Techniques Used To Convey The Concerns Of The Nineteenth Century?

Mike Newell’s 2012 adaptation of Great Expectations, uses filmic techniques effectively to convey the concerns of the nineteenth century. Social class was an enormous issue in the story and this is reflected through costumes, characters and plot. Additionally, vengeance is a central theme and is portrayed through camera shots, flashbacks, characters and plot. Another significant concern of this story is love, which is shown through the characters, the lighting and the plot.

The division of social classes is the basis of the film and a monumental concern in the nineteenth century. Filmic techniques like costumes, actors, narrative and characters are all used to illustrate the social divide of the nineteenth century. The costumes that are used

The character of Miss Havisham, is the embodiment of revenge, she aims to wreak havoc on males, through Estella. Initially she meant to “save her from misery” (Great Expectations 2012), nonetheless her actions transform her into an unfeeling, cold person. Her relationships and interactions within the film demonstrate the concern of vengeance, especially in the way she treats Pip and Estella. Essentially, history repeats itself as Pip feels the same sorrow that Miss Havisham does because of Estella. Miss Havisham recognises this and asks if he “can ever bear to forgive [her]?”(Great Expectations 2012). This represents Miss Havisham’s acknowledgement of her actions and the consequences of revenge. Likewise, the film uses flashbacks to explain Miss Havisham’s motivations and further explore the theme of revenge, enabling the audience to understand the concerns of this story. Helena-Bonham Carter’s portrayal of Miss Havisham is captivating, as she is both sympathetic and villainous, which invests the audience in her character and inevitably her quest for revenge. Vengeance manifests in different ways, allowing the audience to appreciate the consequences of revenge. Moreover, Miss Havisham’s home, shows the consequences of being consumed by revenge, as she uses her home to remind her of the betrayal she suffered. When Pip first meets Miss Havisham, the audience sees her home through his perspective, establishing the mood and Miss Havisham’s character. The lighting of the room is dark, indicating sadness, while the panning camera highlights the disordered state of the room, establishing her anger and raising questions about her past. Miss Havisham purposely maintained the exact state of the home from when she was jilted as a constant reminder of her misfortune, highlighting the theme of vengeance. These techniques effortlessly assist the audience in