Wednesday 21 December 2022

Comment on Dickens's Use of Humour in “Great Expectations”.

Although Dickens is not a comic novelist, he is very apt in using humour. His novel Great Expectations is full of many humorous scenes. Dickens produces humour by describing some amusing scenes or characters which provoke laughter. Dickens's use of humour lightens the readers' mind of the dark side of the novel, making it more appealing to them.

Use of Humour in “Great Expectations”:

Dickens's art of characterisation is the source of much of his humour. He put his characters into some incidents, which provoke laughter. For instance, at the dinner party Joe secretly passes gravy to Pip's plate. While this scene is very amusing, it also expresses Joe's innocent love for Pip. In contrast to Joe, all other characters at the party repeatedly rebuke Pip. Again, the incident in which Pumblechook drinks the tar-water which Pip put in place of Brandy is very comic. It is also significant that Dickens makes Pumblechook, who is a hypocrite, drink the tar-water.

Often Dickens describes the physical features of a character in such a grotesque way that it provokes laughter. Thus Mr. Wopsle is a man who has "united to a Roman nose and a large shining bald forehead". In the same way, Mr. Jaggers is a burly man and Wemmick has a post-office-like mouth. Dickens particularly distorts the appearance of two of his women characters. Miss Havisham has an unsavoury appearance. Mrs. Joe has an offensive appearance and behaviour, which provides much of the humour. In portraying the physical feature of his characters, Dickens is like Geofrey Chuacer who, in his Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, distorts the physical feature of a character to produce humour.

Dickens takes delight in presenting comic set-piece scenes. Thus, the behaviour, mannerisms and speech of Joe Gargery is treated with humour. Joe's manner of telling his past and his faulty words and grammar are humorous. Dickens is careful to portray Joe as a good- natured man with a true Christian spirit. This is why, he employs pure humour which provokes sympathy for Joe. The mannerism of Jaggers also produces humour. His awe-inspiring personality, his use of handkerchief and his washing hand with scented soap are amusing. Again, Dickens shows that behind Jaggers's grave personality, lies a soft heart.

Dickens shows his skill in producing humour even when he describes a serious scene. Joe's behaviour in Pip's room in London is humorous but at the same time it is full of pathos. Dickens thus presents a contrast between true manner and the artificial behaviour. Dickens often presents a situation sweepingly. For instance, Wemmick's habit of putting his arm around Miss Skiffin, the way he marries her and his dual personality are very amusing.

Thus Dickens shows extraordinary skills in his use of humour. He can make his readers laugh at a character or a scene. His humour is often pure comic but often it mingles with satire. His originality in presenting humour is interesting.

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