“...he would slouch out, like...the Wandering Jew, as if he had no idea where he was going and no intention of ever coming back...” (Page 125)
According to legend, as Jesus made his way to his crucifixion bearing the cross, a cobbler saw him and made such remarks as “crucify him” and “go where thou belongest.” Upon hearing these cruel words, Jesus informed the cobbler that he would roam restlessly over the earth until Judgment Day as punishment. It seems that Dickens describes Orlick as being similar to the Wandering Jew not only because of his poor posture, but also because of his rude behavior and generally unpleasant nature. Orlick can be considered the antagonist of the story because of his odious ways. Due to his uncivil conduct toward Pip, Joe, and Mrs. Joe and, as the reader later learns, his bludgeoning of Mrs. Joe, it can be assumed that he would be eternally punished similarly to how the Wandering Jew was punished.
"CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Literary or Profane Legends." NEW ADVENT: Home. Web. 03 Jan. 2010. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09121a.htm#section10.
The Wandering Jew. Digital image. Web. 03 Jan. 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Wandering_jew.jpg.
No comments:
Post a Comment