Language and atmosphere Essay

Analyse the importance of chapter wiz of Great expectations with regard to caliber, plot, theme, language and atmosphereIn modern society, when our children have boredom creeping over them, they can turn to the technological wonders of our time, much(prenominal) as computers and televisions, and other gadgets and gizmos that have become cat valiumplace in general homes. However, in 1861, the time of the great Charles dickens, there were no such contraptions, and so children and adults a equal turned to the entertainment that books had to offer, and would lose themselves in worlds of imagination, fantasy and the impossible. demons Great Expectations is an excellent example of nineteenth century literary productions and was even published by serialization in the Tempters own magazine All the year round. It is a bildungsroman twaddle that tells the story of a young, poor male child, who is known throughout the novel as whip, that has fantastic, and eventually realised dream s of becoming a reckon gentleman.In chapter one, we are introduced to the rather larger than life character Magwitch, the stereotypical flagitious who the Victorians all love to hate. Our prototypal impression of Magwitch is, just as Charles Dickens intended, of a frightening and dangerous man whose terrible voice terrifies Pip and immediately turns us, the readers against him. Dickens does this to reinforce the fact that he is, after(prenominal) all, a criminal, and to highlight the clichd views of the general public.This could even be viewed as bitter sarcasm, as, although Dickens is bowing to the public mood, he makes it clear for those who look more tight that he does not share the same opinion. On the other hand, Magwitch is too shown in a comical light, I wish I was a frog. Or an eel and we even see a kinder and more vulnerable side, a man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stoneswho limped and shivered.The author shows us these different q ualities so that we can obtain a great understanding of the character and view him in a fairer, more kindly light. In addition to this, Dickens gives us subtle hints throughout the chapter that Magwitch, like all people shows weakness he hugged his shuddering body in both arms and, through Pips narration A man whose legs were numbed and stiff, he tries to make us feel that maybe even criminals deserve a second chance to be respected pillars of society.It is very important that Magwitch is introduced in the first chapter, rather than a later chapter, as this establishes tension and atmosphere, and creates a compelling hook that ordain kick up that the following chapters continue to be purchased. And of course, adding a typical bad cat-o-nine-tails to the equation gives all readers, particularly of the Victorian era, a desperate compulsion to see him beaten Possibly the most important role that Magwitch plays in Great Expectations is that of the instrument of justice.When we f irst meet Magwitch, he is frighten Pip in the churchyard, and shouts at him that he will only stop his dangerous accomplice from harming him, if he brings him food. When Pip fulfils his end of the bargain, Magwitch returns the favour, only historic period later, becoming Pips benefactor and enabling him to start a better, wealthier life. Magwitch, however, is not shown justice, as after months of supporting Pip, he is captured, thrown in a detain cell, and later dies of exhaustion. Once again, this underlines the harsh views of the Victorians and the severe attitude towards criminals in the 19th century.We are also introduced to Pip in the opening chapter the main character in Great Expectations, and the novels narrator. The story opens with him remembering himself as a boy, standing alone and crying in a churchyard near the marshes the small bundle of shivers growing afraid of it all and first-class honours degree to cry, was Pip. Dickens depicts him as a harmless, caring boy, so as to draw sympathy from the reader, even though at that point in the story, Pip is content with his common life. When Magwitch is introduced, the narrator Pip presents an interesting kin between himself and the bullying man.At first, the relationship appears to be based just on power and fear. The man yells at Pip to get what he wants, a file and some food, and Pip responds, only because he fears for his life. And yet, after they part, the young Pip keeps looking back at the man as he walks away. The image of Magwitch holding his arms around him is remarkably old(prenominal) to the initial image of young Pip, holding himself in the cold, alone in the churchyard with the stones of his dead parents. For a moment, the relationship seems to warm.They share a common loneliness, the orphan and the escaped convict. Even while he is afraid, Pip instinctively displays a sympathetic reaction. This initial meeting, between a small boy and a convict, will develop into the central relatio nship in the book, which will cause Pips great expectations of himself to rise and fall. The authors decision to assume the character of Pip, and therefore write using first person narrative, proves to be very significant in the development of the story.