Charles Dickens employs pathetic fallacy in the opening chapter in order to create the mood of loneliness, dismay, unrest, and trepidation.
Everything is grey: the tombstone, the sky, the changing weather--even Pip's changing mood is affected by his encounter with the coarse convict all in grey. This grim setting serves to leave a powerful impression upon Pip, especially as it is accompanied by this "fearful man all in coarse grey" who has an iron on his leg and an old rag upon his head.
A man who had been soaked in water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and...torn by briars; who limped and shivered, and glared and growled....
This man is elemental himself, and Pip feels overpowered by the storm of his presence. In fact, Pip is profoundly affected by his encounter with the convict, so much so that it looms over him throughout his life. For, he is often fearful that Magwitch may seek him in London and cause him distress and great embarrassment. Always there is a certain unrest--a storm brewing--in Pip as he is fearful of any re-encounter with the old convict.
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