William Makepeace Thackeray is regarded as one of the greatest satirists of the Victorian age. During his relatively short career he wrote scathing criticisms of British society and her institutions, building a reputation for his great writing and literary skill. His greatest work by far is Vanity Fair: A Novel without a Hero.

Serialised over 20 installments this story followed numerous characters as they navigated the social ladder of early 19th century British society. As the novel’s subtitle indicates, none of these figures can be reliably described as heroic. The cast of soldiers, politicians, and socialites all have major faults that reflect the flaws rampant in wider society.

Becky Sharp is by far the most memorable character in Thackeray’s cast. An intelligent girl from a financially unstable background she is utterly amoral in her search for financial security and social status. Where her close friend, Amelia Sedley, is able to rely on her family for support Becky is forced to navigate a world stacked against her with her wit and charm alone.

The magic of Thackeray’s writing makes it impossible to either hate or love Becky. While we watch her con and manipulate those closest to her we still can’t help but sympathise with Becky when she’s down on her luck. In many ways the changing fortunes of Becky Sharp is the story of Vanity Fair. As Dr Helen Small puts it: “it’s about how far a woman can go in a deeply in-egalitarian society”.

The second face of the Vanity Fair coin is Amelia Sedley.

While the two girls form a close bond while at school together, Amelia and Becky are vastly different. Becky’s sharp intellect and ruthlessness has its opposite in Amelia’s naivety and kind nature. This makes her oblivious to the subtle immorality ranging around her as she remains committed to her selfish husband and father; to the detriment of her and her son.

As there are no heroines, neither are there any heroes.

In a world where women are largely dependent on men, both Amelia and Becky are failed by their husbands and fathers. The other men in Vanity Fair too appear largely self-interested with politicians and socialites sacrificing others for their own benefit.

As with Becky and Amelia, Thackeray’s male cast are a critical reflection and commentary on British society. This is obvious in the unscrupulous politicians, selfish fathers, and unfaithful husbands. Yet even loyalty fails to escape Thackeray’s scrutiny. This is seen in William Dobbin who spends the novel devoted to the military and love. There is little reciprocation though and by the novel’s close William’s life seems ill spent.

Talking Books host Susan Cahill spoke with Dr Helen Small, editor of a new edition of Vanity Fair published by Oxford University Press, about Thackeray’s life and his iconic work. What is Vanity Fair all about? How has it stood the passage of time? And what makes it “the funniest, most worldly, lively, satiric, appetising novels”? This discussion starts roughly 25 minutes in.

This week’s music to read to

"Only Child" by Jonathan Kirkscey opens the show with "My Skin", by Nathalie Merchant, bringing it to a close.