Great Expectations Figurative Language Essay

In the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, figurative language, symbolism and imagery work together in order to establish character. Mr. Jaggar possesses many characteristics of a stereotypical lawyer, with his aggressive and somewhat rude demeanor. He is a very stern, strict man with his no mercy attitude and his well practiced intimidation skills. When Pip first enters Mr. Jagger’s office, he remarks, “The room was small… the wall, especially opposite to Mr. Jagger’s chair, being greasy with shoulders.” (148). The imagery illustrates how the clients of Mr. Jagger clearly feared him, expressed by the sweat stains left on the wall from their stressed nature. His power is undeniable and unquestioned, since no one dares to say otherwise. He is a dark, oppressing man who can make

As Pip continues to explore and scavenge through Mr. Jagger’s office, he describes a high-backed chair that was made of deadly black horsehair, with rows of brass nails. The chair, which is used by Mr. Jagger, is said to symbolize a coffin. The coffin gives off the overwhelming essence of confinement and being trapped in such a small, dark space, which is exactly how his clients must feel. Mr. Jagger is also a man of money. Pip explains that Mr. Jagger’s closet, “ smelt of scented soap like a perfumer’s shop” (191). This simile demonstrates Mr. Jagger’s regular use of scented soap, which at the time, represented his wealth and higher social class.
Imagery, figurative language and symbolism also work together in order to communicate the theme of the novel. One of the main themes that has come up so far is that money cannot buy you everything in the world, especially not happiness. As demonstrated, even though Mr. Jagger is financially successful and is in a higher class, he is not happy. He has no mercy, humanity, or sentimentality for anyone,