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Joseph Andrews as

A Picaresque : [ source Oxford English Dictionary: ]

A. adj.

1. Originally: relating to or characteristic of a rogue or knave. Now chiefly: designating a genre of narrative fiction which deals episodically with the adventures of an individual, usually a roguish and dishonest but attractive hero (cf. PICARO n., PICAROON n.¹ 1). Also: having the attributes associated with this genre of narrative.

[Origin] The picaresque novel originated in Spain in the 16th cent., La Vida de Lazarillo de Tormes (c1554) usually being cited as the earliest example. In English, the genre is associated particularly with 18th-cent. writers such as Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, and Tobias Smollett. The picaresque style is characterized by social satire and realistic descriptions of scenes from low life.

2. Of a lifestyle, etc.: wandering, drifting; transitory, impermanent.

B. n. Usu. with the: that which is picaresque; the genre or style of picaresque literature. As a count noun: an example of this; a picaresque narrative, experience, etc.

The Gentry [ source : Oxford English Dictionary: ]

1. Rank by birth (usually, high birth; rarely in neutral sense). Obs. exc. arch.

b. The quality or rank of gentleman. arch.

c. What is characteristic of a gentleman; polish of manners, good breeding; also courtesy, generosity; an instance of good breeding, a gentlemanlike action. Obs.

d. A practice, style of dress, etc., characteristic of gentle-folks; ‘the fashion’. Obs.

2. People of gentle birth and breeding; the class to which they belong; in modern English use spec. the class immediately below the nobility.

Faith : [source : OED ]

I. Belief, trust, confidence.

1. a. Confidence, reliance, trust (in the ability, goodness, etc., of a person; in the efficacy or worth of a thing; or in the truth of a statement or doctrine). Const. in, of. In early use, only with reference to religious objects; this is still the prevalent application, and often colours the wider use.

b. Belief proceeding from reliance on testimony or authority.

2. Phrases. to give faith: to yield belief to. to pin one's faith to or upon: to believe implicitly.

3. Theol. in various specific applications. a. Belief in the truths of religion; belief in the authenticity of divine revelation (whether viewed as contained in Holy Scripture or in the teaching of the Church), and acceptance of the revealed doctrines. b. That kind of faith (distinctively called saving or justifying faith) by which, in the teaching of the N.T., a sinner is justified in the sight of God. This is very variously defined by theologians (see quots.), but there is general agreement in regarding it as a conviction practically operative on the character and will, and thus opposed to the mere intellectual assent to religious truth (sometimes called speculative faith). c. The spiritual apprehension of divine truths, or of realities beyond the reach of sensible experience or logical proof. By Christian writers often identified with the preceding; but not exclusively confined to Christian use. Often viewed as the exercise of a special faculty in the soul of man, or as the result of supernatural illumination.

Vanity : [source : OED ]

1. a. That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value or profit.

b. Vain and unprofitable conduct or employment of time.

c. in vanity, in vain. Obs.

2. a. The quality of being vain or worthless; the futility or worthlessness of something.

b. The quality of being foolish or of holding erroneous opinions. Obs.

3. a. The quality of being personally vain; high opinion of oneself; self-conceit and desire for admiration.

b. With a and pl.: An instance of this; an occasion for being vain.

c. A thing of which one is vain; also slang, one's favourite liquor.

4. a. A vain, idle, or worthless thing; a thing or action of no value.

b. An idle tale or matter; an idea or statement of a worthless or unfounded nature.

Pride : [source : OED ]

B. Signification. The quality of being proud.

I. 1. a. A high or overweening opinion of one's own qualities, attainments, or estate, which gives rise to a feeling and attitude of superiority over and contempt for others; inordinate self-esteem.

b. in plural. rare.

c. with specification of the cause or subject of pride. (Often passing into 3 or 4.)

d. Personified, esp. as the first of the seven deadly sins.

e. In various proverbs.

2. The exhibition of this quality in attitude, bearing, conduct, or treatment of others; arrogance; haughtiness.

3. a. A consciousness or feeling of what is befitting or due to oneself or one's position, which prevents a person from doing what he considers to be beneath him or unworthy of him; esp. as a good quality, legitimate, ‘honest’, or ‘proper pride’, self-respect; also as a mistaken or misapplied feeling, ‘false pride’.