The reader will notice a striking contrast in the reaction of the women whose husbands are called to battle. Peggy O'Dowd, completely devoted to army life, prepares her husband's things, gives him coffee and sweets. Amelia, stricken, can do nothing. Becky figures up her financial status, but shows some kind of loyalty to Amelia.
Rawdon's better self shows in that he, "who had seldom thought about anything but himself, until the last few months of his life, when Love had obtained the mastery over the dragoon . . . went off on his campaign with a kit as modest as that of a sergeant, and with something like a prayer on his lips for the woman he was leaving."
The action in this section shows Jos left in charge, Amelia's prostration, her final accusation of Rebecca, Rebecca's flattery of and power over Jos.
Jos' character shows in his love for eating, his susceptibility to Rebecca's flattery, his brave talk, and his actual cowardice. These traits will lead to the final complication and resolution of the Becky-Joseph relationship. The author excuses Jos' susceptibility: "From Solomon downwards, have not wiser men than he been cajoled and befooled by women?"
But in defense of women Thackeray says; "It was the women's tribute to the war. It taxes both alike, and takes the blood of the men, and the tears of the women."
Tongue-in-cheek, the author makes this comment on Vanity Fair, that when the cannon was heard, "even great English lords and ladies condescended to speak to persons whom they did not know."
