Reading 1001 discussion

14. If you have read Dickens's Great Expectations, how do the characters of Maggs and Phipps differ from those of Magwitch and Pip, and why has Carey introduced these differences? How do the character and life of Dickens himself differ from that of Oates? What elements of the plot of Jack Maggs could be called "Dickensian"? What are the implications of a contemporary Australian novelist harking back to nineteenth-century English traditions?

In Jack Maggs, the focus is on Maggs, the criminal. The book makes him a more sympathetic and human character than in Great Expectations. Carey essentially flips the two characters, in a way. In Great Expectations, the focus is on Pip (Mr. Phipps, in Jack Maggs) with the criminal taking on a smaller role. The criminal, Magwitch, is a very evil character with few redeeming qualities. Pip is the hero in GE, but is an unlikable character in JM.

It took me a while to connect Oates to Dickens. Aside from being writers, I don't feel they are very similar. I found Oates very unlikable. I also did not get the impression that he was necessarily a very good writer. I like to think of Dickens as much more likable, since he is one of my favorite authors. Many of the details of their family lives are similar (the sister-in-law, the son, mesmerism to treat tics, etc.).

Carey creates a Dickensian atmosphere by showing the bleakness and despair of 18th century lower class London society and the criminal underclass. He also uses colloquial language to reflect the differences between classes and life stations.

I think the connection between a contemporary Australian author and 19th century England hearkens back to the historical connection. Australia was established as a penal colony during Victorian times, and many current day Australians can trace their roots back through their descents who were exiled from there. Perhaps, the author used this story as a way to connect to his roots or those of people he knows, and speculate how life might be different for a convict returning back to London.

I actually disagree with Diane about Magwitch in GE I don't think he was irredeemable he was lead astray by those around him, he mourned the loss of his daughter and he loved Pip with a genuine love and I think he was redeemed at the end when Pip tells him about Estella.

I think the roles were subtley flipped in this retelling as Maggs came across as a human and kind character while Phipps was lead into a murder plot by those around him he was the misguided character in this telling.

I like to think that Dickens was not like Oates but to be honest he probably could have been seen that way by people around him, who knew him before the fame.

I agree with Book that Maggs is the more heroic character and Pip, the hero of Great Expectations is the disappointing Phipps in Carey's story.