It's not only the details Dickens shows us through Pip's eyes when he enters Miss Haversham's room for the very first time, it's the way he has Pip look again, and again, with more detail and significance unfolding each time. What Dickens knew that scientists who study perception are discovering now, is that perception breaks on our minds like waves, not all at once. When we see a thing, we see it in waves. We see an impression, then we see detail, then another impression with more detail. It's fascinating how Dickens renders this process in language. He just uses words to show us the perceiving mind.
I don't use this word often, but Dickens is awesome.
Anyway, I don't have any books with me at the moment, but do find those pages in Great Expectations where Pip enters THAT room for the first time. It's miraculous.
Cally
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