In Vanity Fair, dictionaries represent approval from the traditional institutions of society. Miss Pinkerton gives a copy of Samuel Johnson’s dictionary to almost every girl who graduates from her school, including Amelia, to denote that they have completion their education and are ready to participate in the outside world. But while a dictionary and school could symbolize knowledge, at her school, Miss Pinkerton places an even greater emphasis on obedience and following the rules. Notably, Miss Pinkerton chooses not to give a dictionary to one of her most intelligent students: Becky, who can speak fluent French and who can spell and write better than just about anyone else in the novel. But because Miss Pinkerton doesn’t like Becky’s attitude or the low status of Becky’s parents, she refuses to give Becky a dictionary that would signal the school’s approval for Becky’s character.
In the end, Becky receives a dictionary from Jemima, who goes behind Miss Pinkerton’s back to get a copy for Becky out of pity. But to Jemima’s surprise, Becky soon throws her dictionary right out the window of a carriage, defiantly showing that she doesn’t need the school’s approval. On a practical level, perhaps, Becky doesn’t need a dictionary because she already knows how to spell. But on a figurative level, Becky’s rejection of the dictionary suggests her refusal to abide by social norms. In tossing the dictionary out of the window, Becky shows that she doesn’t need society’s approval and is determined to survive on her own terms. Becky’s attitude contrasts with Amelia’s—by accepting her dictionary, Amelia shows that she desires society’s approval and would rather follow its rules to the letter.
Dictionary Quotes in Vanity Fair
When Miss Sharp had performed the heroical act mentioned in the last chapter, and had seen the Dixonary, flying over the pavement of the little garden, fall at length at the feet of the astonished Miss Jemima, the young lady's countenance, which had before worn an almost livid look of hatred, assumed a smile that perhaps was scarcely more agreeable, and she sank back in the carriage in an easy frame of mind, saying—‘So much for the Dixonary; and, thank God, I’m out of Chiswick.’
‘Where is Sir Pitt Crawley’" said Miss Sharp majestically.
‘He, he! I’m Sir Pitt Crawley. Reklect you owe me a pint for bringing down your luggage. He, he! Ask Tinker if I aynt.’