Question
What is the importance of fairytale mode in Great Expectations?
Answer
In “Great Expectations,” the fairytale mode plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and themes. Dickens uses this mode to critique and contrast the unrealistic elements found in other contemporary novels, which he viewed as overly reliant on fairytale motifs like Cinderella.
Importance of Fairytale Mode
Critique of Unrealism: Dickens employs the fairytale mode to parody and critique the unrealistic elements in the works of his contemporaries. By incorporating and then subverting fairytale motifs, he highlights the implausibility of such narratives and emphasizes a more grounded, realistic approach (Meckier, 2002).
Darkening the Fairytale: Instead of following the traditional Cinderella story, Dickens introduces elements from “Misnar’s Pavilion” from “The Tales of the Genii.” This shift serves as a corrective to the Cinderella complex prevalent in the era, offering a more tragicomic and realistic view of the world. It warns both the privileged and the underprivileged about the dangers of relying on fairytale-like expectations (Meckier, 2002).
Thematic Depth: By integrating and then altering fairytale elements, Dickens adds depth to the themes of “Great Expectations.” The fairytale mode is used to explore themes of social mobility, expectations, and the harsh realities of life, contrasting the idealized outcomes often found in fairytales with the more complex and often disappointing realities faced by the characters (Meckier, 2002).
Conclusion
The fairytale mode in “Great Expectations” is crucial for Dickens’s critique of unrealistic narratives and his exploration of social themes. By subverting traditional fairytale motifs, Dickens provides a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the characters’ journeys, emphasizing the complexities of social mobility and personal growth.
References
Meckier, J., 2002. Dickens’s Great Expectations: Misnar’s Pavilion versus Cinderella. **. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.40-2033
Dickens, C., (2007). Great Expectations. London: Longman.
Moretti, F. & Sbragia, A., (2000). The Way of the World: The Bildungsroman in European Culture. London: Verso.
Ostry, E., (2013). Social Dreaming: Dickens and the Fairy Tale. Abingdon: Routledge.
Sen, S., (2007). Introduction. In C. Dickens. Great Expectations. London: Longman.
