Gothic Horror As A Whole

How is the Gothic depicted in Great Expectations?

As a whole Great expectations doesn't specifically fall under the genre of Gothic, however certain elements documented throughout the book really portray this element of Gothic. For example right at the beginning when Magwitch grabs Pips foot, the idea of a corpse dragging someone into their grave ran through my mind. Other than the obvious ideas of Gothic there was also a link between previous novels. Pip see himself as someone who has turned into a monster - the man who did this was Magwitch - this linked back to a previous novel written by Mary Shelly, the author of Frankenstein. He considered Magwitch to be the creator of this monstrous human that Pip had turned into. This idea of the Gothic being quite prominent throughout the book was most probably due to the eeriness and uncanniness that was every so slightly portrayed. Mainly when I watched the films/Tv series I found many of the characters metaphorically dead, Miss Havisham for example, no contact with the outside world and constantly stuck in this time zone of when her husband left her.

How is the grotesque depicted in Great Expectations?

If we are look at the side of grotesque that would be considered ugly and repulsive, we would concentrate on the first few chapters. Again, mainly when Magwitch summoned Pip to get him a file, the threats he gave were an element of the grotesque; he would eat the boys cheek. Where it was set was also particularly repulsive. However if we are talking about the word 'distorted' which also a correct representation of the grotesque we would study the book as a whole. Its very obvious to the reader that this whole story line is distorted, right from the start to the end. Miss Havishams position for example - mourning taken to a whole new level, Magwitch's need to help Pip out for the rest of his life just from giving him a slice of pie. Its unrealistic, its a novel, its distorted.

What are specific elements of the uncanny?

The uncanny means something that is peculiar, something that you may have experienced before but also a mystery. For example clashing for time periods.

How does Dickens give the uncanny a unique twist within the novel in terms of characterization?

As previously mentioned, the uncanny is a sense of mystery, a sense of familiarity. The idea of the uncanny is possibly portrayed through the fact Miss Havisham is stuck in a time zone, a time where she was most comfortable but for everyone else this aspect can make them feel uneasy. Relating back to this idea of the main reason Pip became a gentleman was from someone who he wanted to get far away from. He was ashamed of his past and the past was what had helped him get where he was to that day.