Dickens Techniques of Characterisation in Great Expectations

Dickens Techniques of Characterisation in Great Expectations Many characters in Great Expectations are a rich and varied mix of personalities, in particular Pip, Joe Gargery and Mrs. Joe. The physical description of the characters is an example of the techniques used by Charles Dickens. Other techniques include the speech and habits of the characters, the characters interaction with others, the choice of the characters name and their surroundings. The character who develops the most throughout the novel is Pip. In the introduction, we are presented with Pips depressing origins. He is an orphan having never met his parents who allows the reader to†¦show more content†¦The young boy, already scared by the graveyard, is described as a small bundle of shivers growing afraid of the increasingly somber atmosphere such as the low leaden line (the river) and the distant savage lair (the sea) from which the wind was rushing when he comes face to face with a frightening monster. This technique of creating a very desolate atmosphere enhances the mood of the novels opening with its unfriendly and threatening appearance. Another factor that influences Pips fearful character is the way he was brought up. Due to unfortunate beginning as an orphan, Pip was nurtured by his older sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband Mr. Joe Gargery. Dickens uses the phrase brought up by hand many times in the early life of the novel. Usually, the phrase by hand implies being brought up with care and love, but with the description of Mrs. Joe as knowing her to have a heavy hand, the confusion is cleared up as to what exactly that expression meant. Also, a mother would breast feed her child, whereas Mrs. Joe, although acting as Pips mother, does not have as much love for him and because of her nature, she provides food and milk by hand instead. Dickens choice for using this phrase implies and adds to Pips character as beingShow MoreRelatedEssay about Great Expectations, Life of Pi and the Great Gatsby1274 Words   |  6 PagesEnglish Literature Summer Task The Great Gatsby, Life of Pi and Great Expectations: The Opening Chapters The opening chapters of each of these three books are both similar and different in many ways, and succeed to keep the reader interested enough to carry on their journey with Pip, Nick or Pi. The way characterisation is put forward in these three novels is rather similar, in the fact that all three are written in the first person, giving the impression that the character in question is telling