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Discuss how origins are explored through realist and other conventions

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Discuss how origins are explored through realist and other conventions referring to Great Expectations and Frankenstein.

Realism is the presentation of art to show life "as it is". Realist fiction is the platform which allows the reader to be addressed in such a way that he or she is always, in some way, saying, "Yes. That's it, that's how it really is." The realist novel, in trying to show us the world as it is, often reaffirms, in the last instance, the way things are.

In Great Expectations, and Frankenstein, we are exposed to the harsh certainties of realism, albeit whilst exploring very different story lines. Each respective author has employed various techniques to make their stories more believable. Both novels are …show more content…

Through this technique, we are inside Pip's mind, sharing his consciousness, and experiences. We are exposed to
Pip's origins and orphan status in the following passage:

"As I never saw my father or my mother, and never saw any likeness of either of the my first fancies regarding what they were like were unreasonably derived from their tombstones. The shape of the letters on my father's gave me an odd idea that he was a square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair. From the character and turn of the inscription, "Also Georgiana Wife of the Above," I drew a childish conclusion that my mother was freckled and sickly. (Ch.1. p.3)

This passage conveys Pip's thoughts as they mingle with his perception of the outside world. We are immediately sympathetic toward Pip not only because he is an orphan, but also because of his naivety and romantic idealism when describing his parents.

Pip's wish to become a 'gentleman' begins when he meets Miss Havisham and the beautiful Estella. He doesn't desire to be anything else, but is then forced, by Estella, to see himself from a completely different perspective: "'He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy what coarse hands he has. And what thick boots!' I had never thought of being ashamed of my hands before; but I began to consider them a very indifferent pair." (Ch.8.
p.60)

He then sees himself in a new light, and becomes extremely ashamed of his status. The normality of his life, and the people he

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