1

English 9 AA
Great Expectations Essay (Revised)
March 2014
Social Realism through Gothic Conventions and Imagery in Great Expectations (Revised)
Have you ever considered just how important social realist literature is to our society? For
centuries, social realist works have aided people in understanding the reality of their circum-
stances and the true situations of those around them. A prime example of this is the classic
British novel Great Expectations. Charles Dickenss Great Expectations does a pristine job of
depicting social realism by implementing 18th century gothic novel conventions through the use
of vivid imagery. At the same time, this social realism through gothic conventions and imagery
also creates the meaning of the story, which is the insignificance of societal standing in light of
true character and integrity.
One important example of Gothic conventions depicting social realism through imagery is the
reoccurrence of an eerie and dark setting, which is commonly used in 18th century gothic litera-
ture. In Great Expectations, Dickens adds detailed imagery to implement the gothic convention
of an eerie setting. For example, throughout the story, Pip describes the marshes where he
lives as being dark, having a red scorched sky, being desolate and lonely, and being a hori-
zontal black line. Another instance of imagery is Pips interpretation of Mrs. Havishams house.
Pip notes that the house has a heavy darkness and is very spooky. An additional example of
portraying an eerie setting through imagery is Dickenss portrayal of London. Dickens makes
London out to be a dark and corrupt place, and even goes so far as to describe how the con-
stant raining in the city covers Pips home in black, wet soot from his chimney. Through subtext,
all of these examples of depicting an eerie setting through imagery show social realism. The
depiction of the marshes shows such realism by providing a glimpse of what life is like for coun-
try-side commoners. Mrs. Havishams scary home depicts realism by showing the reader how
reclusive people might become if they are wealthy and bitter. Dickenss portrayal of London
shows realism by giving off the idea that large cities are very gloomy, dirty, and generally un-
2
pleasant, which is another gothic convention (cities being gloomy). Therefore, the gothic con-
ventions of an eerie setting and cities being gloomy portray social realism through vivid imagery.
This social realism through gothic conventions and imagery also affects and creates the
meaning of Charles Dickenss Great Expectations, which is the insignificance of social class in
lieu of a persons integrity. After implementing social realism such as the poverty of commoners
in the country-side and the glumness of London, Dickens depicts how happy Pip is after he los-
es his money becomes poor again, and how bitter and angry Mrs. Havisham is while extremely
wealthy. This affects the meaning because by implementing the social realism of poor people
having meager lives and rich people having opulent ones, Dickens can actually create the
meaning of integrity being more important than social level by showing how happy and full of
integrity commoners are, and how bitter and malicious rich people are. Therefore, this social
realism through gothic clichs and imagery affects and even creates Charles Dickenss meaning
of Great Expectations, which is the far higher importance of integrity over wealth and social
standing.
To summarize, Charles Dickenss Great Expectations affectively depicts social realism such
as poverty through the gothic conventions of an eerie setting and a gloomy city. He does this by
implementing vivid imagery, including descriptions of Mrs. Havishams home, the marshes, and
London. In addition, the social realism he implements affects and ultimately fabricates the sto-
rys meaning, which is the importance of integrity over wealth.