Vanity Fair
Chapter 20: In Which Captain Dobbin Acts as the Messenger of Hymen
by William Makepeace Thackeray
Dobbin assists Amelia and George.
Dobbin assists Amelia and George.
Cousin Ophelia attempts to change Aunt Dinah.
The narrator describes his early life at home with his mother.
Walter finds himself feeling things he never expected to feel. He looks to Marian to discover the cause for Laura's behavior.
The narrator describes the different kinds of flora that grow in the spring.
"Oh, the poets may sing of their Lady Irenes,"
"I ’s feelin’ kin’ o’ lonesome in my little room to–night,"
"Little lady at de do’,"
"Swing yo’ lady roun’ an’ roun’,"
George and a client take a tour of a local tenement. George meets his father-in-law to ensure a good price on a future purchase. George decides to have a conversation about "morals" with his son.
Barton Park is a very open and elegant home, and Sir John and his wife are never without a good many guests. Mrs. Jennings and Colonel Brandon are introduced and described.
The Tin Soldier tells the Tin Man and his friends how he came to be made of Tin. His story surprises them. They continue on their journey to find Nimmie Amee.
Jake's story is told to Alice. Alice and Ruth take part in a motor race.
The various members of the St. Clare family are introduced to the reader.
Eva, having fallen ill, makes a request of her father and Topsy.
The girls ask Mr. Belton for assitance in finding Will. He agrees to help if he can, but progress is slow. The girls spend many happy days exploring the orange groves and the lake. One day they decide to travel farther up the river for a nice picnic. All is well, until the boat begins to travel away, towed by some unseen force.
While Cathy visits Linton, he insists that he is getting stronger, even though throughout the visit he is squeamish and looking back at the house constantly. Cathy and Nelly discuss his health on the way home.
Mr. Douglass remembers the kindness of Miss Lucretia.
Jo is deeply affected by Beth's passing, and begins to reminisce about her time in New York with Professor Bhaer.
Excerpt from Frederick Douglass' speech outlining the hypocritical nature of slavery in the United States of America.
"The whole question of choosing one’s next working hypothesis has been fogged, owing to people’s neglect of a very simple principle..."
Exam results are posted, bringing positive news to Anne. The Cuthbert's continuing health problems concern Anne.