In Chapter 1, Charles Dickens creates sympathy for two of the main characters, Pip and Magwitch. It is written in the 1st person and therefore automatically emotionally involves the reader. As the book is narrative, we quickly come to the conclusion Pip is the main character, in the novel. The way in which Dickens creates sympathy for the young boy, Pip, is to describe him as innocent and slightly pathetic. This is displayed when Dickens writes, “…and that the small bundles of shivers growing afraid of it all and beginning to cry was Pip”. Pip cried because the loss of his brothers and parents, this makes the reader thinks he is very alone. Also the use of vocabulary adds pity to the character. He uses adjectives to describe what Pip is feeling dickens’ use of dialogue between the two characters has propelled the narrative forward, because Pip’s description of his parents was becoming too long-winded to keep the readers apt attention. When Magwitch first speaks, it is a contrast to the first slightly extensive three paragraphs. Not only is this abrupt introduction of Magwitch a juxtaposition to Pip’s but it makes the reader intrigues and curious about the new character. Therefore the reader is enthralled and wants to read on. Dickens also describes and sets the scene for the mood of the chapter well. The meeting of Magwitch is scary and sinister. This creates sympathy for Pip because we suddenly are worried for his well being. “The marshes were just a long, black, horizontal line then…and the river was just another horizontal line…and the sky was just a row of long, angry, red lines and dense black lines intermixed”. This shows the reader that the setting for the meeting was not a friendly or a favourable environment. Then the reader feels for the two characters, outside, especially Magwitch. Even though Magwitch seemed threatening at first the reader realises that Magwitch’s life is quite hard because he is on the run. The reader then feels deep sympathy for him.
In chapter 8, Charles Dickens creates a lot sympathy for Miss Havisham. This is done by repetition and use of vocabulary. In the first two paragraphs, Miss Havisham and her surroundings are described as beautiful and white, but then in the third paragraph, the reader, in Pips eyes, realises that everything is a disgusting, putrid yellow. “But I saw that everything within my view which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow”. Because we know Miss Havisham was left at the alter and all the repetition of words the reader sympathises with her. We also believe that she is slightly insane. She is not a believable character but Dickens makes her seem interesting. We also feel sorry for Pip again in this chapter because Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter is harsh to him. She makes Pip feel nervous and ashamed of whom he is. “…what course hands he has. And what thick boots!” following this comment Estella made, he becomes to feel scared. We feel sympathy towards Pip strongly.
In chapter 25, Dickens creates sympathy for Wemmick by describing the work he has done to build his fortress. We feel that maybe he is different from other people and quite poor. Wemmick also has an “intensely deaf” father, which he affectionately names the ‘Aged’ that he has to care for. John Wemmick and his father are very proud of the ramshackle castle he built by himself. “My own doing…Look pretty, don’t it?” this also adds a hint of humour to this chapter because the reader thinks this is an interesting, extraordinary but slightly odd man. This appeals to the reader because most of the novel has been sorrowful but this gives the reader some light hearted humorous relief. “…there’s another for you;’ giving him a still more tremendous one; ‘you like that, don’t you?” this is supposed to be funny and make the reader laugh.
In conclusion Dickens is a great novelist that can make the reader feel many contrasting emotions with ease. He does this by use of vocabulary and skill. I think that Dickens creates sympathy more effectively in ‘Great Expectation’ rather than humour. I feel this because Dickens has personal experience of hard times when he should’ve had sympathy, very much like Pip. Dickens creates sympathy in many of his other characters as well. This is obviously a main part of why he has over fifteen well known novels and is still hailed as a great author today.
CHARLOTTE THOMAS
LJE
