How does Dickens create characters that are both memorable and striking? Pay particular attention to chapters one and eight and refer to at least three characters.
How does Dickens create characters that are both memorable and striking? Pay particular attention to chapters one and eight and refer to at least three characters.
This term we have been reading a book by Charles Dickens called 'Great Expectations'. It has been very interesting to read, especially since Charles Dickens makes his novel extremely descriptive as he makes each one of his characters unique and different. In this essay I will be discussing how Dickens creates characters that are memorable and striking. I will not be looking at characters through the whole book, just chapters one and eight. I will be looking back at the story and picking out parts of the book, that Dickens has used to describe his characters with interesting detail, that create wonderful images in your mind that are striking, and will stay with you forever.
The narrative style of this book is written in the first person. We know this as Dickens uses phrases such as, 'I know' and ' I said'. By doing this we also know that the main character Pip is telling us the story. This is a very effective way of writing and makes it not so dull to read. We learn a lot about Pip in the first chapter, by him telling us about his background etc. We learn his name, about his family, his background, like where he is from and where he lives. In the first chapter, we learn to love Pip. We notice that he is a good child, who has had a very bad childhood, and he just wants to be loved and cared about. He is a very innocent child for his age, but on the other hand he has been through a lot that makes him more aware. By writing in the first person there are many advantages, but then there are some disadvantages as well. Advantages, are such things like, you have intermasy with the characters. You can hear about their feelings and what is going on through their minds. You can learn a lot more about the character feelings, which makes the book quite personal. Almost like reading some bodies diary, which is a great effect. Also, while writing in the first person, our approach to the dialogue is different then if it was in third person. Another good thing, is that you do not have to use speech marks for 'I' when writing in first person, only when another character is speaking do you have to use them. However, there are some disadvantages to writing in the first person as well, one of which would be, the book becomes a little more predictable, as you know the outcome of the story. We know that the main character will still be around at the end of the book, as he is telling the story. Another one, is that it is much harder to talk about other characters, as the first person only sees things from his eyes, where as if it was written in third person the writer can see from all angles. Although, in my opinion after reading books in the third person, and also in the first, I would have to say that I prefer reading them in the first person. It makes the whole book different and interesting, you feel like you know the characters. It is a very effective way to write.
The setting of the story has a very big affect on the audience's view of the character. The setting creates a mood, which will relate to the character that is there. Such as, The setting of Chapter one is vital for creating an impression of Magwitch. The setting is ''bleak'' which helps to emphasise the cold and threatening atmosphere. It is in this hostile landscape that we are first introduced to Magwitch. Before introducing us to this, harsh, violent character, Dickens created a mood of fright and wariness. Setting a dreary, scary looking marsh creates this. Dickens description ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
The setting of the story has a very big affect on the audience's view of the character. The setting creates a mood, which will relate to the character that is there. Such as, The setting of Chapter one is vital for creating an impression of Magwitch. The setting is ''bleak'' which helps to emphasise the cold and threatening atmosphere. It is in this hostile landscape that we are first introduced to Magwitch. Before introducing us to this, harsh, violent character, Dickens created a mood of fright and wariness. Setting a dreary, scary looking marsh creates this. Dickens description of the marsh creates a wonderful image of it, we can tell that something bad will happen out there, he just prepares you, and creates the mood. This makes it more exciting to read, and gives a sense of fright. The setting does have a great affect on the character; it helps to describe the character, by where they are and what they are doing there. Another example would be the description of the setting of Miss Havisham's house. Before introducing us to this strange bizarre lady, Dickens sets the scene by describing the even stranger environment that Miss Havisham lives in. He describes the house clearly, which sets a mood of confusion and interest, wanting an explanation for this spooky house. The house is a character on it's own, it has background, memorable characteristics and a story within. Setting is a must have to make a story good, it makes the book more interesting and sets the mood of the character. Dickens does this wonderfully, I've never read a book with such detail of the setting, but it makes the reader look at the character in a whole different light. Miss Havishams house is a big part of the story, and is defiantly a character in itself. It is not just a house; Dickens uses it to show us something. The message from the house is that you can not stop time. He shows us this by, even though Miss Havisham as stopped the clocks and left everything in its exact place, it does not stop things from rotting, decaying, ageing. You can never stop time altogether, no matter how hard you try, nothing will ever stay the same, that is what Dickens is trying to say by using the house.
The characters are also described very particular. Each one has a completely different description and personality, which is really good. Dickens chooses the words he uses to describe characters carefully, making sure that it gives of the right impression of the character. For example the first description of Magwitch is un-forgettable, the language used creates and exact image of him in your mind. He starts of by saying ''A fearful man'', this is a great way to start the description, because already we have got a good idea of how this man is going to look with his body language which is a good start to how they are going to act. Dickens then continues with such phrases like, '' who limped, and shivered, and glared and growled.'' This line gives us an amazing picture in our head, by just using a few simple words. It is the way that Dickens puts the words together, like putting a jigsaw together. This tells us what kind of man Magwitch is straight away, from this we can tell that Magwitch was fearful about what he was doing, however was still not doing something right. By the way he said he was shivering we get the impression he has been out for a long time, and the fact that he glares and growls tells us that he is not always so pleasant. Another great description of a character, would be Miss Havishams. Her description starts off with; ''She was dressed in rich materials- satins, and lace, and silks- all of white.'' This tells us that she is quite rich, as she can afford rich materials like that. ''She had not quite finished dressing, for she had but one shoe on- the other was on the table near her hand- her veil was but half arranged.'' This bit is crucial, it tells us something is definitely not right with this women, it makes you want to read further to hear more about this strange lady. Her whole description is incredible, and you get a clear image of her.
