Ilie Andreea

Anul II, seria 2 ,grupa 7

Fairy-Tale Patterns in Charless Dickens Great Expectations

This essay proposes the discussion of Fairy-Tale Patterns in Great Expectations written
by Charles Dickens. In order to demonstrate the existence of such folkloric elements the
definition, meaning, role and interpretation of fairy- tale in general, but also in the text
mentioned before will be also dealt with within this lines. However, even though these patterns
can be identified, this essay will argue whether it is a fairy-tale or a reversed one.

In Cuddons Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory he defines the
fairy-tale as being part of the folklore and as: is part the oral tradition (q.v.)In its written form
the fairy tale tends to be a narrative in prose about the fortunes and misfortunes of a hero or
heroine who, having experienced various adventures of a more or less supernatural kind, lives
happily ever after. Magic, charms, disguise and spells are some of the major ingredients of such
stories, which are often subtle in their interpretation of human nature and psychology.

Starting from this definition, Great Expectations already seems to differentiate from
this traditional genre. However there still are elements that coincide. Both deal with conflict or
contrasts such as: good and evil, rich versus poor, innocence versus wisdom. Moreover the one
dimensional characters, the use of repetition, the evil women, the idea of an evil stepmother and
a nice father, the presence of the so called Fairy God Mother and also the strange apparition
like image that Pip encounters twice, which he describes as: a figure hanging there by the neck,
are all elements that imply a fairy-tale pattern.

While there are some characters that can be defined as totally good, respectively totally
bad, there are also complex and round characters. Firstly, Orlick and Compeyson are depicted as
total evil. The first one because he is the attacker of both Pips sister and later on Pip himself.
Compeyson is also a deceptive, cruel and materialistic person. These qualities are reflected when
she tricks Miss Havisham in order to possess her money and also when he uses, and tries to kill
Magwitch: He had no more heart than an iron file, he was cold as death and he had the head of
the devil. They never show remorse or any kind of positive feelings, therefore they can be

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 Ilie Andreea
Anul II, seria 2 ,grupa 7
C+S Alina Bottez

compared to the evil characters from fairy-tales. In total opposition with these two, Joe is built as
a character, similar to the ones in fairy-tale, that represents goodness because of his kindness,
wisdom, empathy and unconditional love for those around him. On the other hand, Miss
Havisham and Pip as well are characters that are not so well labeled. They both make mistakes
and treat others badly, but they also have good intentions and true love for Estella, in the case of
the old woman, and for Joe as much as Biddy, in the case of Pip.

The repetition is also important in fairy-tales and in Dickenss text as well. Such
examples are the May I? phrase used in Pumblechooks dialogue when he finds out that Pip
has become rich and his whole attitude is changed, suddenly possessing and infinite respect for
the child. Another example is the apparition that Pip sees twice in order to underline the fact that
Pip has returned to his former self, the one from his childhood.

The third important element would be the evil women, who sometimes take the image of
the cruel stepmother, in opposition to the good father. The most important evil women from
Great expectations would be Mrs. Joe and Miss Havisham. The first one is Pips stepmother
and, just like any fairy-tale, treats him badly and punishes Pip for being an orphan and wants
respect from him because she brought him by hand. Mrs. Pocket is also an example of the evil
woman who neglects her role as a parent and wrongs her children, just as her husband embodies
the perfect spouse and careful father. Miss Havisham is too depicted as a negative character. She
resembles a witch that planes the destruction and tragic separation of Pips and Estellas lives.
Just like in the fairy-tales, where the antihero hides his true nature and intentions, Miss
Havisham leads Pip into believe she is his benefactor, while her true plan was to revenge through
the two youngsters what happened to her.

In opposition with this character, Magwitch, who is at first a convict, a criminal, becomes
a good person who repays Pip for his kindness more than necessary. He is associated with the
Fairy God Mother from the fairy-tales. At first, he sustains his life as a gentleman and as an
erudite and, at the end; he helps him bring back his youthful feeling of love and friendship.

Lydia Katherine Christoph notes that Dickens uses these folkloric devices in the
construction of his characters in order to stress and exaggerate Pips difficulties (The harsh

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 Ilie Andreea
Anul II, seria 2 ,grupa 7
C+S Alina Bottez

injustices of the abusive society that comprises Pips world) (Lydia Katherine Christoph, 24).
She also argues that Great Expectations is not a fairy-tale because: the protagonist is not a
hero, he loses almost everything, the treasure vanishes, the princess turns out to be the
daughter of a convict, the fairy godmother is actually a witch, and a well-bred gentleman is
found to be the blackest scoundrel( Lydia Katherine Christoph, 22). However, she recognizes
some folkloric patterns in the way Dickens creates his characters: Pip, the apparently typical
poor, abused orphan hero so popular in fairy tales, meets fairy tale characters such as the
beautiful but distant princess Estella; Miss Havisham the decaying jilted bride; Joe, the strong
and kindly blacksmith; Herbert, the kind and true prince; Compeyson the desperate criminal,
and Orlick, the villainous and slouching devil (Lydia Katherine Christoph, 24). And also Pips
story, however, contains fairy tale characters like the good convict who gives away a fortune
but dies in prison, and the evil society lady who ends penitent but in a flaming inferno(Lydia
Katherine Christoph, 24).

Moreover, she introduces the idea of the reverse fairy tale when she notes: His identity
changes from that of the metaphysically lost orphan boy into that of the wealthy, powerful
gentleman with the right education, clothing, servants, and club membership. Great Expectations
turns out to be an inverted fairy tale, however, because Pips gilded life comes to a shattering
halt.(Lydia Katherine Christoph, 24).

In conclusion, in Great Expectations fairy tale elements do exist (the one dimensional
characters, the use of repetition, the evil women, the idea of an evil stepmother and a nice father,
the presence of the Fairy God Mother and also the strange apparition Pip encounters twice),
but they dont reflect that Great Expectations is indeed part of such a genre, but that is an
inverted fairy tale.

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 Ilie Andreea
Anul II, seria 2 ,grupa 7
C+S Alina Bottez

Bibliography

Christoph Lydia Katherine, Disenchantment: The Formation, Distortion, and

Website

Fairy tale conventions and Great Expectations, CollegeTermPapers.com, Web.

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 Ilie Andreea
Anul II, seria 2 ,grupa 7
C+S Alina Bottez