English Literature books summary

The narrator traces the history of the Crawley family. Sir Pitt

Crawley first marries Grizzel who bears him two sons-Pitt and Rawdon. Many

years after her demise, Sir Pitt marries Rose Dawson. The job that Becky

gets at Queen’s Crawley, is to look after the two daughters of Sir Pitt and

Rose Dawson.

Rebecca, dusting off her disappointment at the Sedley’s, becomes

excited at the prospect of living with a Baronet. Sir Pitt Crawley is a

dirtily dressed, foul-mouthed old man. He has very crude manners and a

heavy Hampshire accent. The old house too seems almost dilapidated. Sir

Pitt is to take Becky to Crawley’s mansion the next day.

Chapter 8 Private and Confidential

Becky writes a detailed letter to Amelia, describing Sir Pitt Crawley;

her adventures during her journey as she was made to sit outside in the

rain, for a passenger wanted an inside place in Sir Pitt’s coach, the

Crawley estate, and finally the old-fashioned, red-brick mansion. Becky

also gives her an account of the family members: Lady Crawley, who

constantly weeps for the loss of her beauty; Pitt Crawley who is lean with

‘hay colored whiskers’ and dresses with the pomp of an undertakes; the two

girls Rose and Violet who are simple and nice and of course Sir Pitt who

drinks in the company of Horrocks, his butler.

Chapter 9 Family Portraits

Sir Pitt Crawley with his taste for low life marries Rose, daughter of

an ironmonger. He gets drunk more than often and beats his pretty Rose. He

has a brother, a Rector, Bute Crawley, whose wife refused to call on Lady

Crawley because she is the daughter of a petty tradesman. After giving

birth to two daughters, Lady Crawley remains as a mere machine in the

house. She is only faintly attached to Pitt Crawley who is a polite, gentle

and disciplined man. He is also an ambitious and industrious person.

Sir Pitt gets great pleasure in making his creditors wait and go from

court to court. He asks, "What is the good of being in Parliament if you

must pay your debts?"

Sir Pitt has an unmarried half sister, Miss Crawley, who has a large

fortune. She helps the Crawleys often, to pay their debts. The members of

her family love and respected her because of her vast bank balance.

Chapter 10 Miss Sharp Begins to make friends.

Rebecca’s main aim is to make herself agreeable to her benefactors.

She knows that to survive in the world she has to fend for herself. She

easily pleases Lady Crawley and her daughters. Her respect and obedience

towards Pitt Crawley wins her, his good opinion. She finds ways to be

useful to Sir Pitt and within a year, she becomes indispensable to him. She

becomes his constant companion.

Rawdon Crawley of the LifeGuards Green does not get along with his

brother Pitt and pays a visit to the house, only when the aunt comes to

stay with them. He is a favorite of his aunt and there is mutual contempt

between Pitt and Miss Crawley.

Miss Crawley is a rich woman, who loves everything associated with

France. She enjoys life (though Pitt considers her to be ‘godless’) and

loves to pamper her nephew, Rawdon.

Chapter 11 Arcadian Simplicity

Bute Crawley and his wife form the nearest relatives and neighbors of

Sir Pitt. The two brothers are entirely against each other. Mrs. Crawley

keeps a close watch on the Crawley house for news. She is quite suspicious

about Rebecca’s growing influence over the Crawleys. Therefore she writes

to Miss Pinkerton to enquire about her past for which Miss Pinkerton gladly

fills in the information that her parents had been disreputable.

Becky writes a letter to Amelia informing her about the perfect peace

and happiness in the house due to the arrival of Miss Crawley. The two

brothers make best chaperons for her while they wait for her to kick the

bucket. Becky also gives an account of Rawdon Crawley who lives a lavish

life under the favor of his aunt. She does not forget to mention how he

constantly showers attention over her while he is around.

Besides charming Mrs. Bute Crawley, Rebecca also has Miss Crawley tied

to her little finger in no time, (who is immensely impressed by her) and

becomes her constant companion.

Chapter 12 Quite a sentimental chapter.

