"Outline the nature of and attitudes to, powerplay in your found text and explain how the test uses particular techniques to shape its meaning and influence the responder. "

Written in the 19th Century, William Thackeray's novel Vanity Fair served as a blatant haranguing of the political and economic power-play evident in his society. However in 2004, when Mira Nair adapted the novel into a movie, she maintained Thackeray's integral themes- power-play versus truth - but instead portrayed the inter-relationship of power within the individual, which completely altered the meaning of the text. Nair personifies the power struggle through Becky Sharp and Amelia Sedley, in …

…Marquis of Steyne for a title and some fine jewellery, it leads to her involuntary rape. The Marquis then exercises his power to have Becky ruined, and her titles removed. Devastated, she finally retreats to her childhood friend Amelia, who although not wealthy remains happily married. Perhaps, it seems both Nair and Thackeray are intent on conveying that the greatest power one wields, is over oneself, and it is therein that reaps the richest reward.