Thackeray's Reading

Introduction: Before one can hope to gain an understanding of any author's work, and certainly before one can make any valid criticisms or interpretations of his writings, one should learn as much as possible about his life and his literary backgrounds. In studying the works of William Makepeace Thackeray, one observes that the tremendous amount and variety of his reading had a proportionate influence on the quality and range of his work. To date no serious study has been made of Thackeray's reading, although there have been numerous publications on his style, critical ability, humor, satire, travels, and personal life.