Sisters of George as well as of Dobbin believe that Amelia is not

worthy enough for a charming man like George. They feel that George is

making a great sacrifice in loving Amelia. George plays truant and in the

evenings is neither at his own house nor at Amelia’s. Amelia is heartbroken

waiting for George. She writes frantic letters to George, who replies in

very few words - in a soldier like manner.

Chapter 13 Sentimental and otherwise

While Amelia suffers in George’s absence, George is busy enjoying in

the company of other women. Unable to hear people talking about George and

his lady in a light manner, Dobbin, to the great displeasure of George,

blurts out the truth about George’s engagement with Amelia. Dobbin also

rebukes George for neglecting the angelic Amelia. George, with some

hesitation, accepts money from Dobbin to buy a gift for Amelia. But he is

driven by self-love, and buys a diamond shirt pin for himself. Amelia is

euphoric to see George.

George’s father, John Osborne, is worried about John Sedley’s

business. He makes it clear to George that he is not to marry Amelia unless

she brings along ten thousand pounds.

Chapter 14 Miss Crawley at Home

Miss Crawley falls severely ill and is transported back to her house.

Rebecca nurses her throughout her illness. Miss Crawley refuses to be

looked after by anyone else, not even her old loyals, like Miss Briggs and

Mrs. Firkin. These two companions are greatly threatened by Becky’s

presence. Rawdon comes regularly to ask Becky about the improvement in the

patient.

After great caring and watching over on Becky’s part, Miss Crawley

recovers. Becky keeps her entertained and accompanies her on drives. On one

such drive they pay a visit to Amelia, which again Amelia returns after a

few days. Amelia is invited for dinner in which George Osborne is also a

guest. George tells Rawdon to be careful of a desperate flirt like Becky.

Sir Pitt becomes a widower again. Throughout the time of Miss

Crawley’s convalescence, he writes frantic letters to Rebecca to return to

Queen’s Crawley. One day, he personally comes to fetch her and proposes

marriage to her. Rebecca has only tears to shed at this marriage proposal;

she confesses between her sobs that she is already married.

Chapters 15 & 16 In which Rebecca’s husband appears for a short time

and the letter on the Pincushion

Miss Crawley is astonished to know that Rebecca has turned down Sir

Pitt’s proposal. After much explanation to Miss Crawley, Becky admits that

she loves someone else. Becky is a little remorseful that she has missed

the position of a Lady, but she has enough ‘resolution and energy of

character,’ to not continue mourning for what is lost.

She writes a letter to her secret husband, who is none other than Rawdon,

and plans an elopement. Becky is sure that Miss Crawley will be hysterical

for a while and then forgive her two favorites. She runs away leaving a

letter for Miss Briggs, who does not have a clue about how to break the

news and sends for Mrs. Bute Crawley. Together they inform Miss Crawley,

who is frantic. Sir Pitt is furious. All this while Becky and Rawdon,

together, are hoping that Miss Crawley will sooner or later come around and

forgive them.

Chapter 17 &18 How Capt. Dobbin bought a piano and who played on the

piano Capt. Dobbin bought.

Mr. John Sedley goes bankrupt and the family moves to a modest house

in Fulham Street. There is an auction in their old house where Rawdon and

Becky buy a painting of Jos Sedley on an elephant and Dobbin buys the old

piano and sends it to its previous owner, Amelia.

Jos arranges financial help for his parents but does not come down to

meet them. After his marriage, Rawdon Crawley is a much-altered man. Becky

just avoids the ruined Sedleys.

Everybody is sure that George Osborne will not marry Amelia and speaks

ill about her. Aware of this fact, John Sedley asks the heartbroken Amelia

to return all the gifts that George had given her and break the

relationship. George is moved by Amelia’s letter and, on Dobbin’s

insistence, goes to meet her.

Chapter 19 Miss Crawley at Nurse

Mrs. Bute Crawley tries every way to make Miss Crawley despise Rawdon

and Becky. For this, she reminds Miss Crawley of every vice of Rawdon and

takes Miss Crawley to Miss Pinkerton’s, who helps them trace Becky’s

earlier life. Thus, she fortifies the Park Lane house against the enemy.

