In Vanity Fair, did Becky Sharp actually kill Joseph Sedley?

Asked by Mimishu1995 (23796

) November 28th, 2016

Just need some clarification to aid my exam revision.

What I got from my textbook is that at the end of Vanity Fair, after Joseph Sedley came to stay with Becky Sharp, he died on a mysterious circumstance. Becky then spent the rest of her time living the life she wanted. There was no indication that Joseph’s death was linked to Becky. However, I got some materials for the exam revision provided by the teacher. One of the analysis of the story claims that Becky was guilty of murder.

I know Thackeray might want to let the readers think that Becky was the one who killed Joseph, but there is no evidence for that in the story. Is it OK to call her out for murder when it is just a theory with no concrete evidence? Although that may actually be what Thackeray was thinking.

And yeah, I haven’t had the chance to read the whole book. That was just what I got from my textbook’s synopsis. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.

Observing members: 0

Composing members: 0

1 Answer

First, read this article. It’s an interesting scholarly discussion of Sedley. link

Second, although the book never explicitly says so, the implication is absolutely there – one day after a life insurance policy is purchased for Jos, he dies. That’s more than a little suspicious. A detective would look at it as motive and investigate the heck out of Becky. But the books doesn’t come right out and say that, and you are left with a whole lot of suspicion and no solid facts.

My thinking has always been that she did it. (Sort of like OJ Simpson – he killed Nicole even though the evidence to prove it was equivocal).

elbanditoroso (33549

)“Great Answer” (2

) Flag as…