This essay is based on "Great Expectations" by Dickens.
The life of Abel Magwitch was determined by his social position, lack of education and good manners. Dickens did not call him directly a ‘victim of society’, but Magwitch surely was one. The consequences of it were among other things his hard and unjust sentence when he had been tried together with Compeyson as well as his wish to take revenge on society by creating a ‘gentleman’.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The main objective of this essay is to analyze the life of Abel Magwitch from Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations," exploring the thesis that he is a tragic victim of a biased Victorian society rather than merely a common criminal.
- Chronological reconstruction of Magwitch's life events
- Analysis of social inequality and the unfair treatment of the lower class
- Exploration of the "gentleman" construct as a tool for social revenge
- Examination of the psychological impact of social exclusion
- Evaluation of Magwitch’s personal growth and emotional redemption
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
The life of Abel Magwitch was determined by his social position, lack of education and good manners. Dickens did not call him directly a ‘victim of society’, but Magwitch surely was one. The consequences of it were among other things his hard and unjust sentence when he had been tried together with Compeyson as well as his wish to take revenge on society by creating a ‘gentleman’.
I am going to present the most important events in Magwitch’s life, but in a different order than they are presented in the book, namely in chronological order from his childhood to his death. This seems to me to be the best way to follow the story of Magwitch’s life, explain the reasons why in my opinion he was a victim of society and show the consequences of this fact.
Before I go on, I would like to make one important remark. Magwitch speaks a simple language of uneducated people. When I quote him, I do not mark ‘mistakes’ he makes in his statements.
Just at the beginning it has to be mentioned how meaningful the first name of Magwitch is. Although Dickens never uses the term ‘victim of society’ when he is writing about Magwitch, he chooses a biblical name for him which indicates that Magwitch cannot be really blame for his faults, as he is only a victim of society just as “Abel (in the Old Testament) was the brother and guiltless victim of the aggressive Cain” (Martin 52-53).
The young Abel Magwitch is an orphan and has nobody to care for him. He himself says: “I first became aware of myself, down in Essex, a thieving turnips for my living” (Dickens 346). He traps, gets a simple education like reading and writing from strangers and works sometimes, but to survive he has often to beg and steal food.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter outlines the thesis that Abel Magwitch is a victim of society and sets the stage for a chronological analysis of his life, starting from his orphaned childhood.
Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the arguments, confirming that Magwitch’s criminal path was a byproduct of societal neglect and injustice, ultimately finding redemption through his relationship with Pip.
Keywords
Abel Magwitch, Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, victim of society, Victorian society, social status, criminality, gentleman, revenge, class struggle, Pip, Compeyson, injustice, Victorian literature, moral superiority
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on Abel Magwitch from Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations" and argues that he should be viewed as a victim of the societal conditions of his time.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include social injustice, the limitations placed on the poor, the Victorian concept of a "gentleman," and the psychological desire for revenge against an unforgiving class structure.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze Magwitch's life events chronologically to demonstrate how systemic neglect and societal bias shaped his criminal identity and his subsequent quest for redemption.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author utilizes a literary analysis approach, reconstructing the character's life timeline and examining character motivation through the lens of social critique and historical context.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines Magwitch's childhood, his exploitation by Compeyson, the unfairness of his legal trials compared to his higher-class counterparts, and his later attempts to reshape Pip’s life as a form of social vengeance.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The primary keywords are Abel Magwitch, Great Expectations, victim of society, social class, and Victorian morality.
Why does the author focus on the biblical origin of the name "Abel"?
The author points out that naming the character Abel serves as a symbolic marker, suggesting he is an innocent, guiltless victim of a hostile environment, paralleling the biblical story of Cain and Abel.
How does the author interpret Magwitch’s relationship with Pip?
The author suggests that while Magwitch initially uses Pip as a tool for revenge, he eventually develops a profound paternal love, which ultimately provides him with peace and happiness before his death.
- Quote paper
- Katarzyna Paluba (Author), 2004, Magwitch as victim of society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73531