Seeing Miss Crawley weak, Mrs. Bute Crawley presses upon the old woman

to alter her will but does not succeed. At a drive in a park, Miss

Crawley’s carriage passes by Rawdon’s carriage, who acknowledges the party

but is coldly spurned. For Mrs. Bute it is a sure triumph. She plans to

take Miss Crawley to Brighton to avoid such encounters in the future.

Chapters 20 & 21 In which Capt. Dobbin acts as the messenger of Hymen

and Quarrel about on heiress.

Dobbin volunteers to convince Mr. Sedley about Amelia’s marriage.

Amelia is as happy as she can be. George tells Amelia that his parents and

sisters have formed a new acquaintance with a Miss Swartz, who is an

extremely beautiful and rich heiress. John Osborne plans to get George

married to Miss Swartz and he keeps giving his son, hints about this wish

of his.

Miss Swartz is invited home for dinner where George is ordered to be

present. During the meetings instigated by the foul words of his sisters

towards Amelia, George declares to Miss Swartz that he loves Amelia and

even rises against his father to defend her. His father is enraged and

warns him not to argue with him if he wants to remain in the family. George

defies his father’s orders and tells Dobbin that he will marry Amelia the

very next day.

Chapter 22 A marriage and part of a Honeymoon.

Like a typical patriarch, Old Osborne is sure that George will return

the moment his supplies fall short. Amelia and George tie the knot at a

chapel near Fulham Road. Immediately after the marriage, the couple leaves

for Brighton. Dobbin stays back to overcome his depression caused due to

Amelia’s marriage and also to inform Mr. Osborne.

At Brighton, the young couple, later joined by, Jos meets the Crawley

couple, who is enjoying their stay. However, the Crawley couple is also

worried about Miss Crawley’s acceptance as she still refuses to yield.

Dobbin too joins them later, bringing the news that all the soldiers are

ordered to Belgium.

Chapters 23 & 24 Capt. Dobbin proceeds on his canvass and in which Mr.

Osborne takes down the family Bible.

Dobbin tries very hard to convince George’s sisters, to be supportive

of his marriage to Amelia. Miss Osbornes are moved, but they dare not

oppose their father. Sure about the fact that, George will lose his share

of the property, Mr. Fredrick Bullock, a businessman, at heart becomes more

interested in Miss Maria Osborne. This is because; he realizes that now she

is worth thirty thousand pounds more.

Very gradually, Dobbin breaks the news about George’s marriage to Mr.

Osborne, who is shattered, angry and deeply disappointed. He decides to

disown George and disinherit him. He sends a letter for George through

Dobbin.

Chapter 25 In which all the principal personages think fit to leave

Brighton.

George is panic struck, the moment he reads the letter, from his

father’s lawyer, disinheriting him from his father’s property. He rudely

blames Dobbin for (George’s) his being out of favor of his father, then

later ‘generously’ forgives him. Within a week of marriage, George begins

to neglect Amelia for the company of others, especially the Crawleys. The

regiment is next commissioned to Brussels.

Before leaving town, Becky insists on getting back a sum lent to

George, which he does, and appeasing Miss Crawley. The latter becomes easy

as Mrs. Bute Crawley, the only great obstacle, rushes to her home because

Mr. Bute Crawley had injured himself. Rebecca seizes the opportunity and

sends feelers through honest Miss Briggs. Becky also dictates a letter to

Rawdon for Miss Crawley. Miss Crawley refuses to see Rawdon. On further

insistence, she asks him to see her lawyer. On following her instruction,

Rawdon is shocked to see that she leaves a meager sum of twenty pounds for

him!

Chapters 26, 27 & 28 Between London and Chatham, in which Amelia joins

her Regiment, in which Amelia invades the Low Countries.

