Sense Of Belonging In Charles Dickens Great Expectations

“Understanding nourishes belonging; a lack of understanding prevents it” Belonging is valuable because it enriches our identity through relationships, connections to place and offers acceptance and understanding. This value inspires human nature’s desire to seek belonging; however it is also Human nature to create barriers which prevent it. Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations exemplifies these concepts, through figurative language and structural form, protagonist Pips overwhelming desire to become a Gentleman, but also how lack of understanding is a constant obstacle throughout his journey to ascertain this perceived sense of belonging. The evocative illustrations and symbols in Shaun Tans picture book The Red Tree (2001) also encapsulate
This form is comparable to the structure of The Red Tree. Interpreted as a generalised account of a young girl experiencing a bad day, the differing eccentric dreamscapes on each page offer an underlying concept that belonging is complex and constantly shifting throughout ones journey. At different stages of his life he feels like he belongs, or does not belong to certain places: examples Wemmicks house when he goes to work at a law firm. Wemmicks house is described in a positive and warm manner, reflects warmth- strong sense of belonging and family. Contrasted with his dual character at work he puts on an office-clark demeanour, and at home he is at ease, with a warm and family oriented demeanour. Great Expectations: changing views of belonging influenced by lack of understanding and naivety. In the early stages Pip contrasts his meagre existence with the lavish lifestyle he got a glimpse of when he met the Havishams “I had believed in the best parlour as a most elegant saloon”. However this place also houses the character of Mrs Joe and Pumblechook, which reflect Pips anguish, abuse and criticism from Mrs Joe. The Red Tree: the simplistic syntax “sometimes you just don’t know what you’re supposed to do, “or who you are meant to be” effectively
Chapter 57 Pip returns to his home, older and wiser. The imagery of “rich summer growth” and “sweet summer scents filled the air” depict the warmth and sense of belonging he feels when he returns home to Joe and Biddy. “My great expectations had all dissolved, like our own marsh mists before the sun” about Joe “exactly what he had been in my eyes then, he was in my eyes still: just as simply faithful, and as simply right. Dickens makes the point that a gentleman is about integrity, not wealth. When Pip finally understands this, this is when he discovers a true sense of where he belongs. (also lack of Mrs Joe helps) The Red Tree: the connections between warmth and belonging are depicted in the final panel of the picture book. Despite the characters sense of alienation throughout the day’s journey, the final panel of The Red Tree contrasts this idea with the depiction of an immense sense of belonging. Portrayed through an image of the little girl returning home to her previously bleak room she began the day in, to find a lush, vibrant red tree flowering, and glowing with warmth. It is covered in the red Leaves that she initially viewed as out-of-reach. The character is looking up at the tree in admiration with a smile and this can be affiliated with Pips sense of admiration for Joe, and the