In the 1861 novel Great Expectations, Charles Dickens tells the story of a poor English boy named Pip who faces a series of complicated situations and characters on his journey to becoming a Gentleman. Dickens's writing style, while indicative of the historical period, is notable for its use of dramatic symmetry. Dickens constantly draws parallels between characters and major events throughout the book to heighten their importance. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Most parallels, particularly between characters, are developed throughout the entire novel. For example, when Pip is young his attention is fixed on Estella. As he grows up, he recognizes that the intensity of his love may not be a good thing, going so far as to say: "I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against every discouragement that could be ." Later in the book, Pip is a grown man and has decided to marry Biddy, proposing to her in a letter which ends with "...if you can tell me that you will cross the world with me, you will surely make it a better world for me". ” Pip's deepest desire is to be with Estella, but as an adult he understands that it is in everyone's best interest for him to marry Biddy (at least until he finds out that she and Joe are going to get married). how Pip's perspective has changed over time. Two convicts disturbing Pip's life offer another example of dramatic symmetry. Magwitch starts Pip's journey. Subsequently, Compeyson's appearance leads to Magwitch's death and Pip is forced to decide what to do with his life. Both men force Pip to follow a specific path. Pip and Estella unwittingly imitate the relationship between Miss Havisham, a gaunt, disabled woman, and Compeyson, the convict who left her at the altar. Pip can see that Miss Havisham has influenced Estella "...to bring about Miss Havisham's vengeance on men..." so that Miss Havisham can feel better after her brutal rejection. Meanwhile, Pip is also carrying on Magwitch's misplaced ideology. Magwitch is proud of the "gentleman what have I done!" and fascinated by the idea of ​​Pip's transformation. It is clear, however, that Magwitch is disconnected from reality when he makes comments such as, "I came to the 'fur' of the old country to see my gentleman spend his money like a gentleman." Neither Pip nor Estella really want to live their lives. guardians, but have little choice in the matter. Dickens draws another parallel between Pip and Magwitch (Pip's secret benefactor) when Pip decides to become a secret benefactor of his friend Herbert Pip describes everything he does to keep his identity secret: "...secret articles were signed of which Herbert was subject to, and I paid [Wemmick] half of my five hundred pounds in advance..." It is this secrecy that gives Herbert the confidence to realize his dreams of pursuing a partnership and ultimately becoming a man of success. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Dickens' use of dramatic symmetry makes the characters, events, and circumstances more touching. As events are mirrored in the novel, the reader is able to see history repeating itself and understand the importance of recognizing and breaking that cycle..