On their way to Brussels, George, Amelia, Jos and Dobbin stop at

London. George keeps Amelia in the lap of luxury, but does not spend time

with her. He is back to his vices, of gambling and flirting. A happy Amelia

pays a visit to her parents. George meets his father’s solicitor for the

final little sum of 2000 pounds that his father has spared for him.

At Chatham, Amelia meets George’s regiment. They are all impressed by

Amelia’s sweet and kind nature and George feels proud of her. Amelia takes

a liking for the garrulous and imposing Mrs. Peggy O’Dowd, who is the wife

of Mayor O’Dowd, the commander of George’s regiment.

The regiment is transported by water to Ostend. Before the war can

begin, there is great merriment in the regiment. In such parties, Amelia is

extravagantly dressed, Jos, excessively drunk and George extremely

flirtatious.

Chapter 29 Brussels

Following the others, the Crawley couple arrives at Brussels. George

enjoys in their company but Amelia is jealous of the admiration Rebecca

receives from George. George continuously loses his money to Rawdon, at

gambling and loses his heart to Becky.

On June 15, 1815 a noble duchess hosts a lavish ball in which

Crawleys, Osbornes and Dobbin are invited. Amelia, half- expecting what

would happen, is quite without enthusiasm.

George, as usual, chaperones Rebecca, dances with her and in the end, gives

her a piece of paper crumpled in her bouquet. Amelia, totally neglected,

requests Dobbin to take her back to her room.

George Osborne is having a great time at the ball when Dobbin

announces that their regiment is to march to the battlefront. George, the

brave soldier, is excited. On his way to his room, he bitterly regrets his

behavior towards Amelia and wonders what will happen to her and their

unborn child if he were to die in the war. He feels guilty for his

ingratitude towards his father and writes a farewell letter to him.

Chapter 30 "The girl I left behind me"

Major O’Dowd, Rawdon, George, and Dobbin prepare to leave for the

battlefield. Rawdon is worried about the debts he is leaving behind and

gives Becky all his savings and valuables out of which she can make a

little fortune and live comfortably if he were to die. Rawdon is

overwhelmed with emotions while Rebecca bears it all with ‘Spartan

equanimity.’

Before leaving, Dobbin extracts a promise from Jos Sedley that he will

not leave Amelia alone and will take care of her while George is away.

After a brief parting with Amelia, George rushes to join the march, full of

enthusiasm and overflowing with excitement.

Chapter 31 In which Jos Sedley takes care of his sister.

Jos is comfortable while Amelia is very ill and disturbed in George’s

absence. Becky comes to pay Amelia a visit, but Amelia is furious at her

and behaves rudely towards her. In a fit of rage and jealousy, she assures

Becky that George loves only her (Amelia) and that none of Becky’s tricks

would work. For the first time, Amelia gathers enough courage to confront

Becky, who is stunned. She leaves Peggy to take care of Amelia.

Before this confrontation with Amelia, Becky flatters and praises an

impressed Jos Sedley so that she can use him whenever she needs to. While

Jos and Peggy are at dinner, they hear cannons being fired and it perturbs

them.

Chapter 32 In which Jos takes flight and the war is brought to a

close.

With the noise of cannons, there are rumors that the French will

overpower the British army. Mrs. O’Dowd courageously consoles Amelia while

Jos is mortally frightened. He puts forth his plan to flee to Ghent but his

servant Isidor informs him that all the horses are gone. Pauline’s (the

cook’s) lover, Regulus returns from the battlefield bringing the news of

the war that, the British army was butchered. They are all scared. Jos

plans to shave his moustaches so that no one will mistake him for an army

man.

Like Jos, even the Bareacres are panic struck and wish to flee but a

paucity of horses prevents them. Rebecca has two horses to sell but she

doesn’t sell them to the Lady Bareacres, as she is angry with the Lady for

ignoring her at the parties. She sells the horses to Jos at a very high

price.

The news of victory arrives. Amelia is even more hysterical. She spots

an injured ensign and mistakes him for George. This ensign, Tom Stubble,

brings news that George and Dobbin are fine. He tells them how Capt. Dobbin

had carried him to the surgeon and has sent him back with a message for

Mrs. Osborne that her husband is well.

