A Feminist Review of the Film Vanity Fair

There are three very distinct portrayals of women in Vanity Fair. They fall into three major archetypes of female characters throughout literature: "The Ditz", "The Temptress", and "The Bitch". These roles are played out by the three major female characters in the story: Amelia Sedly, Rebecca Sharp, and Mrs. Crowley. They show the progression of how women are portrayed throughout their lives, from maiden to crone.

First, Amelia Sedly is a love sick young woman; so in love that she often overlooks the gestures of the man who truly loves her, William Dauben. This is how she acts as "The Ditz" in the film. In the beginning, Amelia believes that George Osbourne is in love with her when it is obvious to the viewer that he is not. Then she believes that he has bought her a piano when in fact, William has bought it for.

And until the end, she believes that her dead husband George was truly in love with her, despite the fact that he wrote a love letter to Rebecca Sharp. Through her character we see young women portrayed as naïve, whimsical, and void of common sense.

Next, Rebecca Sharp embodies "The Temptress" as a grown woman in the film. Men are drawn too her because of her extreme beauty and intriguing personality. She is often seen flirting to get what she wants; either money or status. She does all this despite her marriage to Rawdin Crowley throughout most of the film. That is why she is seen as tempting. Because she is a married woman she is "forbidden fruit".

However she still taughts men with her beauty through things such as the dance she performed for the king and her enticing remarks. This portrays mature women as sexual, but in an inappropriate way which makes them seem villainous and being responsible for the sins of men.

Mrs. Crowley is said several times in the film to only be of value for her money. This is due in part to the fact that she is growing old and she is seen as stubborn and the epitome of "The Bitch" archetype. For example, her quick wit is often insulting to others, especially men.

These comments emasculate the men in her family, however they endure the remarks in hopes that they might gain a piece of her estate. Mrs. Crowley's character portrays elderly women as an unpleasant, bitter presence in the lives of men.

There are many scenes in which women are looking up at men, and looking down upon them. Mira Nair uses this type of "gaze" in the film to portray the power struggle between men and women. For example, when Rawdin is following Mrs. Crowley and Rebecca in the carriage on his horse, he looks down upon Rebecca when he speaks to her.

However, soon after, when Rawdin attempts to solicit sex from Rebecca and is turned down, Rebecca looks down upon him. This suggests that while men may have power in everyday society, women have the power when it comes to sexual matters in the film.

In addition, there are instances which demonstrate a balance of power between men and women in the film. When George is presented with a potential marriage partner he sits on the couch with her; even in power. This is because she and George possess the same amount of societal status and money, which seems to far out way gender in this type of society.