Wright, B. (2011). Grotesque in Great Expectations - Pips First Encounters With Magwitch. Available: http://www.sooperarticles.com/art-entertainment-articles/grotesque-great-expectations-pips-early-encounters-magwitch-652194.html. Last accessed 30th Jan 2015.
Weiss, Z (2009). 'Seeing Double, Double Seeing'. United States of America: Brown University.
Within 'Great Expectations' there are many gothic elements to both the setting, characterisation and ideals of the book. Gothic is particularly resonant throughout the setting in regards to Satis House, Miss Havisham and the plot of her mental decay into the realm of insanity and spirit like haunting. Other gothic characters include that of Magwitch, Orlick and Bentley and all of these carry features prominent of the gothic villain. However the main character of focus within examining 'Great Expectations' as a gothic novel is that of 'Satis House' itself which creates an atmosphere so dramatic through its use of disgust in the audience that it has become an iconic location for many a readers key area of interest, Miss Havisham. Despite this probably the most interesting element of Dickens's 'Great Expectations' is the fact that it is not necessarily a simple gothic novel as it belongs to more than one genre, in many aspects it is a fairytale, a comedy and a melodrama. But throughout all of these the gothic elements and quirks push through to leave the reader with an almost chilling fairytale of modern realities, essentially a modern Brother Grimm supplying the reader with a heavy moral commentary on the dangers of love, jealousy and social ridicule.
Weiss, Z (2009). 'Seeing Double, Double Seeing'. United States of America: Brown University.
Within 'Great Expectations' there are many gothic elements to both the setting, characterisation and ideals of the book. Gothic is particularly resonant throughout the setting in regards to Satis House, Miss Havisham and the plot of her mental decay into the realm of insanity and spirit like haunting. Other gothic characters include that of Magwitch, Orlick and Bentley and all of these carry features prominent of the gothic villain. However the main character of focus within examining 'Great Expectations' as a gothic novel is that of 'Satis House' itself which creates an atmosphere so dramatic through its use of disgust in the audience that it has become an iconic location for many a readers key area of interest, Miss Havisham. Despite this probably the most interesting element of Dickens's 'Great Expectations' is the fact that it is not necessarily a simple gothic novel as it belongs to more than one genre, in many aspects it is a fairytale, a comedy and a melodrama. But throughout all of these the gothic elements and quirks push through to leave the reader with an almost chilling fairytale of modern realities, essentially a modern Brother Grimm supplying the reader with a heavy moral commentary on the dangers of love, jealousy and social ridicule.
• How is the grotesque depicted in Great Expectations?
The term grotesque commonly refers to an idea of the world in which the novel is set being described in a both fantastical and exaggerated way that leaves the reader with an otherworldly impression. However unlike the modern fairytale, the uncanny embodies much darker tones with sinister themes becoming persistent throughout the novel in question. A key example of this concept within 'Great Expectations is the of the relationship between Pip and Magwitch, but also Magwitch's character traits in general that display a number of grotesque qualities. Throughout the novel Magwitch continues to shock and conflict the relationship between himself and Pip. This is something we come across immediately within the novel and leaves the reader with a dramatic view into how the domination of Magwitch's character will continue to rule over Pip throughout the novel, even without his awareness for Magwitch inevitably reveals himself to be the "mysterious benefactor" of Pip's transformation from boy to "Gentleman". Indeed our first glimpse into the behaviour of Magwitch builds this expectation for he commands Pip to "hold your noise", immediately constructing the sense of dominance and threat Pip feels when around Magwitch in such a way. Furthermore, Dickens also supplies a number of descriptive elements surrounding Magwitch that create an image more of beast than of man. Throughout his first appearance his behaviour is representative of a cannibalistic/barbarian nature, stating to Pip that he shall proceed to devour the boy in pieces, "You young dog what fat cheeks ya got. Darn me if I couldn't eat 'em". This concept of cannibalistic tendencies is immediately unsettling to the moral fabrics of society but supplies an insight into the very thought process his character. In turn the fact that he describes Pip as a "dog" rather than a child reflects how Magwitch has lost touch with his human side and succumb fully to animal instinct.
The heavy use of animal description and imagery again connects Magwitch's character to the grotesque features of the novel. Often he is likened by both himself and others to have the characteristics of animals and creatures, this is a concept most unsettling to the reader as it effectively blurs he very boundaries of the human anatomy. Magwitch becomes almost a hybrid of man and beast which during the times of werewolves and vampires was most discomforting to the readers imagination. A most common comparison is to that of a dog and this is seen in particular through Dickens's description of the manner in which he eats. Dickens writes that he took "strong, sharp, sudden bites" into the food and pie given to him by Pip, furthermore Pip himself even makes the connection that Magwitch is "very much like the dog" he keeps back at the house. This further enhances the sense of threat and mystery surrounding Magwitch as he appears to morphs from man to creature, twisting further toward the barbaric tendencies Dickens initially creates.
• What are specific elements of the uncanny? How does Dickens give the uncanny a unique twist within the novel in terms of characterisation?
