Great Expectations

Firstly sorry if there are any spelling mistakes in wiring this on my iPod as my lap top is not working. Pathetic fallacy is clear from the beginning of this scene especially had pip is on his way to a graveyard. Weather and setting are important in this scene as it is the introduction to the whole novel. The setting at the behind had to attract a reader so that they carry in reading. Dickens uses a lot of description in his writing and in this clip you understand all the imagery especially visual and auditory. These devices make an atmosphere come alive. In this scene the atmosphere is spooky and is full of emotional terror. As this scene is set in a grave yard all the connotations are visible for example creaky trees which add to the trembling silence. The relationship between pip and the convict is unusual. Pip is terrified of a strange and disgusting man which is not surprising as I think any little person would be. I feel sorry for pip as by what we already know he has not had an easy life , this convict just adds to to complications of his life. Pip is only a little a boy and the convict intimidates him , pip feels like he has no other choice than to do what he us told. Christie | 22 June 2011, 3:25 PM

The relationship between the convict and Pip is a complicated one for the first chapter. The convict could quite easily be compassionate but he uses fear to get Pip to bring him wittles and a file. The way Dickens' novel is portrayed in this adaptation allows me to feel more sympathy for the convict compared to the novel itself - where I felt more sympathy for Pip and him being shaken upside down. I think that the convict however does show signs of affection towards Pip when he warns Pip of the other convict lurking in the shadows of the marsh. The atmosphere portrayed in this adaption is a very sinister one, and really emphasises Dickens' use of pathetic fallacy within Great Expectations. The atmosphere also creates a sense of foreboding, an example of this being when the Gallows are shown within the first minute of the clip - perhaps warning the audience that Pip is to meet somebody in the upcoming moments? The atmosphere is very bleak and almost spooky, and makes effective use of visual and auditory imagery - for example, the creeking tree and the dark sky. Weather is very important within the opening chapter, as it sets the scene and forewarns about later events within Great Expectations :)

Christie, I think your comments are really interesting.  You're already making use of terminology to explore your ideas, and I'm looking forward to hearing your interpretations of the rest of the novel!

The relationship between Pip and the Convict may have been used by Dickens' as a form of characterisation, as it introduces us to both characters and gives us a slight insight into their current situation and background. Their relationship is dysfunctional and complicated, yet even in the opening encounter we can see that both characters show vulnerability, therefore at this moment in time I can sympathise with both Pip and the Convict. With Pip, he is a young boy who is at the graveside of his family, which is a setting that can make any person feel quite vulnerable and emotional. The convict has obviously seen Pip and decides to frighten him by grabbing him and shaking him upside down. I believe that the convict sees Pip and an easy target, as he could think that Pip would see him as a threat. He uses this to his advantage and takes advantage of Pip by forcing him to get him to get the items he requires, a file and some food. This shows the Convict's vulnerability because he is obviously in such a bad position that he is asking the help of a young defenceless boy - not necessarily directly, more indirectly through the use of a combination of threatening behaviour and intimidation. Towards the end of the clip, with the mentioning of the second Convict, I can't decide whether this is the Convict being genuinely considerate towards Pip, or whether he is being cunning and just trying to scare him further so that Pip is more likely to obey his commands. The atmosphere in the clip is spooky and quite dark - not to mention very stereotypical of what is expected of the atmosphere in a graveyard. There is about a minute or so of a lack dialogue, with just the howling of the wind and the rustle of the trees to be heard. This reflects the auditory imagery which Dickens' incorporated in the novel of which assists us as readers to create a clear picture in our minds of the scene right from the first page of the book. Along with the atmosphere being created by the setting, the weather plays an important part in creating atmosphere and introducing us to what we could expect as the plot develops in Great Expectations. Pathetic Fallacy has been used to a great effect, with the gloomy skies and harsh winds indicating that there could be a storm to come - both metaphorically later on in the plot and also as a change of weather in the current scene.

Pathetic fallacy has been created in this scene through auditory imagery with the wind and the creaking of the trees. The atmosphere appears quite bleak and menacing which builds the audience up to the criminal's appearance. I feel more sympathy for Pip because of the way his character is so scared and speaks with what appears like sorrow in his voice when he points to where his parents are buried. I believe that after the criminal has learnt this information he seems to become nicer to Pip, however he later regains his dark persona by turning Pip upside down. He does this because he wishes to scare Pip to make him do his will.

