《远大前程》读书群记录6

阿俊老师

秦：

The mist in Great Expectations symbolizes something that reveals the truth rather than obscures them. Mist is known for making it very difficult to see and, well for getting things wet; however, through Pip’s expectations the mist exposed Pip to more rather than hide him from the truth.

The Mist In Charles Dickens Great Expectations

In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens uses the mist’s presence or lack thereof, as a tool to foreshadow big events in Pip’s life, and to relay Pip’s emotions or feelings in response to whatever may be happening at the time of the mist’s reference. Dickens can only express so much of Pip’s feelings with his words, so to further allow the audience to connect to Pip and truly understand how he is viewing and/or processing his current situation, Dickens uses the mists. He also uses the mists to foreshadow major events in Pip’s life, so that he can create a sense of suspense that leaves the audience anticipating more. By doing this he can continue to pull the audience into the story and ensure that they continue to read and keep up with the story....

When Pip is confronted with the convict, Abel Magwitch, as a young boy he is told to go home and fetch him a file and some food and bring it to Magwitch. Dickens writes about how Pip snuck the needed supplies for the convict and then ran off into the “misty marshes,” (2.64.2). Then as Pip gets farther out onto the marshes he states that “the mist was heavier,” (3.2.1). The mist is used here to show how Pip is fearful of the uncertainty that goes along with his helping the convict. He is unsure of whether or not the convict will hurt him and he is unsure of whether or not he will be caught helping the convict and therefore get into trouble himself. While Dickens uses Pip’s outright thoughts to express how fearful Pip is, he uses the mists to express his uncertainty on the situation. He clouds the marshes with a mist and makes them thick, so that it is unclear on what exactly you are walking into and where exactly you are going; which better portrays Pip’s feelings more effectively than he could have with words. Later on in the book Dickens again uses the mists to represent Pip’s feelings of uncertainty.

The mist clouding the landscape around Pip's village symbolizes psychological uncertainty. As it obscures the view, it represents a lack of clarity, insight, or knowledge. Pip's four most formative experiences all take place in the mist. Early in the novel, Pip runs terrified through the mist to bring stolen food and a file to the convict. Not only is Pip uncertain and afraid of the convict's threats, he is completely unaware of the immense generosity his actions will inspire in the convict over the next twenty years. Likewise, Pip moves through heavy mist as he first leaves his village for London, not knowing how different his life there will be from the grand, genteel life he has fantasized about. Later, Pip walks through the mist on his way to meet his anonymous informant, who turns out to be Orlick lying in wait to kill him. Finally, Pip passes through mist to visit the razed site of Satis House where he is surprised to find Estella and the promise of a new life.

Mist Symbol Timeline in Great Expectations

The timeline below shows where the symbol Mist appears in Great Expectations. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Book 1, Chapter 3

Pip runs out onto the marshes in the mist of Christmas dawn to meet the convict, terrified that he'll be caught and feeling as...

...convict who swears at Pip and tries to strike him, then stumbles off into the mist. Pip assumes this must be the young man the first convict threatened him with. Pip...

Book 1, Chapter 5

Mr. Wopsle, Joe, and Pip follow the soldiers out into the wet, cold, misty marshes while Pip, confessing to Joe that he hopes the convicts aren't found, wonders anxiously...

Book 1, Chapter 19

...whether to get down and walk back home for one last night, but does not. Mist has risen over the landscape.

Book 3, Chapter 59

...and separated from Drummle, who has since died. Pip walks to the site in the misty dusk and finds only the garden wall still standing. He is stunned to find Estella...

秦：

The Mists on the Marshes The setting almost always symbolizes a theme in Great Expectations and always sets a tone that is perfectly matched to the novel’s dramatic action. The misty marshes near Pip’s childhood home in Kent, one of the most evocative of the book’s settings, are used several times to symbolize danger and uncertainty.

The rising mists in Dickens' Great Expectations offer moments of clarity for Pip. For example, when Pip tells Biddy that one day he will return, she dismisses his words. As Pip walks away from the scene, he says, 'Once more, the mists were rising as I walked away.