The Gothic in Great Expectations
How is Gothic depicted in Great Expectations ?
There are multiple genres in Great Expectations, one being Gothic at some points it has fairy tale aspects but mirroring that it also reflects reality. However the majority of the time it uses fractions of different genres, mixing them up together to create what we interpret as 'the Gothic'. The book presents it's readers with all elements of Gothic right from the beginning of the book where Magwitch's first meeting with pip is connected with death. 'eluding the hands of of the dead people'. Death never seems to far away from the characters in this book, its as if at any point the dead could reach up and grab you.
How is the Grotesque depicted in Great Expectations ?
The grotesque in literature tends to refer to a type of writing which is exaggerated and fairy tale like, however it is distinctly dark and evil unlike the fairy tale. Pip and Magwitch's relationship has been often interpreted as being conflicted in terms of emotions.
Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. is a realist novel which includes multiple genres, one being the grotesque. The grotesque is very apparent in the opening chapters for example when Pip meets convict Magwitch.
The grotesque in literature tends to refer to a type of writing which is exaggerated and fairy tale like, however it is distinctly dark and evil unlike the fairy tale. Pip and Magwitch's relationship has been often interpreted as being conflicted in terms of emotions.
Charles Dickens's Great Expectations. is a realist novel which includes multiple genres, one being the grotesque. The grotesque is very apparent in the opening chapters for example when Pip meets convict Magwitch.
Surprise and shock are particular elements of the grotesque in the novel, this can be seen when Magwitch startles Pip and quickly tells him to "Hold your noise!" which alarms Pip. He goes on to threatening to cut Pip throat which is extremely aggressive dialogue.
Another element of the grotesque is the merging of human and animal characteristics when describing the characters. For example Magwitch is continuously described like an animal by both himself and Pip, one scene when this is apparent is when Pip wishes Magwitch goodnight the convict glances at the cold and dreary marshland and says "I wish I was a frog. Or a eel!". Another scene Pip describes Magwitch as a pet dog while he watches him eat "was very dog like"
The differences between life and death are another aspect of the grotesque, this can be seen when Magwitch is portrayed a having "started up from among the graves" and also Pip's perception of how he seemed to be "eluding the hands of the dead people" which is linked to the convict with the deceased in the church yard.
Another element of the grotesque is the merging of human and animal characteristics when describing the characters. For example Magwitch is continuously described like an animal by both himself and Pip, one scene when this is apparent is when Pip wishes Magwitch goodnight the convict glances at the cold and dreary marshland and says "I wish I was a frog. Or a eel!". Another scene Pip describes Magwitch as a pet dog while he watches him eat "was very dog like"
The differences between life and death are another aspect of the grotesque, this can be seen when Magwitch is portrayed a having "started up from among the graves" and also Pip's perception of how he seemed to be "eluding the hands of the dead people" which is linked to the convict with the deceased in the church yard.
What are specific elements of the Uncanny ?
The uncanny is term that describes both something familiar and different at the same time it can also mean when someone witnesses something supernatural, death like or something that fills them with fear and dread. This theme presents its self numerous times throughout the book, but we mainly see it when Pip sees Miss Havisham for the first time. the extract below is a good example of this. The uncanniness presents itself simply by repeating words (highlighted in the text). Pip is unable to escape what he sees in front of him, he doesn't believe his own eyes and he is unsure of how to react to what he sees 'I should have cried out, if I could'. With both the characters of Miss Havisham and Magwitch they resemble the dead a great deal, and the readers can see the fine line between life a death start to crumble away.
The uncanny is term that describes both something familiar and different at the same time it can also mean when someone witnesses something supernatural, death like or something that fills them with fear and dread. This theme presents its self numerous times throughout the book, but we mainly see it when Pip sees Miss Havisham for the first time. the extract below is a good example of this. The uncanniness presents itself simply by repeating words (highlighted in the text). Pip is unable to escape what he sees in front of him, he doesn't believe his own eyes and he is unsure of how to react to what he sees 'I should have cried out, if I could'. With both the characters of Miss Havisham and Magwitch they resemble the dead a great deal, and the readers can see the fine line between life a death start to crumble away.
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