Character Relationship Map: Becky Sharp

Characters

• Becky Sharp (played by Miriam Hopkins) — protagonist

  Becky Sharp is a socially ambitious young woman who rises from poverty through determination, charm, and calculated relationships. She uses her friendship with Amelia Sedley and connections with wealt...

• Amelia Sedley (played by Frances Dee) — protagonist

  Amelia Sedley is Becky Sharp’s best friend and an important link to the society Becky wants to enter. Her family connections bring Becky into contact with Joseph Sedley and George Osborne, Amelia’s hu...

• Marquis of Steyne (played by Cedric Hardwicke) — supporting

  The Marquis of Steyne is one of the wealthy gentlemen with whom Becky Sharp manages to connect during her effort to advance socially. His association with Becky represents her access to powerful Briti...

• Miss Crawley (played by Alison Skipworth) — supporting

  Miss Crawley is presented as a protective aunt who warns her nephew against being drawn in by Becky. When Becky’s prospects are uncertain, the aunt rejects the idea of taking her back. Her decisions a...

• Joseph Sedley (played by Nigel Bruce) — supporting

  Joseph Sedley is Amelia Sedley’s brother and one of the gentlemen Becky Sharp approaches while seeking wealth and social advancement. Becky eventually lands Joseph at the end of the story, making him...

• William Dobbin (played by Colin Tapley) — minor

  William Dobbin acts on behalf of the club when Rawdon’s gambling debt comes due. He refuses to treat the debt as an ordinary bill, making clear that it must be paid promptly. His role connects the cou...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Becky Sharp → Joseph Sedley (Romantic Strategic Suitor) — Becky pursues Joseph as part of her strategy for wealth and social advancement; the profile identifies him as her final connection.

  Joseph Sedley's character profile says Becky approaches him while seeking wealth and social advancement and eventually lands him at the end of the sto...

• Amelia Sedley → Joseph Sedley (Family Siblings) — Joseph is Amelia's brother and connects Becky's ambitions to Amelia's family circle.

  Joseph Sedley's character profile identifies him as Amelia Sedley's brother.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Becky Sharp → Miss Crawley (Conflict Rejected Dependent) — Miss Crawley refuses to take Becky back, closing off a potential source of support.

  Miss Crawley rejects the idea of taking Becky back, while a message from Sir Pitt Crawley confirms that he still wants Becky's services.

• Becky Sharp → William Dobbin (Conflict Financial Adversaries) — Dobbin's handling of the club's demand puts him at odds with Becky as her household faces financial pressure.

  When Rawdon's gambling debt must be paid promptly, Dobbin, acting for the club, refuses to treat it as an ordinary bill.

• Becky Sharp → Amelia Sedley (Social Friendship Strained By Rivalry) — Their friendship is tested when Amelia suspects Becky's closeness to George is threatening her relationship with him.

  The plot says Becky and Amelia's social position and relationship are strained by Becky's closeness to George Osborne, and Amelia fears Becky is drawi...

• Becky Sharp → Marquis of Steyne (Social Connection) — Steyne is among the wealthy people in Becky's orbit, and he is suggested as a possible source of financial help.

  Becky resists the suggestion that she seek money from the Marquis of Steyne, and her social connections with wealthy people are described as part of h...

Story Analysis

Becky pursues security and social standing through charm and ambition, but debt, strained relationships, and abandonment lead her into poverty and an uncertain future.

Plot Progression

1. An Uncertain Departure — Becky leaves Miss Pinkerton's academy with humor rather than tears, while Amelia receives a formal farewell. Becky is reminded that she must make her own way, and a potential source of support rejects...
2. A Place Among the Wealthy — A message confirms that Sir Pitt Crawley still wants Becky's services. Her charm and ambition bring her into wealthy circles, and she marries Rawdon, but their fashionable life depends on debt.
3. Debt and Social Strain — Rawdon's gambling debt must be paid, and Dobbin refuses to treat it as an ordinary bill. Becky resists seeking help from Steyne, while Amelia worries that Becky's closeness to George is drawing him aw...
4. Abandonment and Poverty — Rawdon leaves Becky, and she begs him not to abandon her. In Bath she performs for a rough crowd, faces a demand for lodging payment, and recalls her former grand life; the fortune-telling scene leave...