Just to add to my comment because it looks too small :). I think the fact that the criminal wishes to scare Pip into obeying him could characterise him as manipulative. Through this the reader/ audience may make assumptions about this character's crime. I think that Dickens has made the reader distrust the criminal as we see him through the eyes of Pip who he is trying to intimidate. However novels usually contain twists so through plot development the reader may change their opinion of the criminal, as he may turn out to be a "good guy".

The atmosphere is tense and is created from the use of the introduction as it forces the viewer/reader to enquire after the character and his past. It sets the tone of the scene and allows the audience to want to know more.

The atmosphere is very negative right from the beginning, the use of the wind is metaphorical for the confusion, trouble and even destruction that may lie ahead. The use of the entwinded, creeking trees also helps to create and build the tension of the scene. A main point that has already been said but is significant and very evident throughout this scene is that of pathetic fallacy. The stormy, uncontrollable and sharp weather immitates and reflects the situation that Pip is about to be placed in. 

The characterisation of Pip allows me to feel sympathy for him, he shows great vunerability and innocence. The purity that he emmulates, being a child, makes it easy for me to feel sympathy for him and the fact he is visiting his parents graveside makes evokes great sadness in me for the character. I feel a slight essence of sympathy for the convict when he appears to feel threatened by the presence of Pips mother as this also shows a vulnerable side to him as a character, also. 

Well Literature ladies, I'm very impressed!  Some very interesting comments, I see you all like a bit of pathetic fallacy!  Good use of terminology from everyone too - you haven't forgotten it in the last two weeks which is good to know!  Any comments on the quality of the film clip - does it match your vision/interpretation of the opening chapter?  If you were directing, would you make any major changes?  Let me know your thoughts!

I personally think this clip doesn't convey all of the imagery and exclamatory that the novel does, but that said, Dicken's uses those to play with our own imagination! The pathetic fallacy of the wind gave it a negative feel, which helped set the scene. By doing so, especially with the auditory imagery of the creaking trees, it creates a tense atmosphere, which causes the viewer of this clip to question the convicts motives towards Pip. By showing the convicts chains, the view can also question why the convict is in the graveyard. The typical blonde hair, slightly chubby young boy who plays Pip, allows the viewer to feel sympathy towards him, especially with the look of vulnerability around him, when he is placing the flowers on his parents grave. By the convict looking frightened at the thought of another adult around, when he asks Pip of the where about of his mother, allows a certain amount of sympathy to be shown for him. Personally, the film clip doesn't quite match my interpretation of the opening chapter, but i imagined an older, long haired, greying appearance for a convict. I also imagined Pip as a very skinny looking character, who was in need of some care. If I was directing, i would have asked my authors, especially the convict to portray more emotion, especially on the exclamatory, which i imagined Dicken's to have written to emphasise the convicts impatience. - woo! :)

I'm pleased that you prefer the novel Amy!  Your comments really show your awareness of the literary techniques Dickens has used for specific effects on the reader.   It's always interesting to know how film versions match up to the characters you have created in your minds as you are reading. 

What do you think about Amy's suggestions for the presentation of Pip and the convict, literature ladies?  Do you think the film version would have been significantly more or less effective if it had been in colour?   Think about the imagery Dickens has used in the opening chapter - do you imagine the characters and setting in colour when you are reading, or is your view grey, bleak and lacking in colour?  Think about the BBC version that you have seen which is in colour.  Does the use of colour add or take away from the dramatic appeal of the story?

(Better late that never!)

Firstly, I think that the relationship between Pip and the convict is very important. They are both vulnerable and lonely characters at this point in the novel, and we know little about them. The characterisation of each of them implies they are lonely and allows you as a reader to develop your own ideas on them. Personally, I feel this was done better in the novel and that this clip isn't very successful in developing and showing their relationship. I feel sorrow for both the convict and Pip as they have nobody to help them out.

The atmosphere in the clip is very tense, however I feel that the BBC adaptation made this much more realistic. When the convict shakes Pip upside down and also when he captures him, Pip seems to show little fear - surely if you had been captured by a stranger and were scared, you would show it a bit more?! However, you could say he was too scared to shout out? The atmosphere also fits in with the weather - linking the idea of pathetic fallacy. Pathetic Fallacy is incredibly important in this clip as the unpredicatable weather sets up the idea that something is going to go wrong, to the audience this is demonstrated through the stormy wind which leaves you on edge until Pip meets the convict.

Finally, weather is important in the opening scene as it foreshadows what sort of genre conventions and mood you can expect throughout the film/play. I think that Dicken's novel of Great Expectations is far more and if I were directing this I would try and include much more of his original interpretations of this.