How is Becky Sharp’s ambition shown in Vanity Fair?

In William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, Becky Sharp’s ambition is defined by her energetic, scheming, and provocative nature as she navigates the rigid social hierarchies of early 19th-century England. Born to a poor drawing master, Becky is portrayed as an unprincipled adventuress who actively fights her way up the social ladder.12

Her ambition is primarily shown through her calculated efforts to secure a higher status, most notably by marrying Rawdon Crawley, an officer from an aristocratic family. Throughout the novel, she serves as the central figure around whom various men revolve, using her wit and social maneuvering to manipulate those around her—even attracting the attention of George Osborne, the husband of her friend Amelia Sedley.12

Thackeray uses the contrast between the passive, wellborn Amelia and the opportunistic Becky to highlight the "vanities" and human frailties of the era. Ultimately, Becky’s trajectory reflects the novel’s broader exploration of human ambition, illustrating the relentless pursuit of social and material success in a world where, as Thackeray suggests, few are ever truly satisfied with their desires.123