Becky Sharp’s Identity Pursuit In Vanity Fair In The Views Of Jacques Lacan’s Theory Of Mirror Stage

William Makepeace Thackeray is one of the representatives of English critical realism in the 19th century. Vanity Fair has been generally regarded as his masterpiece, which reveals human nature and universal self-identity pursuit. Based on Jacques Lacan’s theory of mirror stage, this thesis probes into the protagonist Becky Sharp’s identity pursuit.First, the thesis analyzes the awakening of Becky’s sense of identity pursuit. Due to the restrictions of caste ideal and female social image in the Victorian age, Becky has been gradually dissatisfied with her current status. Her sense of identity pursuit is gradually formed through her experiences in Miss Pinkerton’s school, Sir Pitt’s family and the upper-class. Although this sense is bitty and fragmentary in this period, it accelerates Becky’s steps for identity pursuit. Meanwhile, the appearance and state of this sense correspond to people’s state of pre-mirror stage.Next, the thesis explores Becky’s identity pursuit. According to the mirror stage, the identity pursuit needs to be recognized by others, especially the mother. However, the early death of Becky’s mother leads to its primordial lack, so that Becky has to turn to others for recognition. Thus, her mother’s specular image effects have been projected into other three female characters, who are Amelia—the symbol of“Angle in the House”, Miss Crawley—the symbol of wealth and Lady Jane—the symbol of distinguished origin. However, the specular image is so imagery that Becky’s pursuit always comes to nothing.Finally, the thesis discusses Becky’s loss in her identity pursuit. Lacan points out that whether successfully distinguishes the specular image (Ideal“I”) from ego (Real“I”) or not is a key point of post-mirror stage. Living in the patriarchal society, Becky’s humble origin, economic quandaries and the requirements of ideal female image in the Victorian age cause her to encounter obstacles. Becky is calculative, but her efforts always cannot receive expected returns. Her temporary material satisfaction couldn’t bring her real feeling of happiness but spiritual emptiness. Meanwhile, she always wanders between the“Real I”and the“Ideal I”. Once her“Real I”gets closer to the“Ideal I”, she realizes that the“Ideal I”has already departed from the initial image. Therefore, it is no doubt that Becky’s efforts for identity pursuing ends in failure.