He felt nothing as the boy, his son, approached him with a look of hesitant entreaty in his welling eyes. He didn’t flinch when the back of his hand sent the boy sprawling on the floor. It was upon seeing the look in the child’s eyes—a look of outright astonishment and terror—when the man gasped, taking in a breath so sharp an so deep that it seemed as though no amount of force could ever squeeze the air out again. What had he done? What had he become? As his head swam and his surroundings seemed to be converging on him, the only other thought that found room in his reeling mind was the simple yet unshakable resolve that this would never, ever happen again. He would change. Such scenes are far from uncommon in literature—or in storytelling in general. The idea of someone getting involved in some sort of evil, then realizing their mistake and seeking redemption, is a theme used quite often. Sometimes a story may include several of these ‘fallen angels’ in its plot. For instance, in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Estella, Pip, and Magwitch could all be considered to fit this sub-theme of ‘fallen angels on their way back home’. Each began their life innocent and full of potential; each fell from their innocence—or had such a fall forced upon them; each, at some point, also recognized the drop they had taken and took steps to correct it.Perhaps the most unobtrusive candidate for fallen angel status—due to her largely unchanging attitude and apparent rejection of the very idea of improvement—is Estella. There can be no argument as to whether or not her life began in an almost angelic innocence, for all lives do. It is also not difficult to distinguish a fall from said innocence—Miss Havisham is obviously responsible, having a…
…Perhaps one of the most defining attributes of Charles Dickens was his ability to create a truly lifelike character. Each one seems as real as though Dickens was merely watching and recording the story as it unfolded before him, and no invention was necessary. Estella, Pip, and Magwitch were no exceptions. Not only did their personalities lend them such a believable air, but their situations did as well—because everyone can identify with them, the fallen angels. Estella was corrupted by a sinister, bitter woman; Pip fell to the notion that money and status are synonymous with happiness and value; Magwitch spent a sizeable amount of his crime-ridden life behind bars. In the end, however, each realized that their respective lives were simply no way to live, and each made an effort to improve. They breached their obstacles. The fallen angels were on their way home.
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