Literary+Devices

Dickens makes use of a number of different literary devices throughout his novels. Three such devices include: similes, irony, and foreshadowing.

====**__Similes__** are "A figure of speech that makes a comparison between two seemingly unlike things by using a connective word such as //like//, //as//, //than// or //resembles//." (//Elements of Literature// 1201).====

Throughout both of his novels, Dickens uses similes very methodically to effectively provide information to the reader. The characters themselves are often the main focus of Dickens’ writing during the stories and with the use of similes, he is able to describe the characters with great detail in a few brief sentences. This is especially effectual for his writing considering that numerous characters appear for only brief periods and thus Dickens was limited in his ability to convey them to his audience. Not only was Dickens able to convey the characteristics of the people he crafted, but the information provided often plays an important role when a character returns later on.

====**__Irony__** is "A contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality-between what is said and what is really meant, between what is expected and what really happens, or between what appears to be true and what is really true." (//Elements of Literature// 1196).====

The author successfully makes use of irony for a number of purposes in Great Expectations as well as in David Copperfield. Dickens is able to provide a good deal of humor. Not only is Dickens able to arouse such humor through his irony, but he is also able to create a certain level of suspense during certain points of his stories. For moments such as these, irony was crucial to develop the excitement of the moment that incites a general desire to continue on reading the novel. Irony was also imperative in including morals or lessons to teach the audience, such as how so much good can come from something bad quite bad.

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__**Foreshadowing**__ is defined as "The use of clues to hint at what is going to happen later in the plot." (//Elements of Literature// 1195). ======

By hinting at events ever so slightly, Dickens is, in a way, able to prepare his audience for shocking or surprising events further on in the story. In preparing the audience for a development in the story, Dickens is able to prevent the results of the development from seeming haphazard, senseless or arbitrary. In addition, he uses foreshadowing to generate suspense in the story. The strange man with the file is a capital example of an instance of foreshadowing that becomes a catalyst for great suspense. When foreshadowing is used correctly, as it is in David Copperfield and Great Expectations, the author maintains the ability to intrigue the readers with suspense, or prepare them for events that will soon transpire. All of the literary devices Charles Dickens keeps up his sleeve are often very simple and yet they endlessly augment his works into the masterpieces they are cherished as.