Great Expectations Rhetorical Analysis
Revised Essay #2 Relationships can be started or ended on account of a first impression, but considering someone's personality isn't always shown through this snapshot judgment, first impressions are often deceiving. Sometimes authors use this powerful idea to develop their characters more thoroughly. In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip is first seen as a conceited and negative character and the Aged is seen as a simply dull one. Through Dickens' use of cheerful diction, Pip and the Aged evolve into more likeable and complex characters. In this passage, Dickens uses mellow diction to portray the easygoing side of Pip's character. Pip, the Aged, Wemmick, and Miss Skiffins eat a home-cooked meal at the Castle. Pip describes how "delightful"
it was to see how "warm and greasy" everyone got. Because Pip is used to the life of high society, he is served everything on a silver platter and is used to being dressed in the most immaculate clothing. Having a home cooked meal, enjoying his company, and appreciating the mess they made reminds the reader that Pip still delights in the simple things in life. It shows a sillier, boy-like Pip that softens the idea that becoming and acting like a gentleman is the only way Pip can enjoy his life. Dickens also uses exuberant diction to portray the Aged's youthful character. The Aged is overjoyed because he gets to read to Pip, Wemmick, and Miss Skiffins after their relaxing dinner. Pip describes him as a "cheerful old man" that is "so busy and so pleased" with himself and his life to the point of being "charming". Through the Aged's enthusiasm to read a newspaper, a new child-like quality appears. This is important because it develops his strange, deaf character into a vibrant old soul in which the reader cannot dislike. Through Dickens' use of lighthearted words, this humorous passage gives the reader a deeper insight to otherwise dull or pessimistic characters. This can be translated into the real world through the idea that sometimes the most intriguing people are the ones we know nothing about. We just need to be patient and take the time to get to know someone in order to appreciate the full potential of their personality.
it was to see how "warm and greasy" everyone got. Because Pip is used to the life of high society, he is served everything on a silver platter and is used to being dressed in the most immaculate clothing. Having a home cooked meal, enjoying his company, and appreciating the mess they made reminds the reader that Pip still delights in the simple things in life. It shows a sillier, boy-like Pip that softens the idea that becoming and acting like a gentleman is the only way Pip can enjoy his life. Dickens also uses exuberant diction to portray the Aged's youthful character. The Aged is overjoyed because he gets to read to Pip, Wemmick, and Miss Skiffins after their relaxing dinner. Pip describes him as a "cheerful old man" that is "so busy and so pleased" with himself and his life to the point of being "charming". Through the Aged's enthusiasm to read a newspaper, a new child-like quality appears. This is important because it develops his strange, deaf character into a vibrant old soul in which the reader cannot dislike. Through Dickens' use of lighthearted words, this humorous passage gives the reader a deeper insight to otherwise dull or pessimistic characters. This can be translated into the real world through the idea that sometimes the most intriguing people are the ones we know nothing about. We just need to be patient and take the time to get to know someone in order to appreciate the full potential of their personality.