When all are at peace, they hear the cannons of Waterloo strike again

and this scares Jos very much. Jos once more implores upon Amelia to leave

with him, but when she refuses, he goes away with his servant. After the

roaring of cannons all day, the British are finally triumphant. While

Amelia is praying for George, he lies dead with a bullet through his heart.

Chapter 33 In which Miss Crawley’s relations are very anxious about

her.

Miss Crawley reads about Rawdon’s bravery and learns that he has been

honored with the title of Colonel. She receives a letter and tokens of war

from his nephew Rawdon from Paris. Mrs. Bute Crawley is disappointed, for

her absence has resulted in her losing her hold over Miss Crawley and her

household.

After Becky leaves Queen’s Crawley, Sir Pitt does not care to mend his

lifestyle. He drinks with the peasants and showers attention on his servant

Miss Horrocks.

Mr. Pitt is to marry Lady Jane, daughter of Countess Southdown. Mr.

Pitt Crawley, together with Lady Southdown and Lady Jane, decides that he

must cultivate Miss Crawley’s friendship and win her favor as well as her

fortune.

Chapter 34 James Crawley’s pipe is put out.

Miss Crawley instantly likes Jane and asks her to visit her often.

Mrs. Bute Crawley, immensely jealous of the improvement Pitt is making with

Miss Crawley, sends her son James Crawley to please the rich lady. Miss

Crawley asks James to live in her house. Pitt is envious of James for Miss

Crawley had never invited him to stay with her. So he tries various ways to

make Miss Crawley fed up of James. One day, he instigates James to smoke a

pipe in the house. This pollutes the atmosphere of the home and results in

Miss Crawley bidding farewell to James.

Meanwhile, Becky creates a place for herself in the Parisian society.

She delivers a boy and Miss Crawley immediately orders for the marriage of

Pitt and Lady Jane. They come and stay with Miss Crawley and decide to give

them (Pitt and Jane) a thousand pounds a year till she lives and all the

bulk of her property after her death.

Chapter 35 Widow and mother.

Old Osborne and his family is wholly shaken and shattered at the news

of George’s death. His heart melts, when he reads the letter that George

had written to him on the eve of the battle. He goes to see his son’s tomb.

He sees Amelia in her sorrowful widowhood but remains unmoved and refuses

to accept her as his son’s widow.

Amelia lives a passive and melancholic life till the arrival of her

son, which brings life back into her. Dobbin is the godfather of the little

George and takes care that he does not lack anything. One day, Dobbin comes

and informs Amelia that he is leaving and will not be back for a long time.

She promises to write to him about little George.

Chapters 36 & 37 How to live well on nothing a year & the subject

continued.

Rebecca and Rawdon live comfortably on debt, in Paris, for 3 - 4

years. Rebecca becomes a favorite in the aristocratic circle. Rawdon has a

lucky hand at gambling but their rising debts compel them to return to

England. Becky makes the scene pretty easy in England, by appeasing

Rawdon’s old debtors. By promising them a fairly good dividend on the

previous debt, Becky gets ten times more from them.

The news of Miss Crawley’s death arrives. In London, Becky and Rawdon

stay in Raggles’ house at Curzon Street, Mayfair. Raggles is an old loyal

of the Crawley family. He was their (Crawley’s) butler, who had spent all

his hard-earned money to buy the apartment, which he now lends Becky. Becky

and Rawdon never pay him anything, and in time, poor Raggles becomes a

ruined man.

Miss Crawley leaves Bute Crawley five thousand pounds, Rawdon inherits

only a hundred pounds, and the rest of the fortune is left to Pitt. Rebecca

advises Rawdon to keep a friendly relationship with Pitt and his wife.

Rebecca is a failure as a mother. In fact, she finds little Rawdon a great

botheration, but father and son share a special bond.

Rebecca totally overshadows Rawdon. While Rawdon is busy with his son,

Becky charms rich men like Lord Styne. One day, while playing at a park,

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