Introduction
The following work is an analysis of the female characters in Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations especially with regard to Victorian gender constructions and Dickens’s image of women. Dickens’s biography and the depiction of very diverse female characters in his novels stimulated the idea of a closer analysis.
First of all, a short summary of Great Expectations is provided. Then, the Victorian construction of gender will be discussed. As will be shown, a very strict ideology regarding gender roles existed during the Victorian age. Obviously, Dickens must have been influenced by the ideas of his contemporaries which should then be presented in the novel.
Another focus will be on how his relationships to women influenced his image of women and also, consequently, the depiction of his female characters in Great Expectations.
Finally the female characters, with reference to Victorian gender roles and Dickens’s image of women, will be analyzed in greater detail. The focus is on four women who I believe to be the most important female characters in the novel and powerful representatives of the author’s image of women and Victorian gender construction.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. A short summary of Great Expectations
- 2. Victorian construction of gender
- 3. Dickens's image of women
- 4. The female characters in Great Expectations
- 4.1 Estella
- 4.2 Mrs. Joe Gargery
- 4.3 Miss Havisham
- 4.4 Biddy
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the female characters in Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, focusing on the impact of Victorian gender roles and Dickens's portrayal of women. It explores how these factors shaped the author's depiction of the female characters, drawing connections between Dickens's life and the themes he explores in his novel.
- Victorian gender roles and their influence on society.
- Dickens's personal views on women and how they are reflected in his work.
- The portrayal of female characters in Great Expectations, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
- The impact of social class on the lives and choices of women in the Victorian era.
- The complex relationship between love, ambition, and social expectations in the novel.
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: This chapter provides a brief overview of the paper's focus, outlining the analysis of female characters in Great Expectations within the context of Victorian gender roles and Dickens's perspective on women.
- 1. A short summary of Great Expectations: This chapter provides a concise summary of the plot of Great Expectations, introducing the main characters and key events that drive the narrative.
- 2. Victorian construction of gender: This chapter explores the dominant gender norms and expectations prevalent in Victorian England, highlighting the rigid social structures and prescribed roles for women.
- 3. Dickens's image of women: This chapter delves into Dickens's personal views on women, analyzing how his relationships and experiences may have shaped his portrayal of female characters in his novels.
- 4. The female characters in Great Expectations: This chapter examines specific female characters in the novel, focusing on their individual personalities, motivations, and struggles within the context of Victorian society and Dickens's image of women.
Keywords
Key themes and concepts explored in this paper include Victorian gender roles, Dickens's portrayal of women, female characters in Great Expectations, social class, love, ambition, and social expectations. This analysis delves into the complex interplay of these factors in shaping the lives and choices of the female characters in the novel.
- Quote paper
- Anja Dinter (Author), 2004, Victorian gender roles and Dickens’s image of women as represented in the female characters in "Great Expectations", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/75112
