7.3 Character development and symbolism in Dickensian fiction

Charles Dickens mastered character development in Victorian novels. He created unforgettable personalities, from flat to round characters, using archetypes and moral transformations. His characters often underwent significant changes, driving plots forward and captivating readers.

Dickens also excelled at symbolism, using settings and motifs to reflect emotions and societal issues. His naming conventions added depth to characters, while allegorical figures embodied abstract ideas. These techniques enriched his storytelling and social commentary.

Character Types and Development

Flat and Round Characters

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• Flat characters lack complexity and remain unchanged throughout the story (Mrs. Micawber in David Copperfield)
• Round characters are multidimensional, evolving personalities that undergo significant changes (Pip in Great Expectations)
  • Often have internal conflicts and experience personal growth
  • Their actions and decisions drive the plot forward

Character Archetypes and Recurring Types

• Dickens employs character archetypes, such as the innocent child (Oliver Twist) or the eccentric benefactor (Mr. Brownlow in Oliver Twist)
• Recurring character types appear across multiple novels
  • The orphan protagonist (Pip in Great Expectations, Esther Summerson in Bleak House)
  • The manipulative villain (Uriah Heep in David Copperfield, Madame Defarge in A Tale of Two Cities)
• These archetypes and recurring types create familiarity and resonance for readers

Moral Transformation and Foil Characters

• Many of Dickens' characters undergo a moral transformation, often from selfishness to selflessness (Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol)
  • This transformation is usually catalyzed by a significant event or influence
• Foil characters serve as contrasts to the protagonist, highlighting their qualities and development
  • Estella's coldness emphasizes Pip's emotional growth in Great Expectations
  • Sydney Carton's sacrifice underscores Charles Darnay's moral dilemmas in A Tale of Two Cities

Symbolism and Allegory

Symbolic Settings and Pathetic Fallacy

• Dickens uses settings as symbols to reflect characters' emotional states or societal issues
  • The decaying Satis House in Great Expectations represents Miss Havisham's deteriorating mental state
  • The polluted River Thames in Our Mutual Friend symbolizes the corruption and decay of Victorian society
• Pathetic fallacy, attributing human emotions to inanimate objects or nature, enhances the symbolic meaning of settings
  • The stormy weather during Magwitch's return in Great Expectations mirrors Pip's inner turmoil

Motifs and Allegorical Characters

• Recurring motifs, such as imprisonment (literal and figurative) in Little Dorrit and A Tale of Two Cities, reinforce central themes
  • Imprisonment symbolizes both societal oppression and psychological confinement
• Allegorical characters embody abstract ideas or qualities
  • Mr. Gradgrind in Hard Times represents the dehumanizing effects of utilitarianism
  • The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in A Christmas Carol symbolizes Scrooge's feared future if he does not change his ways

Dickensian Conventions

Naming Conventions and Characterization

• Dickens often uses characters' names to reflect their personalities or roles in the story
  • Mr. M'Choakumchild's name in Hard Times suggests his harsh, fact-based teaching method that stifles creativity
  • Mr. Bumble's name in Oliver Twist reflects his bumbling, ineffectual nature as a parish beadle
• Naming conventions serve as a form of characterization, providing insight into characters' traits and functions within the narrative
  • Uriah Heep's name in David Copperfield evokes his slimy, snake-like nature and duplicitous behavior
  • Mrs. Jellyby's name in Bleak House suggests her misguided philanthropic efforts that neglect her own family