Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Vanity Fair. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: The ambitious Becky Sharp ends the novel living respectably in England, possibly having helped kill her rich admirer Jos Sedley for his insurance money. Gentle Amelia Sedley finally marries the loyal William Dobbin, who has loved her for years, but even he admits his love has cooled, and the narrator closes by asking which of us is happy.
Quick facts
– Book: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
– First published: 1848
– Type: A satirical novel
– Tone of the ending: Ironic
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Becky, a poor and clever orphan, and Amelia, a sweet heiress, leave school together. Becky marries Rawdon Crawley secretly and climbs society through charm and manipulation. Amelia marries the selfish George Osborne, who dies at Waterloo. Dobbin quietly loves Amelia.
What Happens at the End of Vanity Fair
Becky's affair with Lord Steyne is exposed, and Rawdon leaves her. She drifts across Europe. Amelia remains devoted to George's memory until Becky shows her a note proving George planned to elope with Becky. Amelia marries Dobbin. Becky attaches herself to Jos, who dies under suspicious circumstances. Becky lives a respectable life on his insurance.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Becky's schemes win her money.
- Amelia learns the truth about George.
- Dobbin's love is rewarded.
- The narrator questions happiness.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Becky Sharp | Lives on Jos's money |
| Amelia Sedley | Marries Dobbin |
| William Dobbin | Marries Amelia |
| Jos Sedley | Dies suspiciously |
What the Ending Means
The ending satirizes society's obsession with money and status.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate whether Becky murdered Jos.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Ambition. Becky climbs society.
Love. Dobbin's loyalty.
Vanity. Everyone chases status.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Vanity Fair as ironic. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected William Makepeace Thackeray to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are ironic will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how William Makepeace Thackeray closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2018 ITV series and the 2004 film both keep Becky's ambiguous ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Vanity Fair with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about ambition, and do you agree with William Makepeace Thackeray's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as ironic, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces ambition and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what William Makepeace Thackeray leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Vanity Fair often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Vanity Fair earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Vanity Fair on Amazon
Books to Read After Vanity Fair
- Middlemarch by George Eliot
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Related: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Vanity Fair You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Vanity Fair?
The ambitious Becky Sharp ends the novel living respectably in England, possibly having helped kill her rich admirer Jos Sedley for his insurance money. Gentle Amelia Sedley finally marries the loyal William Dobbin, who has loved her for years, but even he admits his love has cooled, and the narrator closes by asking which of us is happy.
Is the ending of Vanity Fair happy or sad?
Most readers call it ironic.
What does the ending of Vanity Fair mean?
The ending satirizes society's obsession with money and status.
Is the ending of Vanity Fair the same in the adaptation?
The 2018 ITV series and the 2004 film both keep Becky's ambiguous ending.
Who wrote Vanity Fair and when was it published?
Vanity Fair was written by William Makepeace Thackeray and first published in 1848.
Is Vanity Fair worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy satirical novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how William Makepeace Thackeray prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Vanity Fair before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.