The Gothic in Great Expectations *

Great Expectations has many links to the Gothic, from the setting and storyline to the characters. 

Setting: 

https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/great-expectations-2011-gillian-andersons-eerie-interpretation-of-miss-havisham/

Satis House is the main Gothic setting of the book. Described in the book as 'old brick, and dismal, and had a great many iron bars to it. Some of the windows had been walled up; of those that remained, all the lower were rustily barred. There was a courtyard in front, and that was barred... I peeped in... and saw that at the side of the house there was a large brewery. No brewing was going on in it, and none seemed to have gone on for a long time'. The house is described to be dirty, damp and in a terrible condition.  This creates a creepy, eerie setting for the book. The building itself that has been used in the most recent film has elements of Gothic Architecture to it,  such as arches and gargoyles. 

Clashing time periods:

Another element of the Gothic that Great Expectations includes is clashing time periods. This is included in Great Expectations in the way that other time periods are being continuously referenced, such as the late Georgian period where Miss Havisham was jilted at the alter. 

Power and Constraint: 
Another Gothic Theme within Great Expectations is power and constraint. This is shown in the book between the relationships between Miss Havisham, Estella and Pip. Miss Havisham has raised Estella to be cold and to break the hearts of men, which leads to Estella resenting Miss Havisham. Another example of this is the power that Estella holds over Pip for the majority of the book but then at the end it is revealed that she was intact born to a lower class than even Pip.

Miss Havisham: 
Due to her Witch like description and ghostly appearance, Miss Havisham definitely brings elements of the Gothic to Great Expectations. It is also her borderline insane, cruel personality that almost takes the place of a Gothic Villain within the book. The juxtaposing features in her appearance also contribute, such as the fact the wears such expensive and extravagant jewels but her form is decaying, unwashed and probably ridden with disease.