Great Expectations: Writer's Methods and Techniques
Bildungsroman: The novel follows the psychological and moral growth of Pip from childhood to adulthood, detailing his experiences, conflicts, and eventual maturity. This structure allows Dickens to explore the impact of environment and social aspirations on an individual's development, making Pip's journey a central focus.
Fairy Tale Inversion: Dickens often uses motifs from traditional fairy tales but subverts them to challenge conventional expectations and add complexity. For instance, Pip's 'prince' figure (Magwitch) is a convict, and his 'princess' (Estella) is emotionally cold, complicating the simplistic morality often found in fairy tales.
Circular Structure: The narrative begins and ends in the marshlands and at Joe's forge, suggesting a return to origins and a completion of Pip's moral journey. This structural device emphasizes Pip's eventual acceptance of his past and the values represented by Joe, contrasting with his earlier rejection of them.
Gothic Elements: Dickens incorporates elements such as eerie settings (Satis House, the churchyard), mysterious characters (Magwitch, Miss Havisham), and psychological torment to create an atmosphere of suspense and highlight the darker aspects of the human condition. These elements contribute to the novel's unique mood and thematic depth.
First-Person Narration (Adult Pip): The story is recounted by an older, wiser Pip, allowing for a retrospective and often critical perspective on his younger self's actions and motivations. This narrative distance enables Dickens to infuse the story with irony, regret, and a mature understanding of the events, while still conveying the immediacy of childhood experiences.
Caricature: Dickens frequently employs exaggerated characterizations, particularly for minor figures like Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook, to emphasize their moral deficiencies or societal roles. These caricatures often serve a dual purpose, providing both comic relief and moral instruction, highlighting the author's social commentary.
Tone: The narrative is characterized by a complex tone that shifts between reflective, regretful, comic, and ironic, often imbued with pathos. This varied tone allows Dickens to explore the emotional nuances of Pip's journey, from his youthful naivety to his mature disillusionment and eventual redemption.
Imagery: Dickens uses rich sensory details to create vivid pictures and atmospheres, such as the descriptions of the desolate marsh country or the decaying grandeur of Satis House. This imagery not only sets the scene but also contributes significantly to the novel's mood and symbolic meaning.
Symbolism: Key objects and settings carry deeper meanings throughout the novel. The marsh symbolizes Pip's humble origins and the inescapable nature of guilt, while Satis House represents decay, emotional sterility, and Miss Havisham's frozen past. The fire and forge symbolize warmth, honesty, and life-giving forces, contrasting with the coldness of Satis House.
Parallelisms and Repetitions: Dickens uses recurring scenes, character types, and thematic echoes to draw comparisons and highlight development. For example, Pip's initial encounter with Magwitch on the marshes is paralleled by their later meeting in London, emphasizing the profound change in Pip's circumstances and perception. This technique reinforces thematic ideas and character arcs.
Bildungsroman vs. Traditional Fairy Tale: While 'Great Expectations' shares the journey motif with fairy tales, its Bildungsroman nature emphasizes psychological realism and moral complexity over simplistic good-versus-evil narratives. Pip's ending is one of moderate success and moral growth, not necessarily the 'happily ever after' of a fairy tale, reflecting a more nuanced view of life's outcomes.
Adult Pip's Narration vs. Child Pip's Perspective: The narrative voice is distinct in its ability to present both the immediate, often naive, thoughts and feelings of young Pip and the mature, critical reflections of the older narrator. This dual perspective allows Dickens to comment on the past actions of his protagonist with wisdom and regret, a depth absent in a purely present-tense child's narration.
Imagery vs. Symbolism: Imagery provides sensory descriptions that create a mood or picture, such as the 'dark, flat wilderness' of the marshes. Symbolism, however, assigns a deeper, abstract meaning to these concrete images, transforming the marsh into a representation of Pip's guilt or the harshness of his early life. While all symbols use imagery, not all imagery is symbolic.
Serial Publication Structure vs. Conventional Novel Structure: The novel's original serial publication led to a structure with frequent 'mini-resolutions' and cliffhangers to maintain reader engagement week-to-week, rather than a single, sustained build-up to a grand climax. This differs from novels conceived solely for single-volume publication, which might have a more continuous and less episodic plot progression.
Identify the Technique: When analyzing a passage or character, first identify the specific literary technique Dickens is using (e.g., first-person narration, symbolism, caricature). Simply naming the technique is the first step, but not sufficient for high marks.
Explain the Effect: Crucially, explain why Dickens uses that particular technique and what effect it has on the reader, character, or theme. For example, don't just state 'Dickens uses symbolism'; explain 'The symbolism of the decaying Satis House effectively conveys Miss Havisham's emotional stagnation and the destructive nature of her revenge.'
Link to Themes/Characters: Always connect the identified technique back to the novel's major themes (e.g., social class, ambition, guilt) or character development. Show how the technique deepens the reader's understanding of these central aspects of the novel.
Use Textual Evidence: Support your analysis with concise, relevant quotations or specific references to events in the text. Integrate these seamlessly into your explanation, demonstrating a strong command of the novel's details.
Consider Authorial Intent: Frame your analysis by considering Dickens's purpose. Use phrases like 'Dickens intends to show,' 'Dickens highlights,' or 'Dickens critiques' to demonstrate an understanding of the author's deliberate choices and their impact.
Confusing Plot Summary with Analysis: A common mistake is to merely retell parts of the story instead of analyzing how Dickens tells it. Focus on the 'how' (the technique) and its 'why' (the effect), rather than just the 'what' (the plot event).
Listing Techniques Without Explanation: Simply identifying literary devices without explaining their impact or significance will not earn high marks. Every mention of a technique must be followed by a clear explanation of its function and effect within the text.
Overlooking the Dual Narrative Voice: Students sometimes treat Pip's narration as a single, consistent voice, forgetting the distinction between the naive child's perspective and the reflective adult's commentary. Recognizing this duality is key to understanding the novel's irony and thematic depth.
Misinterpreting Symbolism: Assuming a symbol has only one fixed meaning or failing to consider its evolving significance throughout the novel can lead to superficial analysis. For example, the forge initially represents warmth and security, but Pip later views it with shame, showing the shifting nature of its symbolism.
Ignoring the Impact of Serial Publication: Disregarding the novel's original publication format can lead to a misunderstanding of its episodic structure and the presence of 'mini-resolutions.' This context helps explain certain narrative choices that might otherwise seem unconventional.