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Dehumanization In The Adventures Of Peregrine Pickle

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In this excerpt from The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751) by Tobias Smollet, Mr. Pickle and Gauntlet begin to quarrel regarding Gauntlet’s questioning of Mr. Pickle’s intentions towards his sister Emilia. While attempting to maintain some respect towards each other, the two men are soon so taken over by their emotions and need for superiority that they decide to end their quarrel over a sword fight. Smollet comments on society’s overvaluation of social standing and its subsequent dehumanization through his usage of dialogue and animalistic diction.
Smollett uses dialogue to illustrate the initial interaction between Mr.Pickle and Gauntlet where they attempt to remain proper with each other but their seemingly civil confrontation quickly …show more content…

Pickle’s emotional rage. Primarily, they demonstrate attempts at maintain aging propriety as before their sword fight they “helped to pull off each other’s boots,” and, inconsideration to Mr. Pickle’s disadvantage, Gauntlet admits his regard as an “expert swordsman”, and suggests that they fight using “pistols” to be “more equal.” Smollett contrasts Gauntlets consideration and propriety with the previous insults Mr. Pickles placed upon him, and sheds light upon the depth of Mr.Pickle’s need for superiority especially as he refuses to change to pistols due to him being “too confident of his own skills.” Mr. Pickle was too overtaken by his ego to realize the necessity for this propriety as he is now in a disadvantaged position, refusing to admit inferiority in something to Gauntlet; a man of lower class. Additionally, Smollett chooses specific animalistic diction that show this sense of dehumanization where Mr. Pickles thinks to “punish” Gauntlet for his suggestion with a “horsewhip,” using such degrading words that reveals the beginning of Mr. Pickle’s loss to his pride. Furthermore, Smollett describes their fight using “attacked” and “ferocity,” which have connotations of animalistic behavior, furthering this metaphor of dehumanization. Smollett comments on Mr. Pickle’s detachment from social propriety and humanity due to his lust for feeling superior and the overall dehumanization of stripping an individual down to their class rather than judging them as a person. This illustration of animalistic behavior is furthered with Smollett’s descriptions of Mr. Pickle being “transported with rage at the sight of his own blood,” which mimics that of a wild animal in a fight, motivated by blood lust and dominance to secure being the ‘alpha’ of a territory. This parallels Mr. Pickle’s actions as he

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