The novel Great Expectations was written during the Victorian era, by Charles Dickens. Dickens develops dynamic resemblances and contrasts between his characters, Miss Havisham and Joe Gargery. Joe is a blacksmith, who lives a simple and comfortable life, while Miss Havisham is wealthy, but lives a dark and desolate life. Despite their contradicting lives, they share similar characteristics. The similarities and differences between Miss Havisham and Joe are pronounced in Great Expectations and offer a glimpse of their character, ultimately revealing their perception on life.
To begin, events in Miss Havisham's and Joe Gargery's life parallel each other's. For instance, Joe was adamant about adopting Pip "bring the poor little child [...] there's room for him at the forge!" (Dickens 38). Miss Havisham explains, "I adopted [Estella] to be loved" (Dickens 196). Both Miss Havisham and Joe have experienced unsuccessful relationships. Joe has dealt with an abusive wife, who uses frequently uses "Tickler" to vent her anger (Dickens 5). …show more content…
To illustrate, Miss Havisham is a peculiar and affluent woman, who chooses to stay inside her dark and dismal mansion (Dickens 45). She is coping with her previous relationship, and is reluctant to let go of the past "she laid the whole place to waste [...] has never since looked upon the light of day" (Dickens 148). As a result of Miss Havisham's own broken heart, she instructs Estella to seek vengeance on men "break their hearts my pride and hope, break their hearts and have no mercy!" (Dickens 77). In contrast, Joe is "a mere blacksmith: [Pip recalls] how thick his boots, and how coarse his hands" (Dickens 58). Joe is a genuine and amiable man who is always interested in the best for Pip (Dickens 5). These contrasting examples between Miss Havisham and Joe demonstrate how different they are, and how they view their
To begin, events in Miss Havisham's and Joe Gargery's life parallel each other's. For instance, Joe was adamant about adopting Pip "bring the poor little child [...] there's room for him at the forge!" (Dickens 38). Miss Havisham explains, "I adopted [Estella] to be loved" (Dickens 196). Both Miss Havisham and Joe have experienced unsuccessful relationships. Joe has dealt with an abusive wife, who uses frequently uses "Tickler" to vent her anger (Dickens 5). …show more content…
To illustrate, Miss Havisham is a peculiar and affluent woman, who chooses to stay inside her dark and dismal mansion (Dickens 45). She is coping with her previous relationship, and is reluctant to let go of the past "she laid the whole place to waste [...] has never since looked upon the light of day" (Dickens 148). As a result of Miss Havisham's own broken heart, she instructs Estella to seek vengeance on men "break their hearts my pride and hope, break their hearts and have no mercy!" (Dickens 77). In contrast, Joe is "a mere blacksmith: [Pip recalls] how thick his boots, and how coarse his hands" (Dickens 58). Joe is a genuine and amiable man who is always interested in the best for Pip (Dickens 5). These contrasting examples between Miss Havisham and Joe demonstrate how different they are, and how they view their