The Great Expectations By Charles Dickens - 3420 Words

Archetypes can be found in every piece of literature, even if they are hidden within the writing. For example, even though religion may not be a primary aspect in a piece of literature, the complex idea of angels and demons can still be apparent. In the novel Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, the several diverse characters represent the idea of angels and demons. The novel revolves around the life of a young, common boy named Pip who receives a sudden fortune from an unknown benefactor and is expected to learn the ways of being a gentleman after moving to London. When he falls in love with a heartless woman, his need to woo her clouds his judgment regarding what is important in his life, and the importance of wealth and social class†¦show more content†¦Because of their angelic qualities, Joe Gargery, Biddy, Herbert, and Magwitch are portrayed as angels, Mrs. Joe, Estella, and Mrs. Havisham are portrayed as the demons. Although the novel is centered on Pip’s life, the moral attributes are centered on Joe Gargery. Joe, who is Pip’s brother-in-law, has a naturally humane and obedient personality who understands right from wrong. He lives a rough life constantly receiving verbal, and occasionally physical, abuse from his wife, Mrs. Joe Gargery. Pips describes him as â€Å"a fair man, with curls of flaxen hair on each side of his smooth face, and with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites. He was a mild, good-natured, sweet-tempered, easy-going, foolish, dear fellow,—a sort of Hercules in strength, and also in weakness† (6). In the Victorian era, the qualities associated with being a gentleman were different than they are now. â€Å"Gentlemen† back then were known for having wealth, good hygiene, and appropriate manners. But even though the â€Å"gentlemen† described in the novel have those qualities , they appear to be terrible people, being rude and conceited. Although Joe was raised as a blacksmith, receives just enough money to support the people he lives with, and cannot read or speak properly, he is a hard-working, loyal, and honest man who cares for the people he loves. He