Author: Charles Dickens was one of the leading writers of his time, as well as being a strogn social campaigner. Born in February 1812, he came from a moderately wealthy family, with his father a clerk in the Navy Office in Portsmouth. However, when DIckens was still young, his father was sent to prison due to his debt, and a 12 year old Dickens went to work in a bloot-blacking factory, an experience which introduced him to the real world of hardship, poverty and exploitment, and was often a basis for his later story writing. It is important to realise that Dickens wrote serialised stories, which often explain the climax at the end of each chapter of his novels, as he left the reader eagerly waiting for the next chapter.
Great Expectations: This was written in 1861, and has become known as one of the best novels of Dickens, with its strong characters such as Miss Havisham. Each installment of Great Expectations contained two chapters, and explains the crescendo's of climax found in the novel.
Plot: THe story follows Pip from childhood to adulthood. At first, he is seen as an orphan, being brought up by his harsh sister and her gentle husband, Joe. During a trip to the graveyard to visit his father and mother as well as other siblings, he sees an escaped criminal, whom he helps with food. The criminal is eventually caught, and taken away, and is quickly forgotten by Pip. Pip is being apprenticed as a blacksmith to help Joe. However, an elderly wealthy woman named Miss Havisham pays Pip's sister to allow Pip to become a companion for her adopted daughter, Estella, whom Pip falls in love with. Estella, however is cold towards Pip, and is encouraged to act in this manner by Miss Havisham, due to her past experiences. Pip eventually feels discouraged, and wishes he was a gentleman to impress Estella. One day, Pip finds out that an annonymous benefactor has paid for him to go to London, and to grow up as a gentleman. Here, he makes friends with Herbert, a kind, funny boy, however this change is social companions means he turns his back on Joe and those he knew before. However, when Pip discovers the identity of his benefactor, the foundations of his new life are shaken, and the reader sees how Pip deals with this.
THoughts: Great Expectations is an interesting read in regards to atttitudes towards different classes, and for those who have interest in such history, there will no doubt be enjoyment from this novel. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book, and found it a captivating read, as you identify with the feelings of many characters; Joe's continuous kindness towards Pip, Pip's desire to be a genteman, and Miss Havisham's revenge.
It is a difficult read, but once you begin to get into the story, you will enjoy the twists and turns of the plot, and for me, the ending took me by surprise. I would recommend it for those who are willing to stick with it to the end.
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A terrifying encounter with an escaped convict in a graveyard on the wild Kent marshes; a ... more
summons to meet the bitter decaying Miss Havisham and her beautiful cold-hearted ward Estella; the sudden generosity of a mysterious benefactor - these form a s...
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Advantages: Great story that offers so much to the reader that they won't want to stop until it's over Disadvantages: May miss parts of the audio and story
Jun 19th, 2008
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