A key example of how the uncanny is created through the twisting of characterisation is that of 'doubling' and character representation. Both Magwitch, Compeyson, Mrs Joe and Miss Havisham are the stand out figures of doubling prominent throughout the novel, by doing so Dickens creates an uncomfortable familiarity within each character leading the reader to feel a deja vu sense of experiencing the fall and failings of each person previously. The first double presented within the novel is that of Compeyson and Magwitch, both are criminals charged with the same offence after their criminal acts however only one is innately evil. Compeyson abandoned Miss Havisham at the alter on the famed wedding day and eventually was caught forging signatures, however due to his education and gentlemanly nature was given a lesser punishment in comparison to his double Magwitch. Compeyson is of evil nature, he is knowledgeable and easily manipulative of those he has influence over. Magwitch however is (despite our initial impressions) of king hear, uneducated and easily fooled. Purely due to Magwitch's inability to articulate a defines he is inevitably charged with the same offence as Compeyson. This is where Dickens supplies a criticism of the division of the classes and Victorian social system, he makes apparent that the only reason Magwitch is given a longer sentence is a result of his social status therefore emphasising the flaws of a class ruled jurisdiction. As a result a great deal of sympathy is created in favour of Magwitch and we do not condemn him for the murder of Compeyson out by the Themes River. In fact there is a sense of unsettling satisfaction for the reader in knowing that a figure of corruption is succumb to a death lacking in dignity.
Another example of doubles is within the comparison of both Mrs Joe and Miss Havisham. Weiss points out that both are women bound to their homes and both represent dominating "mother figures" to Pip despite behaving in an entirely selfish mentality. Mrs Joe is meant to be the older sibling of Pip and yet she resents him and continuously abuses him both mentally and physically, her statement that she "brought him up by hand" holds both a literal and metaphorical meaning. It is her abuse of Pip that makes him so weak to the manipulation of other women such as Miss Havisham and Estella, he even acknowledges himself that he is "morally timid" in the face of dominance. In addition is the description of Mrs Joe's costuming of which she is described as always wearing "a corse apron" a "square, impregnable bib". Mrs Joe is trapped within her own obsession with cleaning her home, stressing over the visible standards set by visitors to the home. Like Miss Havisham she has trapped herself in a cycle of obsession. However despite these similarities Miss Havisham is in many respects the counter double of Mrs Joe as she has left her house instead to decay in the remains of the wedding. Both women are bound to an identity created by their own misery and in many respects Miss Havisham's wedding dress is her very own apron. A symbol of mourning for a lost marriage. Their outfits have a similar concept reflecting the inability to let go, however the division of social status splits them from one another. Miss Havisham, a woman of class who has fallen into decay while Mrs Joe is a woman of low status dreaming of what life she could have if she hadn't married a blacksmith.
Finally both women are dealt their fate at the hand of fire. Mrs Joe suffers a vicious assault from an "unknown hand" while her "face was turned towards the fire", similarly Miss Havisham is burnt alive at the hands of her own decayed home. Both women suffer as a result flame, reflective perhaps of a release from sin as they loose their manipulative grip on Pip and require forgiveness to move on. Both women are a double act in becoming the creators of their own misery.
Another example of doubles is within the comparison of both Mrs Joe and Miss Havisham. Weiss points out that both are women bound to their homes and both represent dominating "mother figures" to Pip despite behaving in an entirely selfish mentality. Mrs Joe is meant to be the older sibling of Pip and yet she resents him and continuously abuses him both mentally and physically, her statement that she "brought him up by hand" holds both a literal and metaphorical meaning. It is her abuse of Pip that makes him so weak to the manipulation of other women such as Miss Havisham and Estella, he even acknowledges himself that he is "morally timid" in the face of dominance. In addition is the description of Mrs Joe's costuming of which she is described as always wearing "a corse apron" a "square, impregnable bib". Mrs Joe is trapped within her own obsession with cleaning her home, stressing over the visible standards set by visitors to the home. Like Miss Havisham she has trapped herself in a cycle of obsession. However despite these similarities Miss Havisham is in many respects the counter double of Mrs Joe as she has left her house instead to decay in the remains of the wedding. Both women are bound to an identity created by their own misery and in many respects Miss Havisham's wedding dress is her very own apron. A symbol of mourning for a lost marriage. Their outfits have a similar concept reflecting the inability to let go, however the division of social status splits them from one another. Miss Havisham, a woman of class who has fallen into decay while Mrs Joe is a woman of low status dreaming of what life she could have if she hadn't married a blacksmith.
Finally both women are dealt their fate at the hand of fire. Mrs Joe suffers a vicious assault from an "unknown hand" while her "face was turned towards the fire", similarly Miss Havisham is burnt alive at the hands of her own decayed home. Both women suffer as a result flame, reflective perhaps of a release from sin as they loose their manipulative grip on Pip and require forgiveness to move on. Both women are a double act in becoming the creators of their own misery.
No comments:
Post a Comment