Pip’s innocent mind hallucinates about the appearance of his parents from their tombstones; his misreading of the situation represents a lack of communication. This creates sympathy for Pip because the reader knows that Pip’s childish conclusions are shadowed from the truth. Pip’s gloomy and unpleasant surroundings transform him into a “small bundle of shivers”. The reader is once again reminded of Pip’s vulnerability and defenselessness. The reader feels sympathy for Pip’s misfortune as he suffers from the grief of his family and then terrorization from a “fearful” convict. For Pip death is in the form of Magwich, a violent convict whose sole purpose is to harm. Magwich’s death is symbolized by the gallows, which create “terrible” thoughts in Pip’s mind. The mutual misunderstanding created between the characters of their surroundings makes the reader sympathize with both Pip and Magwich.
Dickens introduces us immediately to Pip, who is both the central character of Great Expectations and the story's narrator. The name Pip suggests a physically small character that has yet to develop (in to an adult perhaps), just like the pip of a fruit. Dickens builds up the character of Pip throughout the passage. Pip at first seems like an innocent child safe from harm, hopelessly abandoned without his parents. Suddenly Pip is attacked by an unknown stranger, clad in chains and dishevelled in appearance. The immediacy of the situation seems comedic at first but develops to become the focus of the passage. The reader feels sorry for Pip as the escaped convict threaten him just after he realised the death of his parents. The convict, namely Magwich is the ogre of any child’s nightmare. Pip portrays Magwich as a “fearful” man; Pip’s prolonged list on Magwich’s appearance creates the impression of a child describing a horrendous creature. This increases the compassion the reader has for Pip since the reader knows exactly how Pip felt at the time.
The reader also empathises with Magwich as they are told of his poor state and weather torn clothes. As the passage progresses the reader discovers that although very diverse in nature, both Pip and Magwich are insecure. Pip sees Magwich hugging “his shuddering body in both his arms - clasping himself”. The image of the Magwich holding his arms around him, alone in the marshes, is familiar to the initial image of young Pip: “a small bundle of shivers”. Both characters share a common loneliness and isolation from the world, the orphan and the escaped convict. This is a contrast to the beginning of the passage where the relationship between Pip and Magwich is based on fear and obedience. The reader feels compassion towards the dependent nature of both characters.
Great Expectations was written in the first person narrative, this makes the reader develop an insight into narrator’s thoughts and emotions towards other characters and the setting. However this limits the credibility of the narrator, as we do not know what other characters think and feel. In a way the first person narrative voice makes Pip feel sympathy for himself as he looks back on his life, this limits the reliability of his narrating.
On the other hand Dickens’ use of the first person with Pip helps the reader feel compassionate towards his experiences. For example “I pleaded with terror” shows a petrified Pip pleading to Magwich for his life. Another feature of the first person narration helps the reader picture the narrators setting, as seen with “angry red lines”, “low leaden lines”. The vivid metaphors create an atmosphere of darkness through Pip’s eyes; the reader pictures the novel in the way that the narrator sees his surroundings. The omniscience of the first person narrator creates the element of surprise because the reader unlike the narrator doesn’t know what to expect next. Dickens makes it seem as if Pip guides us through his world as we learn about his thoughts and feelings.
The use of dialogue in characters is a key technique Dickens uses to create their character.
Dickens’ use of dialogue with Pip creates an understanding and trust for him in the reader. Pip is very polite and conservative in his dialogue. In the opening sentence we are introduced to Pip as if in a casual conversation, as seen with “My father's family name being Pirrip … nothing longer or more explicit than Pip”. The reader feels compassion for Pip as they learn that he could not pronounce his own name as a child. The reader’s sympathy grows for Pip as they learn of his unfortunate past and Pip’s realisation of his family’s death, as seen with “… the small bundle of shivers growing afraid of it all and beginning to cry, was Pip. Pip’s dialogue creates more empathy for him in the reader as he describes in his own words, his misfortune and abandoned past.
Alternatively, Dickens use of dialogue with Magwich creates a negative impression for him in the reader. Magwich is very aggressive in his mannerism and dialogue, for instance, `Hold your noise'. The sudden contrast of dialogues (from courteous to offensive) creates confusion in the passage, similar to the one that runs between Magwich and Pip throughout the chapter. However, Magwich’s character is revealed through his dialogue and the reader starts comprehending his reason for acting hostile manner towards Pip. Like Pip, Magwich is also vulnerable as seen with `I wish I was a frog. Or a eel!’ This piece of dialogue shows Magwich as a man who is infuriated with his poor standard of life. The similarity between Magwich and Pip is made more apparent with their dialogue.
