This paper seeks to analyze the two most dominating Gothic elements in Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations" and their effect on the atmosphere and on the development of the main protagonist Pip. From his earliest works, Dickens has included elements of Gothic literary conventions into his novels. Dickens used the rich atmospheric, thematic and metaphorical repertoire of Gothic elements to entertain his readers and to utter social critique. In his novels Dickens produces a scary, menacing and mysterious atmosphere and similarly depicts the social problems of the “haunted British society” (Mighall 86). This is explicitly true for Dickens’s novel "Great Expectations".
In academic literature there have been diverse critical interpretations about Dickens’s use of Gothic elements and their effect. However, it is still a growing field of academical research and only few Gothic elements of the novel Great Expectations are documented in detail.
To get an overview of the Gothic novel’s genre, the characteristic elements of Gothic novels will be introduced in brief. These are the Gothic setting as well as supernatural and irrational elements. To get an instrument for the analysis of the Gothic setting in "Great Expectations", the characteristics of the Gothic novel’s setting will be introduced. Then, the atmospheric effects of the settings Satis House, London, and the misty marshes in Dickens’ "Great Expectations" will be analyzed in detail. Also, their influence on Pip’s personal development will be examined.
Furthermore, the repertoire of the supernatural and irrational elements in the Gothic novel will be presented. In "Great Expectations" these Gothic elements are represented through Pip’s dreams and hallucinations which also add to the haunting atmosphere and illustrate Pip’s development. In the end, the most important findings of the paper will be summarized and further aspects of the topic will be pointed out.
Throughout the paper, it will be shown that the Gothic elements in "Great Expectations" create a menacing and mysterious atmosphere and also illustrate and influence the personal development of Pip.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Gothic Novel and its Repertoire of Gothic Elements
- 3. The Gothic Setting
- 3.1. The Misty Marches
- 3.2. Satis House: A Relict of the Gothic Castle
- 3.3. Pip's London: An Exotic Word Full of Guilt and Crime
- 4. Supernatural and Irrational Elements
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the use of Gothic elements in Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, focusing on their contribution to the novel's atmosphere and Pip's development. It aims to provide a detailed examination of the most prominent Gothic elements, offering a fresh perspective on existing critical interpretations.
- The atmospheric effect of Gothic settings in shaping the narrative.
- The role of supernatural and irrational elements in illustrating Pip's psychological journey.
- The connection between Gothic conventions and social critique in Dickens's work.
- Pip's transformation and moral development as influenced by the Gothic elements.
- The symbolic significance of various settings within the novel.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central argument: that the Gothic elements in Great Expectations significantly contribute to both the atmosphere and the protagonist Pip's personal growth. It highlights the lack of detailed analysis on this specific aspect of the novel within existing academic literature and outlines the scope of the paper, which will focus on the Gothic setting and supernatural/irrational elements. The introduction sets the stage by quoting Bowen's description of the novel as "haunting and haunted," foreshadowing the thematic exploration of the Gothic in Dickens' work. It also briefly introduces the genre conventions of the Gothic novel, laying the groundwork for the subsequent analysis.
2. The Gothic Novel and its Repertoire of Gothic Elements: This chapter provides a concise overview of the Gothic novel genre, defining its historical context and outlining its characteristic elements. It establishes the key features that will be used as analytical tools in the subsequent chapters, highlighting the typical settings (haunted castles, ruins, etc.), atmospheric elements (mystery, suspense, horror), and recurring narrative patterns (secrets, villains, love stories). This chapter sets the stage for the analysis by providing the framework within which the Gothic elements in Great Expectations will be evaluated.
3. The Gothic Setting: This chapter explores the crucial role of setting in Gothic novels, emphasizing its contribution to the overall atmosphere and its allegorical function in reflecting the characters' inner states. It discusses the use of nature, particularly darkness and wild landscapes, to heighten suspense and create a sense of unease. The chapter also introduces the Gothic castle as a key setting, emphasizing its claustrophobic and labyrinthine nature and its symbolic representation of power and decay. This section provides the foundation for the detailed analysis of specific settings in Great Expectations in the following subchapters.
3.1. The Misty Marches: This section delves into the atmospheric effects of the marshes in Great Expectations, showcasing how Dickens employs the Gothic setting to reflect Pip's emotional journey and foreshadow events. The misty marshes, portrayed as dark, menacing and filled with suspense, serve as a backdrop for key encounters, symbolizing Pip's initial distorted perspective and his subsequent transformation. The changes in the atmospheric descriptions of the marshes as the novel progresses mirror Pip's moral and emotional development.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Gothic novel, Great Expectations, Charles Dickens, Gothic setting, supernatural elements, irrational elements, atmosphere, Pip, character development, social critique, marshes, Satis House, London.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Gothic Elements in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations
What is the overall topic of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the use of Gothic elements in Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, focusing on how these elements contribute to the novel's atmosphere and Pip's character development. It examines the atmospheric effect of Gothic settings, the role of supernatural and irrational elements in Pip's psychological journey, the connection between Gothic conventions and social critique, and the symbolic significance of various settings.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the atmospheric effect of Gothic settings in shaping the narrative; the role of supernatural and irrational elements in illustrating Pip's psychological journey; the connection between Gothic conventions and social critique in Dickens' work; Pip's transformation and moral development as influenced by the Gothic elements; and the symbolic significance of various settings within the novel.
What specific Gothic elements are examined in the paper?
The paper examines the Gothic settings (including the misty marshes, Satis House, and Pip's London), supernatural and irrational elements, and how these elements contribute to the overall atmosphere and themes of the novel.
How is the paper structured?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a chapter outlining the key elements of the Gothic novel, a chapter focusing on the Gothic setting (with subsections on specific locations like the marshes and Satis House), a chapter on supernatural and irrational elements, and a conclusion. Chapter summaries are provided.
What specific settings are analyzed in detail?
The paper analyzes the misty marshes, Satis House, and Pip's London as key Gothic settings, exploring their atmospheric effects and symbolic significance in relation to Pip's character development and the novel's themes.
What is the significance of the Gothic setting in the novel, according to the paper?
The paper argues that the Gothic setting is crucial in establishing the atmosphere of the novel and reflecting Pip's inner emotional states. The descriptions of nature, darkness, and wild landscapes contribute to suspense and unease.
What is the role of supernatural and irrational elements in the novel, as discussed in the paper?
The paper investigates how supernatural and irrational elements contribute to Pip's psychological journey and overall development throughout the narrative. These elements are examined as crucial tools for illustrating character transformation and moral growth.
What is the conclusion of the paper?
The conclusion summarizes the findings, reinforcing the paper's central argument about the significant contribution of Gothic elements to both the atmosphere and Pip's personal growth in Great Expectations.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Gothic novel, Great Expectations, Charles Dickens, Gothic setting, supernatural elements, irrational elements, atmosphere, Pip, character development, social critique, marshes, Satis House, London.
- Quote paper
- Sabrina Rutner (Author), 2014, The Gothic Elements and Atmosphere in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations". An Analysis, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/308934