'In Great Expectations Dickens encourages us to feel sorry for characters who find it impossible to escape their past.' How far do you agree with this view? Explore at least two moments from the novel to support your ideas. - OCR - GCSE English Literature - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 1

To engage with the idea that Dickens encourages sympathy for characters trapped by their past, we can analyze the characters of Pip and Magwitch in 'Great Expectations.'

1. Pip's Transformation and Regret
Pip, the protagonist, is profoundly affected by his upbringing and social status. Initially, he is a humble blacksmith's apprentice, but he is thrust into the world of the upper class after receiving an unexpected fortune. The moment he returns to the marshes after visiting Satis House evokes a sense of alienation and loss. Here, Dickens allows us to witness Pip’s struggle with his identity and the moral implications of his rise in social status. As Pip experiences feelings of guilt and shame for his origins, readers are encouraged to feel a sense of pity for his plight—a character unable to escape the shadows of his past despite his material success.

2. Magwitch's Fate
Magwitch, the convict who provides for Pip, represents another facet of Dickens's exploration of the past. Initially portrayed as a fearsome figure, his backstory reveals the kindness that once existed within him, marred by his experiences in a harsh society. During the scene where Magwitch reveals himself to Pip in London, we see how his past as a convict shapes his current existence. Dickens elicits sympathy from the reader; after all, Magwitch's life is a product of his past choices and the societal judgment he faces. Despite his criminality, the reader is left to ponder the injustices of his past that led to his downfall.

In both moments, Dickens crafts characters who are inextricably linked to their histories. As readers, we are provoked to feel compassion for Pip’s internal struggle and Magwitch’s tragic circumstances, underscoring the view that Dickens indeed encourages us to feel sympathy for those haunted by their past.