While describing things, Dickens uses long sentence structures, which give you a lot of information at once.
Pip the main character, as got different relationship with each one of the characters. They all fit together; he has many opinions on each character. Pip, has great feelings towards Estella, he loves her dearly, from the moment he meets her until the end of the book. When he first meets her, one of the first thing he says about her is ''I think she is very proud, I think she is very pretty, I think she is very insulting''. From the start he has feelings for her, but realises that she is not feeling the same way about him. He thinks that she is very proud, which he probably judged based on the way that she talks and moves.
Pip also has a lot of feelings about Magwitch. Pip is very scared of Magwitch, which is why he does what he is told, because he is petrified of doing otherwise, in case Magwitch did something unpleasant to him. On some level I think that Pip does also feel sorry towards Magwitch, he is risking a lot by getting Magwitch food, if people were to find out he would be in a lot of trouble. So, I do think that Pip thought that Magwitch deserved food, and felt guilty to do other wise.
Miss Havisham and Pip have a very strange relationship. I think Pip just feels that he is at Miss Havishams house to please her, almost like it's his job to be there with her. He grows to love her as the story goes on, and at her death Pip is quite upset. He likes Miss Havisham as she brings him closer to Estella; she talks to Pip about her, which Pip enjoys. Pip is unaware of the fact that Miss Havisham is trying to use Pip to get back at men. He does not see her as a mean, strange, old women. He is fond of Miss Havisham, and is sad when he learns he can't go back to see her any more.
Pip does not feel too highly of himself, he knows that he is not at the top of class. He thinks everyone thinks he is younger than he is when actually he acts extremely mature for his age. He is not very fond of himself, and just wants to be loved. He has had a rough childhood, and has been put down, which is why he does not feel too highly of himself, and feels that nobody cares about him. He is a stereotypical look at a working class boy.
The characters speech also gives us a great understanding of them, and tells us more about them. Pip talks very proper and grown-up. This shows us that he is mature for his age, and was brought up strict, and expected to do everything right. When he talks he is quite hesitant, this shows us that he is not very confident about himself.
Magwitch, on the other hand, does not talk very proper. His tone is rough and he cuts of the ends of his words. This tells us that he is quite tough, and quite low in the class of people, he was not brought up well, and was not expected to do everything right. He does not hesitate to say anything, this tells us that he does not care what others think, and has a strong view.
Estella, her tone is very proud, and stuck up. The way she speaks and talks to others shows us she is a very proud girl, who thinks highly of herself. She looks down on others while she talks; we learn a lot about Estella's personality by her speech. She talks a lot, and insults a lot of people. This tells us she is not the nicest of people, and as well as being stuck up she also judges others.
Miss Havisham speaks with great sadness in her voice. She does not sound happy or excited while talking; she is always very gloomy and stern. This shows us that she has been through something traumatic and has not yet got through it. She talks very nicely to people, Pip included, so we think that she is a nice lady, just heartbroken, when really she is training Estella up to get revenge on men. Miss Havisham is a bit two faced.
Dickens also uses a very effective way of writing, by having the chapters connect together. This makes the story fit together nicely and makes the story much more enjoyable. Each chapter slots together adding information to the story. For example, chapter one is the meeting of Magwitch, its just setting the scene telling us about him, at the moment we do not know exactly what he is doing or who he is. Although, this continues in Chapter Two and we learn that he is a criminal and he has escaped from prison. Not only this, but we also learn about his relationships with other people. It is very good the way Dickens does this, the Chapters have a connection, and it's not a new topic in each one. There are many connections between later chapters as well. Such as, Miss Havisham and Estelle, the chapters connect together very nicely about these two, each chapter referring back to them. Another technique that Dickens uses is, dropping characters out of the story and then re-introducing them later. He did this with Magwitch, Estelle and Miss Havisham. Magwitch leaves the story by Chapter two, but later on in the book, Dickens re-introduces him to the story, and we learn yet more about his character. This is a good effect on the book, connecting Chapters together like this, makes the writing flow. Dickens does this again with Estelle bringing her out and then back into it. Connecting Chapters when writing a book, is definitely a good idea, it makes the whole story fit together beautifully.
All of these techniques that Charles Dickens uses is what makes such a successful book. Everything used helps to create the perfect characters. By using these, the writing is so clear you can see an exact image of the story in your mind. It's amazing how you have to think of so many different parts while writing a book, to create the characters you want to portrait. It is not as simple as just describing them; you have to think about setting, body language, reactions and their speech. It is incredible the detail writers have to get into. Although, I can say that Charles Dickens achieved this outstandingly.
I enjoyed reading this book, but would like to have read the whole thing. I think that Charles Dickens is a great writer and I will definitely be reading more of his books in the future.
