Pip, a Manifestation of Adam in Literature: An archetypal Study of the Bible and Dickens` Great Expectation

This paper intends to bridge a gap between the biblical story of Adam and Eve and Charles Dickens’ Great Expectation. This relationship is established by scrutinizing counterparts of the above named stories. The result is accomplished by exploiting commonalities, namely, setting, the notion of Temptation, and suffering for inclining toward Temptation. From this perspective Pip embodies Adam whose giving in Temptation brings about his suffering. Word picturing subsumed with the delineation of setting, the power of naming, and name symbolism bears heavy touches of delicacy to be observed in both stories. Neither Adam, nor Pip, nor anyone else, notwithstanding the hereafter`s promise of salvation and a better life, could stand the sophistication of the Temptation. This inability of man`s emancipation from the regime of Satan, that is to say, giving in to the Satan`s allurement, is not confined exclusively to these stories. But, it has been an archetype to the works of many other literary men; Christopher Marlowe`s Dr. Faustus, Oscar Wilde`s The Picture of Dorian Gray, and etc. to name a few. Man is always exposed to Temptation and it is not restricted to a particular time or place. Nowadays, this exposition embodies itself in the disguise of a life for a more promising future. So, contemplating the above mentioned stories and the result of their deeds, one can come to this conclusion that it is better to stick to the safe side of life, and never try to achieve a prosperity centered on wicked and immoral mediums for sure a punishment lies in the ambush for those who resign to temptation.

Keywords:

Adam and Eve , Great Expectation , Pip , Temptation , Loss of Innocence , Suffering.