Language and atmosphere Essay

Analyse the importance of chapter one of Great expectations with visualize to character, plot, theme, language and atmosphereIn modern society, when our children feel boredom creeping over them, they can hug drug to the technological wonders of our time, such as computers and televisions, and other gadgets and gizmos that have become commonplace in e reallyday homes. However, in 1861, the time of the great Charles Dickens, there were no such contraptions, and so children and adults alike turned to the entertainment that books had to offer, and would with pose themselves in worlds of imagination, fantasy and the impossible. Dickenss Great Expectations is an excellent example of 19th century publications and was even published by serialization in Dickenss own magazine altogether the year round. It is a bildungsro domain tale that tells the story of a young, poor boy, who is known throughout the unfermented as come to, that has fantastic, and eventu exclusivelyy realised dreams o f becoming a respected gentleman.In chapter one, we are introduced to the sooner larger than life character Magwitch, the stereotypical criminal who the Victorians all love to hate. Our first impression of Magwitch is, hardly as Charles Dickens intended, of a frightening and dangerous man whose terrible voice terrifies strike and forthwith turns us, the readers against him. Dickens does this to reinforce the fact that he is, after 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 well that he does not dish out the same opinion. On the other hand, Magwitch is also shown in a diverting light, I wish I was a frog. Or an eel and we even see a kinder and more endangered 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 diametrical qualitie s so that we can obtain a greater under rest of the character and view him in a fairer, more sympathetic 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 darts narration A man whose legs were numbed and stiff, he tries to make us feel that perchance even criminals deserve a second chance to be respected pillars of society.It is very in-chief(postnominal) 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 go away ensure that the following chapters continue to be purchased. And of course, adding a typical bad guy to the equation gives all readers, particularly of the Victorian era, a desperate need to see him beaten Possibly the most important role that Magwitch plays in Great Expectations is that of the instrument of justice.When we first meet Magwitch, he is intimidating 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 years 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 jail cell, and later dies of exhaustion. Once again, this underlines the acidulous 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 principal(prenominal) character in Great Expectations, and the novels storyteller. 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 alarmed of it all and beginning to cry, was Pip. Dickens depicts him as a harmless, caring boy, so as to d raw 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 relationship between himself and the bullying man.At first, the relationship appears to be based altogether on power and fear. The man yells at Pip to get what he wants, a file and approximately 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 count on of Magwitch holding his arms around him is remarkably familiar 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 prof ound relationship 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.