Dark double

A character who can be interpreted as embodying another character’s darker feelings or possibilities. Orlick can be read as a dark double of Pip.

A character who reflects another character’s troubling impulses or possible darker self. Orlick can be interpreted as Pip’s dark double.

Orlick can be interpreted as Pip’s dark double. Both are associated with the forge and both resent aspects of their treatment; Orlick’s hatred gives violent form to destructive feelings that Pip fears or suppresses. On this reading, the confrontation dramatises Pip facing a disturbing possible version of himself.

A character who can be read as expressing another character’s hidden or suppressed feelings. Bertha can be interpreted as a dark double of Jane.

A character who mirrors another character’s troubling feelings or possibilities in a more extreme form.

Orlick can be read as Pip’s dark double. Both have worked at the forge and experience resentment connected to their position, but Orlick acts through murderous revenge. This reading also brings Pip’s troubling feelings about his harsh sister into view.

Orlick can be read as Pip’s dark double. Both experience resentment and frustration, and Orlick acts violently against the sister whose harshness Pip has suffered. On this reading, Orlick embodies destructive possibilities that Pip does not enact.

A character who reflects another character’s qualities, fears or suppressed desires, often in a more disturbing form.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE English Literature · 8702

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Edexcel GCSE English Literature · 1ET0

OCR GCSE English Literature · J352