Becky Sharp 🔒 Members

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Age and build

described as little and small-framed

“the little woman's eyes sparkle with pleasure” (Vanity Fair, part 36)

youthful appearance in early adulthood

“a young person of no ordinary cleverness” (Vanity Fair, part 2)

Face and hair

small, slight, pale and sandy haired, with large green eyes cast down

“She was small and slight in person; pale, sandy-haired, and with eyes habitually cast down: when they looked up they were very large, odd, and attractive” (Vanity Fair, part 1)

fair hair in curls

“her fair hair hanging somewhat out of curl on her neck” (Vanity Fair, part 26)

green eyes

“throwing up the green eyes” (Vanity Fair, part 36)

ringlets framing the face

“her ringlets fell over her face, and over the marble mantelpiece” (Vanity Fair, part 14)

Dress

adorned with jewels and bracelets

“her arms and all her fingers sparkling with bracelets and rings, and the brilliants on her breast” (Vanity Fair, part 43)

wears pink dresses

“She was in a pink dress that looked as fresh as a rose” (Vanity Fair, part 33)

wears elegant sandals and stockings

“one of her little feet peeped out from the fresh crisp folds of the silk: the prettiest little foot in the prettiest little sandal in the finest silk stocking in the world” (Vanity Fair, part 33)

Voice and speech

deep-toned voice that falters with emotion

“Miss Sharp's "deep-toned voice faltered” (Vanity Fair, part 4)

shrill voice

“Becky's shrill voice” (Vanity Fair, part 22)

speaks French fluently

“answering her in French, which quite routed the old woman” (Vanity Fair, part 2)

uses sweet, simple faltering tone when manipulating

“with a sweet simple faltering voice” (Vanity Fair, part 15)

Signature words

exclaims 'Good Heavens' in distress

“Good Heavens! was ever such ill luck as mine” (Vanity Fair, part 45)

uses French expressions

“Au revoir," she said, kissing her hand to Mr. Joseph” (Vanity Fair, part 27)

Gait and mannerisms

walks with grace and purpose

“she walked away—and Amelia looked reprovingly at him” (Vanity Fair, part 6)

uses hand-kissing as a social gesture

“performed the little hand-kissing operation once more” (Vanity Fair, part 25)

makes quick, knowing glances

“Rebecca gave George her hand with one of her usual quick knowing glances” (Vanity Fair, part 26)

Strengths

extraordinarily clever and talented

“her talents and accomplishments are of a high order” (Vanity Fair, part 2)

flexible and adaptable like a puppet

“The famous little Becky Puppet has been pronounced to be uncommonly flexible in the joints, and lively on the wire” (Vanity Fair, part 1)

excellent conversationalist and entertainer

“a lady who could talk and dance like Mrs. Rawdon was fit to be ambassadress at any court in Europe” (Vanity Fair, part 42)

Flaws

selfish and calculating in her ambitions

“if there entered some degree of selfishness into her calculations, who can say but that her prudence was perfectly justifiable” (Vanity Fair, part 9)

cruel and contemptuous toward rivals

“she ecrased all rival charmers” (Vanity Fair, part 42)

neglectful and cold toward her own son

“she forgot to take any step whatever about her son, the little Rawdon, and did not even once propose to go and see him” (Vanity Fair, part 52)

dishonest and prone to deception

“She is unsurpassable in lies” (Vanity Fair, part 43)

lacks genuine affection and sentiment

“she hated people for liking them; she spurned children and children-lovers” (Vanity Fair, part 38)

Traits

ambitious and determined to rise in society

“it will be a fine day when I can take my place above her in the world” (Vanity Fair, part 9)

charming and persuasive

“It was impossible sometimes to resist this artless little creature's hospitalities, so kindly were they pressed, so frankly and amiably offered” (Vanity Fair, part 37)

vain and concerned with respectability

“to be, and to be thought, a respectable woman was Becky's aim in life” (Vanity Fair, part 39)

Lines in their own words

expressing her ambitions

“Well, let us see if my wits cannot provide me with an honourable maintenance” (Vanity Fair, part 9)

flattering and charming

“Do you remember the last time we met at Miss Crawley's, when I was so rude to you, dear Captain Osborne” (Vanity Fair, part 20)

feigning innocence and virtue

“You wonder at one so poor and friendless having an attachment, don't you” (Vanity Fair, part 15)