1. Introduction
Charles Dickens’ novel „Great Expectations“ as a Bildungsroman or gothic novel depicts the growth of a young boy from low social class origin to an adult gentleman containing the struggles with women, employers and relatives.
The main character Philip ‘Pip’ Pirrip introduces the reader to the novel as a young boy from about six years, although Pip indeed wrote down the story of his life as an adult. Pip has always dreamt of becoming well-educated and of being introduced to a higher social class than he actually belonged to at first. Fortunately, Pip is granted the chance of social rising and he gets to know a lot of people who influence him and his great expectations from his early youth crucially.
In Victorian times women and men were regarded to be different in their nature but never-theless complementary. Women should be a guideline for their husbands in moral and reli-gious questions. When the husbands were at home they were protected from “destructive tendencies of the market” (Farrell). In “Great Expectations” it is not easy to find one woman who fits into this ideal. Especially the three main female characters are rather de-structive than protective for men.
However, throughout the novel Pip is confronted with several women of different calibre, from shrewd and hysterical, cold-hearted and distant to caring and loveable. On the follow-ing pages I am going to introduce and characterise the three main female characters who influence Pip’s life the most: his sister Mrs. Joe Gargery, Mrs. Havisham and Estella. Of course Pip gets to know more women, but since they play only a more or less minor role in his life, I am not going to put them under consideration. After having described and char-acterised the three women, I am going to analyse their relationship towards Pip and in the end come to a final conclusion.
2. Characterisation of three main female characters
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Characterisation of three main female characters
- Mrs. Joe Gargery
- Estella
- Miss Havisham
- The women's relationship to Pip
- Mrs. Joe Gargery
- Estella
- Miss Havisham
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of women in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations," focusing on their impact on the protagonist, Pip. It examines how these female characters challenge or conform to Victorian societal expectations.
- The portrayal of women in Victorian society
- The roles of Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, and Miss Havisham in Pip's development
- The subversion of traditional gender roles in the novel
- The impact of female characters on Pip's "great expectations"
- Analysis of female characters as either destructive or protective influences
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of female characters in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." It establishes the novel's context as a Bildungsroman and Gothic novel, highlighting Pip's journey and his interactions with various women. The chapter introduces the three main female characters—Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, and Miss Havisham—whose influence on Pip's life will be the focus of the subsequent analysis. It also briefly touches upon the Victorian societal expectations of women and hints at how the novel's female characters deviate from these ideals.
Characterisation of three main female characters: This chapter provides detailed character analyses of Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, and Miss Havisham. It uses textual evidence from the novel to illustrate their personalities, motivations, and behaviors. Each woman is presented as a complex figure who defies simplistic categorization. The analysis emphasizes their physical descriptions as reflective of their inner selves, showing how Dickens uses imagery to portray their character traits. The chapter lays the foundation for understanding their individual roles in the narrative and their impact on Pip.
The women's relationship to Pip: This chapter explores the complex and multifaceted relationships between Pip and the three main female characters. It delves into the dynamics of their interactions, examining how each woman shapes Pip's experiences, influences his emotional development, and contributes to his overall journey. The chapter analyzes the distinct nature of each relationship, highlighting the various ways in which these women both support and hinder Pip's personal growth.
Keywords
Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, Victorian literature, female characters, gender roles, Bildungsroman, Gothic novel, Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, Miss Havisham, Pip, social class, societal expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Female Characters in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing the portrayal of women in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The paper analyzes the portrayal of women in Victorian society, focusing on the roles of Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, and Miss Havisham in Pip's development. It examines how these characters challenge or conform to societal expectations, their impact on Pip's "great expectations," and whether they act as destructive or protective influences in his life. The subversion of traditional gender roles within the novel is also a key theme.
Which female characters are analyzed in detail?
The paper focuses on three main female characters: Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, and Miss Havisham. Each character's personality, motivations, behaviors, and relationship with Pip are examined in depth.
How does the paper analyze the female characters?
The analysis uses textual evidence from "Great Expectations" to illustrate the characters' complexities. It considers their physical descriptions as reflective of their inner selves and examines the dynamics of their interactions with Pip, highlighting the impact of these relationships on his emotional development and overall journey.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: An introduction setting the context; a chapter dedicated to detailed character analyses of the three main female characters; a chapter exploring the relationships between Pip and the women; and a conclusion (implied).
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Charles Dickens, Great Expectations, Victorian literature, female characters, gender roles, Bildungsroman, Gothic novel, Mrs. Joe Gargery, Estella, Miss Havisham, Pip, social class, and societal expectations.
What type of literary analysis is used?
The analysis uses elements of character analysis, thematic analysis, and possibly feminist literary criticism to explore the roles and impact of the female characters within the context of Victorian society and the Bildungsroman genre.
What is the overall goal of this academic work?
The overarching goal is to provide a nuanced understanding of the female characters in "Great Expectations" and their significance to the novel's narrative and themes, specifically as they relate to Pip's personal growth and the societal expectations of the Victorian era.
- Quote paper
- Katrin Zielina (Author), 2003, Women in Charles Dickens’ "Great Expectations", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/24712
