Thesis statement: In Great Expectation, Dickens applies negative images to severely attack the evil and greed of bourgeoisie and the inhuman social system in Victorian Age. However, he chose positive things to embody kindness, integrity of populace. A set of inconsistent images composed a contrast to emphasize the valuable quality of ordinary people.
I. Introduction
Ⅱ.The description and emblem of gloomy images
1. Four scenes of fog-
A. The first scene of fog---a footstone to the whole novel
B. The second scene of fog---embody strongly gruesome atmosphere
C. The third scene of fog---preparation for the Great Expectation
D. The fourth scene of fog---the token of happiness
2. The image of prison— Satis House
3. The image of grave yard and marsh—hotbed of evil.
III. The depiction and representation of positive images
1. Joe’s blacksmith---a mental asylum
2. Beacon---symbol of road sign
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Ⅳ. The contrast of gloom images and active images reveal the darkness of society and the valuable quality of common people.
V. Conclusion
Image and symbolism in Great Expectation
Abstract
Charles Dickens is one of the most outstanding critical realistic novelists of the 19th century, who is also considered as the most distinguished critical realism writer in Victorian Age. His works vividly describe the mind state of bourgeoisie in British and the gradually deteriorated social atmosphere etc. Great Expectation is one of the most prominent works in the late phase of Dickens’ creation, which spicily reveals the dark side of the capitalistic society and highly prizes the merits which lower-class people widely possess. In this novel, Dickens uses a sea of images to reveal the social reality. He makes a contrast through choosing some images such as prison, grave yard and marsh etc to symbolize the gloomy side of society while selecting Joe’s blacksmith to represent the bright side of society. The novel stresses valuable merits of common people through analyzing the images of “darkness” and “brightness”.
【Key words】 Dickens Great Expectation Images Symbolism