Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush

William Makepeace Thackeray was an English writer of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works. His pessimism and realistic portrayal of English life were the basis of novels and comic sketches. The author wanted to oppose the truth of life with a conditional idealization of typical English novels. Thackeray observed the characters of people acting from evil motives. Imagining the evil vices and pettiness of his characters, he preached thereby brighter positive ideals, at the same time, carried away by their evil characters, he excited them more reader interest.

My mother called me Charles James Harrington Fitzroy Yellowplush, in compliment to several noble families. I didn’t know why she called me so, but I guess, she gave me this name on the assumption of a part of her dress. We led a strange life; sometimes ma was dressed in satin and rouge, and sometimes in rags; sometimes I got kisses, and sometimes «kicks; sometimes gin, and sometimes champagne. I remember that how she used to swear at me, and cuddle me; there we were, quarrelling and making up, sober and tipsy, starving and gutting by turns, just as ma got money or spent it. But there was an accident that changed my life… What happened to him or her mother? Read the story to know it!