Dickens Use Of Rhetorical Devices In Act 1

1824 Words4 Pages

Beginning with Great expectations, in chapter one Dickens introduces us to ‘Pip’ by using repetition, imagery and symbolism. On the surface, the audience may notice repetition of Pip’s name which communicates his character to the audience in the quote “So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip”. This creates a playful, child-like tone as it emphasises a simple style of speaking which is normally reserved for children or less developed speakers. Also, the imagery of a Pip, or seed, is implanted into the readers minds as they first meet this character which may cause the reader to associate Pip with being timid, or other connotations of the word ‘small’ (as a pip). However, a pip may also represent other parts to Pip’s personality as …show more content…

Thus, Russel is using a rhetorical question to demonstrate the character’s personalities. Not only this, but by placing two character defining statements/questions so closely together the relationship and connection between Frank and Rita is able to be communicated to the audience. For such a short section of Act one scene one, Russel has arguably summed up the characters before their development – Frank’s sarcastic and melancholy personality and Rita’s naivety and …show more content…

The dress he gives Rita is a symbol of accepting Rita’s journey – even if Frank doesn’t agree with it which can be assumed by his lack of enthusiasm. In a previous scene Rita describes buying a dress as a form of distraction of her desire to step outside social norms “I'd just play another record or buy another dress an' stop worryin”. From this, Russel may be showing that Frank is trying to send a message to Rita – he may be trying to tell Rita that she is still the same at heart despite being more educated. At first glance this may come across as a bad intention as it implies Frank isn’t acknowledging her growth, however Frank may be saying that Rita has always had the tools necessary to grow and that being educated is an illusion to prevent her from doing

Open Document