Therefore I do require it, which I makes confession, to be brought reg'lar and draw'd mild

Therefore I do require it, which I makes confession, to be brought reg'lar and draw'd mild

In the works of Charles Dickens, the use of language is often a key element in conveying the personalities and motivations of his characters. One such example can be found in the quote, “Therefore I do require it, which I makes confession, to be brought reg'lar and draw'd mild.” This line, spoken by the character Mr. Wopsle in Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, is a perfect illustration of the author’s skill in capturing the unique dialects and speech patterns of his characters.

Mr. Wopsle is a minor character in the novel, a pompous and self-important man who fancies himself a great actor and performer. His use of language reflects his desire to appear sophisticated and educated, but also reveals his lack of true understanding or intelligence. The phrase “which I makes confession” is a prime example of this, as it is a convoluted and overly formal way of saying “I confess.” This verbosity and pretentiousness in his speech is a clear indication of Mr. Wopsle’s character and serves to highlight his flaws and shortcomings.

The phrase “to be brought reg'lar and draw'd mild” is another example of Dickens’ mastery of language and dialect. The use of the word “reg'lar” instead of “regular” and “draw'd” instead of “drawn” is a deliberate choice on the part of the author to convey the working-class background and lack of education of Mr. Wopsle. These colloquialisms add depth and authenticity to the character, making him more relatable and believable to the reader.

Overall, the quote “Therefore I do require it, which I makes confession, to be brought reg'lar and draw'd mild” is a perfect encapsulation of Charles Dickens’ talent for creating vivid and memorable characters through the use of language. Through his careful attention to detail and his skillful manipulation of dialect and speech patterns, Dickens brings his characters to life in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.