79 pages 2 hours read

William Makepeace Thackeray

Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1847

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Chapters 50-59

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 50 Summary: “Contains a Vulgar Incident”

Amelia is still deliberating whether she should allow Georgy to go to the Osborne house. Desperately, she tries to think of other ways to alleviate her financial peril. Finally, she writes to Jos to ask him to send money, as he once did before he unexpectedly stopped. Mr. Sedley is forced to confess to Amelia: Jos still sends money, but the entire amount is used to pay the debts brought about by her father. Amelia realizes that she has no other option. Distraught at the prospect of sending Georgy away, she contemplates dying by suicide. As she prepares Georgy for the move, his apparent excitement only makes her sadder. When he hears that Georgy is to live with him, Mr. Osborne is happy. He prepares the house for Georgy’s arrival and sends money to Amelia. Occasionally, Georgy is permitted to visit his mother. Over the course of these intermittent visitations, Amelia notices a change in her son. His new wealth makes him conceited and spoiled. Amelia begins to linger near the Osborne house, hoping to catch glimpses of Georgy at home or at school.