nurses the elder Sir Pitt in his final days and announces his death to the new Baronet.
A servant at the Hall. She assists Mrs. Bute in searching Betsy Horrocks' room.
A servant at the Hall. He is ordered by Mrs. Bute to guard Betsy and prepare to drive her to jail.
Senile, physically incapacitated, and reduced to a whimpering state before his death. He spends his final months in a state of mental decay under the care of Hester before dying at the start of the chapter.
Liberal-minded but gossipy; daughter of the late Sir Pitt. She discusses Rebecca's improved appearance and social status with her sister.
Pale, heavy-eyed, and large-headed; frequently medicated. He is introduced to Rebecca in the nursery.
An ancient woman who has kept the lodge-gates for decades. She opens the gates for Rawdon and Rebecca's carriage.
A local tradesman in Mudbury. Mentioned as having his shutters up for the funeral; Rebecca recalls a past incident involving him.
A local girl who has grown up significantly since Rebecca last saw her. She stands by her mother's cottage as the carriage passes.
Minister of a chapel in May Fair. Mentioned by Rebecca to flatter Lady Southdown.
A portrait-painter and R.A. who was once a drawing master. He is mentioned in a flashback as Jane's former drawing master and secret lover who was violently expelled by Mr. Osborne.
The first-born son of Maria and Frederick Bullock. His christening serves as a point of contention between Mr. Osborne and the Bullocks.
Stout, good-tempered, and physically active despite age and heat; a brave officer who enjoys his meals and hookah. He resists his wife's pressure to force Dobbin into a marriage and eventually grants Dobbin leave to return to England.
Crabbed-handed, frank, and inclined to collect and share bad news. She writes the letter that informs Dobbin of Amelia's supposed engagement to Mr. Binny.
A victim of her husband's drunken rage. Mentioned as being sheltered by Lady O'Dowd after fleeing her husband.
An officer prone to drinking and violence. Mentioned as being cured of his drinking habit by Lady O'Dowd's intervention.
Wife of a judge, involved in a long-standing social feud with Lady O'Dowd. Mentioned as the rival who Lady O'Dowd refused to walk behind.
A cavalry officer. Mentioned as taking Glorvina to supper at the ball.
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.
A seaside town where Miss Crawley is recovering and where the struggle for her inheritance takes place.
A city in a state of total chaos, filled with fleeing aristocrats, praying women, and wounded soldiers.
The center of social life in 1815-16, filled with international military and aristocratic figures.
The location of the Rawdon Crawleys' small but fashionable London house.