"A fearful man, all in coarse gray, with a great iron on his leg. A man with no hat, and with broken shoes, and with an old rag tied round his head. A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles, and torn by briars; who limped and shivered, and glared and growled; and whose teeth chattered in his head as he seized me by the chin."
In Great Expectations, does the man seem "fearful" and what details make them think so?
A: The man seems "fearful" in that he is causing or likely to cause people to be afraid of him. The descriptive details of the man's appearance gives this impression.
I believe the "fearful man" is Abel Magwitch.
I agree, as in your previous post.
In Great Expectations, the man described in the passage seems "fearful" due to several details in his appearance. These details include:
1. Coarse gray clothing: The man is dressed in coarse gray clothing, which could indicate a lack of care for his appearance and give off an intimidating or unsettling vibe.
2. Iron on his leg: The fact that the man has a great iron on his leg suggests that he might be a prisoner or someone who has been confined or restrained, potentially making him a source of fear for others.
3. Broken shoes: The man's broken shoes imply that he is in a state of disrepair or destitution, which could give the impression that he may resort to desperate or unpredictable behavior.
4. Old rag tied around his head: The use of an old rag as a head covering suggests a lack of proper attire, further emphasizing the man's unkempt appearance and potentially making him seem more menacing or unpredictable.
5. Soaked in water, smothered in mud, etc.: The description of the man being soaked in water, covered in mud, and injured by stones, flints, nettles, and briars implies that he has been through a rough or harsh experience. This could contribute to his fearful demeanor, as physical distress may cause him to react unpredictably.
6. Limping, shivering, glaring, growling: The man's physical actions, such as limping, shivering, glaring, and growling, all indicate distress or discomfort. These behaviors contribute to the overall sense of fear and unease that the man exudes.
7. Chattering teeth: The fact that the man's teeth are chattering further highlights his physical and mental distress. This involuntary reaction can convey a sense of fear and uncertainty.
Overall, the combination of the man's disheveled appearance, physical distress, and unsettling behaviors contribute to the impression that he is a fearful presence.