How does Dickens present Magwitch in the opening of Great Expectations?

Authors Avatar

How does Dickens present Magwitch in the opening of “Great Expectations”?

Great Expectations is a semi-autobiographical novel written by Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870). It was first published in a magazine named All Year Round in the years 1860 – 1861. The action of the story takes place from Christmas Eve of 1812 to the winter of 1840. Great Expectations is an example of bildungsroman, it tells us about the early moral, psychological and intellectual development of the protagonist, Pip who represents Dickens. At the age of 12, Dickens’ father was imprisoned for debt; this may have been Dickens’ inspiration for the character Magwitch, an escaped convict.

The first chapter is set in the graveyard where Pip is mourning the death of his parents and siblings, this creates a sad atmosphere. The setting also makes us sympathise for Pip as he is an orphan however it also make the reader wary of his surroundings. The description ‘wilderness beyond the churchyard’ suggests the graveyard is lonely and abandoned in the middle of nowhere. It gives the impression that beyond the graveyard there is a dark, open space where anything could be lurking in the shadows. The word ‘wilderness’ gives a sense of isolation or loneliness symbolizing Pips feelings as he has lost many loved ones. Dickens describes the sea as a ‘distant savage lair’. This suggests that the sea is far away and that it is like a trap. It also suggests that Pip is in a dangerous place, it may indicate that something bad is going to happen. This metaphor makes the reader sympathise for Pip as he is a small, lower class boy in a dangerous environment.

Dickens makes Magwitch seem frightening when he first appears. Dickens achieves this affect because we can hear Magwitch before we see him. ‘“Hold your noisel” cried a terrible voice’. This dialogue scares Pip even more as he cannot see Magwitch therefore he may think there is a ghost. The word ‘hold’ portrays Magwitch as a controlling character. This is an example of irony because Dickens describes Magwitch as ‘controlling’ however in the situation Pip is the one with the power as he can choose whether or not to help Magwitch. When Dickens says, ‘as a man started up from among the graves’, he makes Magwitch seem ghostly and creepy. ‘From among the graves’ puts Magwitch across as deadly as if he is rising from his grave. It creates a creepy atmosphere because at first both Pip and the reader may think that Magwitch is a ghost as we cannot see him then Dickens uses threatening language to make Magwitch seem aggressive and controlling. The use of the dialogue makes the reader sympathise for Pip as he appears to be helpless and scared.

Join now!

Dickens continues to put Magwitch across as a frightening character in Chapter one by using threatening language and references of cannibalism. The dialogue ‘your heart and liver shall be tore out, roasted and ate’ implies Magwitch as a powerful and strong character, the language used is an example of cannibalism. The cannibalism references suggest that Magwitch needs help and needs food therefore he will go to desperate measure to get food. Magwitch may also be trying to scare Pip into doing what he wants him to do.  The dialogue makes the reader feel sympathy for Pip as he is ...

This is a preview of the whole essay