Main 9
Amelia Sedley
Also known as: Miss Sedley, Amelia, Miss Emmy, Miss Amelia, the gentle tender-hearted Amelia Sedley, Emmy
Kind-hearted and somewhat naive; she loves her brother and friend dearly. She introduces Rebecca to Joseph and tries to facilitate their interaction, unaware of the depth of Rebecca's calculations.
Rebecca Sharp Close friend and schoolmateMiss Pinkerton StudentMr. Sedley daughterMrs. Sedley daughterLaura Martin mother-figure/protector
+5 more
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5
Rebecca Crawley
Also known as: Miss Sharp, Rebecca, Becky, Becky Sharp, Miss Rebecca, the heroine of this work
+6 másWitty, calculating, and determined; she is an orphan who must rely on her own cleverness to secure a husband and social standing. She performs the role of a modest, innocent girl to attract Joseph. She endures the physical pain of eating spicy Indian food to please the Sedley men and sings at the piano to charm the household.
Amelia Sedley Friend and traveling companionMiss Pinkerton Articled pupil and antagonistMiss Pinkerton adversary/former studentAmelia Sedley friend and 'sister'Mr. Sharp daughter
+2 more
Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5
Miss Pinkerton
Also known as: The Semiramis of Hammersmith, the majestic lady, Semiramis of Hammersmith, friend of Doctor Johnson, correspondent of Mrs. Chapone, pompous old Minerva
+6 másPompous, authoritative, and easily outmaneuvered by Rebecca's defiance. She is described in flashbacks as having been defeated by Rebecca's refusal to teach music and her use of French to mock her.
Miss Jemima Pinkerton SisterMiss Jemima sister/superior
Chapters 2, 3, 4
Sambo
Also known as: the black servant, the black footman
A servant in the Sedley household. He serves the dinner and provides water to Rebecca after she eats the chili.
Mr. Sedley servant
Chapters 3, 4, 5
Miss Swartz
A wealthy, emotional, and generous parlour-boarder from St. Kitt's. She is devastated by Amelia's departure, falling into a fit of hysterical tears that requires medical attention.
Amelia Sedley devoted friend
Chapter 3
Mrs. Sedley
Also known as: Amelia's mother, mother
A kind mother who has already begun planning her daughter's social settlement. She prepares the Indian dinner for Joseph and observes his shyness with concern.
Mr. Sedley wifeJoseph Sedley Mother
Chapters 3, 4, 5
Miss Briggs
An envious pupil. Mentioned as someone who, despite her envy, never spoke ill of Amelia.
Chapter 3
Joseph Sedley
Also known as: Jos, Joseph, Mr. Joseph Sedley, the Indian nabob, Joe, Mr. Joseph
+6 másA stout, vain, and incredibly shy man who serves as a collector in India; he is a bon-vivant who loves fine food but suffers from a liver complaint. He is the target of Rebecca's romantic schemes. He is flustered by her presence, eats a large dinner, and eventually flees to the theater to avoid the pressure of her company.
Amelia Sedley brotherRebecca Sharp Target of her romantic pursuitAmelia Sedley Older brotherJoseph Sedley Father
Chapters 4, 5, 3
Captain William Dobbin
Appears clumsy but dances in an amusing and natural manner. Mentioned by the Manager as a puppet in the show.
Chapter 1
Secondary 16
Manager of the Performance
Also known as: the manager, the Manager
Reflective, melancholy, and observant; he serves as the narrator/presenter of the story. He sits before the curtain, observes the fair, and introduces the puppets and the moral tone of the performance to the audience.
Chapter 1
Tom Fool
Also known as: poor Tom Fool, yonder behind the waggon
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 family member
Chapter 1
Jack Puddings
Also known as: little Jack Puddings, the little Jack Puddings
A child performer belonging to a family of tumblers. He sits behind the canvas with Tom Fool during dinner.
Tom Fool family member
Chapter 1
Becky Puppet
Also known as: famous little 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.
Chapter 1
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.
Chapter 1
Wicked Nobleman
Also known as: richly dressed figure of the 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 adversary/victim
Chapter 1
Old Nick
A figure representing the devil or a collector of souls. Mentioned as the one who will fetch away the Wicked Nobleman.
Wicked Nobleman captor
Chapter 1
Miss Jemima Pinkerton
Also known as: Miss Jemima, Jemima, the elder sister, Honest Jemima, Miss Jemmy, the astonished Miss Jemima
Good-humored, foolishly kind, and generous. She is mentioned as the target of Rebecca's mockery despite her previous kindness.
Miss Pinkerton Sister and subordinateMiss Pinkerton sister/subordinate
Chapters 2, 3, 4
Laura Martin
Also known as: little Laura Martin, the orphan
A young orphan student who is deeply attached to Amelia. She follows Amelia around and promises to call her 'Mamma' in her letters.
Amelia Sedley devoted admirer
Chapter 3
Miss Saltire
Also known as: Lord Dexter's granddaughter
A high-born but somewhat shabby and haughty student. She asks Amelia to send letters to her via her grandfather to save on postage.
Chapter 3
Doctor Johnson
Also known as: the great Lexicographer, Samuel 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.
Chapter 3
Mr. Sharp
Also known as: Rebecca's father
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 Sharp father
Chapter 4
Rebecca's Mother
Also known as: the opera-girl
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.
Rebecca Sharp motherMr. Sharp wife
Chapter 4
Reverend Mr. Crisp
Also known as: Mr. Crisp, darling boy
Infatuated and easily led. Mentioned in a backstory regarding a scandalous intercepted note he sent to Rebecca.
Chapter 4
Bonamy
A member of the service in India. Mentioned by Joseph as an excuse to leave the house and avoid the ladies.
Chapter 5
Mulligatawney
A magistrate at Budgebudge and a friend of Joseph. Mentioned in Joseph's story about a past romantic pursuit in India.
Joseph Sedley Friend and colleague
Chapter 5