Vanity Fair , written by William Makepeace Thackeray and published in 1847-1848, is a satirical novel that explores the lives of its ambitious characters amidst the backdrop of early 19th-century British society. The story follows the fortunes and misfortunes of Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley as they navigate love, betrayal, and social ambition. Through sharp wit and keen social commentary, Thackeray critiques the superficiality and moral complexities of his era, establishing Vanity Fair as a classic of English literature.