Chapter 5 shows that snobbery begins early in Vanity Fair. Dobbin's schoolmates shun and laugh at him because his tuition is paid in goods. Osborne thinks himself better than Dobbin because Osborne's father is a gentleman and keeps a carriage. Even when Dobbin fights for Osborne, the latter is ashamed of him.
After Dobbin whips the bully, Dobbin improves in scholarship; his father, for the first time, respects him and publicly gives him money.
Still snobbish as a young man, George says he doesn't want a governess for a sister-in-law. Although he may have been joking when he suggests Becky is good enough for Dobbin, the reader may feel that George's real attitude toward Dobbin is condescension even though Dobbin's father is now a knighted alderman. Becky sees that George has prevented her marriage and "she loved George Osborne accordingly." Aside from Dobbin, the only admirable person so far is Amelia, and she appears too simple and innocent to be interesting.
Thackeray lets his characters reveal themselves by words. Mr. Sedley remarks that if all the family should die, Joseph would say, "Good Gad!" and go ahead with his dinner. Thackeray also shows them in action. "Jos squeezed through the gate into the gardens." Rebecca flirts with Joseph; when someone steps on her foot she falls "back with a little shriek into the arms of Mr. Sedley, and this little incident increased the tenderness and confidence of that gentleman to such a degree, that he told her several of his favorite Indian stories over again for, at least, the sixth time." Amelia looks "as happy as a rose-tree in sunshine." Thackeray points out that Rebecca cries only so long as the Sedleys can see her; she despises them now that she has failed to get Joseph.
