The significance of the settings in Charles Dickens's , "Great Expectations"
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Course
English (ENG201)
Institution
University Of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Book
Great Expectations
This essay discusses the significance of the settings in ‘Great Expectations,’ namely the mist over the marshes in Kent, Satis House, and London, referring to the symbolism utilized by Charles Dickens and how the setting enhances the reader’s understanding of significant characters.
Throughout the novel, the fog over the marshes signifies the foreshadowing of dangerous or
unpredictable situations and ambiguity in Pip’s own life as he grows older. In chapter three,
when Pip goes to deliver food to the convict, Magwitch, Pip says, “wet lay clammy, and the
marsh-mist was so thick.” (Dickens, p. 21); this dull weather foretells of his encounter with
the other escaped convict Compeyson later. Pip goes on to say, “it seemed to my oppressed
conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.” (Dickens, p. 21) The mist over the
marshes acts like a ghost-like presence that leads Pip. The atmosphere created in these quotes
shows how the already terrified, young boy is frightened and plagued by his guilt for helping
the convict (Persson, 2011).
In chapter nineteen, on his way to London, after receiving news of his great expectations his
of of becoming a gentleman, Pip encounters the mist, expressing, “the light mists were
solemnly rising as if to show me the world.” (Dickens, p. 225). The mist, in this instance,
indicates that despite this seemingly uplifting improvement in Pip’s life, it may have
disadvantageous outcomes in the future. When Pip returns to his childhood home in chapter
thirty-five to attend his sister’s funeral, he promises Biddy that he would visit more often but
goes on to say, “the mists were rising as I walked away. If they disclosed to me, as I suspect
they did, that I should not come back.” (Dickens, p. 404). This quote shows that Pip is aware
and feels guilty that he has neglected to visit Biddy and Joe, but as the mist rises, his
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