How Dickens Creates Sympathy for the Characters in Great ExpectationsPublished initially as a weekly contribution in a local newspaper,Dickens’ Great Expectations developed to be a great success. GreatExpectations was a story for all classes, both rich and poorappreciated his efforts. Great Expectations is the tale of PhillipPirrip who has no family except an older sister, he feels insecure inthe world around him. Having no parents to give him a sense ofidentity, he wanders in the wilderness that is the graveyard to searchfor answers. Dickens’ own life was very much along the lines of Pip,his father a well paid clerk went to jail for unpaid debts. Dickenshimself was a weak and feeble child who was not cared for. He mouldshis family history in to the character of Pip, who also suffers in away that Dickens had. This essay focuses on which writing techniquesDickens uses to help the reader empathize with the characters of Pipand Magwich. The techniques in particular to be examined are setting,characterization, narrative voice and dialogue.
The chapter opens in the desolate setting of a marshy graveyard.Already an ambience of anxiety and uncertainty has been created. Themarsh is a symbol of wilderness, amid which stands a lonely Pip. Pipis physically and mentally alone in his surroundings; he has no senseof belonging. This helps the reader empathize Pip’s helplessness andisolation. The wet and marshy scenery resemble a distorted nature,which reflects the events happening in Pip’s life. The graveyardsymbolizes death and terror. It is in the graveyard that Pip realizesthe death of his parents and encounters Magwich.
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Pip’s innocent mind hallucinates about the appearance of his parent…
…in the reader as he describes in his own words, his misfortune andabandoned past.
Alternatively, Dickens use of dialogue with Magwich creates a negativeimpression for him in the reader. Magwich is very aggressive in hismannerism and dialogue, for instance, `Hold your noise’. The suddencontrast of dialogues (from courteous to offensive) creates confusionin the passage, similar to the one that runs between Magwich and Pipthroughout the chapter. However, Magwich’s character is revealedthrough his dialogue and the reader starts comprehending his reasonfor acting hostile manner towards Pip. Like Pip, Magwich is alsovulnerable as seen with `I wish I was a frog. Or a eel!’ This piece ofdialogue shows Magwich as a man who is infuriated with his poorstandard of life. The similarity between Magwich and Pip is made moreapparent with their dialogue.
