Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Orlick
Orlick is a vicious, hateful, and strong character in Great Expectations. He is always tormenting Pip for no reason. It almost seems like he is trying to hurt Pip for fun. At one point Orlick even goes as far to attack Mrs. Joe. He is also always slouching around making him seem like a dark mischievous character. From his name you can see that he is an evil character. The way Orlick sounds just gives one a shady feeling about that character. It also kind of sounds like and resembles the word warlock which is a term used for a male that has obtained mystical powers usually for evil. It is the equivalent to a witch. So to me Orlick's name reveals that he is a evil vicious character that likes to hurt people.
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I qualify your statments. Although, Orlick is a dark and nasty character who often picks on Pip, his name could also refer to the amount of work he does. The word lick can be interpreted in two ways. First, as a verb meaning to hit or beat. While, Orlick does not physically abuse Pip, he intimidates Pip with his words. For example, Pip says, "The morose journeyman had no liking for me. When I was small and timid, he gave me to understand that the Devil lived in the black corner of the forge, and that he knew that fiend very well: also that it was necessary to make up the fire, once in seven years, with a living boy and that I might consider myself fuel." (p.113) As you can see, Orlick is bullying and scaring Pip talking about the devil. This shows how Orlick is a malicious and shrewd man because he enjoys scaring little, innocent kids just like Pip. Another instance of Orlick being vicious is in his fight with Mrs. Joe. After he hears that Pip wants a half-holiday, he demands that he deserves one too, saying that it is only fair. Mrs. Joe, overhearing this conversation, jumps in instantly, saying that Orlick does not deserve a half-holiday. They both exchange words for awhile and Orlick says things like, "You're a foul shrew Mother Gargery" (p.114) and "I'd hold you, if you was my wife. I'd hold you under the pump, and choke it out of you." (p.114). These quotes show how vicious Orlick is. He is not afraid to insult Mrs. Joe calling her, "a foul shrew", proving how Orlick is a dark and hateful character. Then, the second meaning of lick is a small amount. This also fits Orlick because he does not do a lot of work. He rarely shows up to work and when he does it seems as if he does not want to be there. For example, when describing him, Pip says, "He never seemed to come to his work on purpose, but would slouch in as if by mere accident." Therefore, from this quote, one can infer that Orlick is not hardworking as he never comes to work with a reason. As a result, Orlick's name fits him because he is very vicious and often beats others up with his words and he does a small amount of work.
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