Compare/Contrast Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, George Eliot - Essay Example

Their family, friends, environment, etc all play major roles in the development of their lives; however, it is the individual that eventually had to take initiative upon themselves to, finally, make a difference. Further, the narration and how the authors used it to relate to each story, the maturation of the main characters and, sometimes, their lost of innocence, classism and whether it affected and motivated the characters, and the interactions and influences of the characters' families are discussed in detail within the following pages.

Also, the unrealistic endings and unbelievable coincidences, and the differences in each author's writing style will be analyzed as well. First, as we examine "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, we discover that Phillip Pirrip, better known as "Pip" serves as the narrator and main character of the novel. He is a young man who is struggling to survive in a world full of blundering chaos, wild predicaments, and, last, but not least, proper society. More often than not, Pip finds that attempting to survive in his society is not easy; however, it is possible to endure.

There are characters within the novel that help him with his perseverance and endurance of his story such as his brother-in-law, Joe Gargery, and his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery. Pip's narration encourages the reader to capture the story from his point of view. It engages them to investigate further into the plight of his dilemma. Pip, better than any other, is better able to illustrate to the reader the full extent of his situation. As a result, the novel reaps the benefits by having a realistic and youthful slant to its point of view.

As the novel begins, Pip is living and being raised by his brother-in-law, the blacksmith, Mr. Joe Gargery, and his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery. His brother-in-law could be described as a gentle, meek, docile man who hardly speaks unless spoken to. He hardly seems to mind the antics of Pip; he simply minds his own business and creates his own peace. Unlike his brother-in-law, his sister would be described as the opposite of gentle and meek. She does not even display the characteristic of being nice.

However, she could be described as cruel, harsh, and heavy on the punishment, especially when the situations involve Pip. She even, mentally and, at times, physically punishes her own husband. Further, Pip's dilemma is mostly caused and exploited by his sister. The reader quickly realizes that she does not allow him to mature and flourish as a growing young man. Instead, she always attempts to keep him underfoot and tamed, like he were her own little pet. It seems as if his sister always keeps him under constant surveillance, under her demeaning words, and under her iron hand.

Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, who should adorn him with love and affection, instead pounces him with meanness and cruelty. More often than not, it is the immediate family, or, at least, the extended family, that shows an individual their adoration. However, it is his brother-in-law, Joe Gargery, who marries into the family, that is the person who helps Pip understand respect and kindness: "I loved Joe - perhaps for no better reason in those early days than