Essay Analysis of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Analysis of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Charles Dickens, the revolutionary 19th century novelist, wrote a bildungsroman of Phillip Pirrip (Pip) and the reality of his own â€Å"Great Expectations† in his pursuit to become a gentleman. In Chapter 8, the reader is introduced to Miss Havisham and Estella and this is where Pip first becomes dissatisfied with the life at the forge. There were many writers in Dickens’ day whose works are no longer read; this is possibly because Dickens did something idiosyncratically different from his contemporaries. The plot of Great Expectations is quite complex, yet it is the way that Dickens handles the various elements of the plot that makes the novel appealing. For instance, the†¦show more content†¦By introducing this character, the questions of why she is withdrawn and how this is related to the subplot concerning the convicts are left unanswered. It is not until during Chapters 40-42 that the reader finds out about Miss Havisham’s connection with the convicts. Dickens is deliberately vague about Miss Havisham’s past. This allows him later to introduce the idea that she might be Pip’s benefactor. From the first point of contact Dickens is creating twists and turns later in the novel. The eccentricity and eeriness of Miss Havisham fascinates the reader, as she is one of fiction’s â€Å"strangest†(Ch. 8 p. 46) women. Questions are posed in this chapter about the connection between her and Estella and why is she wearing â€Å"bridal dress† (Ch. 8 p. 50). The reader may assume several reasons but their innate inquisitiveness helps propel the novel forward. This device is used because of the structure of the novel. It was originally printed in weekly instalments. This means that Great Expectations does not have the structure of a conventional novel. Instead of moving towards a general climax, the story has many mini-resolutions of the plot. Each new episode needed a cliffhanger-type ending in order to ensure that the public would buy the next instalment. This has often been seen as a weakness of Charles Dickens’ novels as the story can become repetitive. An advantage of this is that the original reader, if having missed an issue, can have aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Charles Dickens Great Expectations3684 Words   |  15 PagesOlivia Smith Mr. Oravec AP Literature and Composition 27 January 2014 Analysis Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations â€Å"And as to the condition on which you hold your advancement in life—namely, that you are not to inquire or discuss to whom you owe it—you may be very sure that it will never be encroached upon, or even approached by me, or by any one belonging to me.† (Dickens, 177). This excerpt foretells the main theme of the novel, Pip’s journey of self-improvement. The main theme of the novelRead MoreAnalysis: Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens951 Words   |  4 Pageswill enjoy the experiences as a child. However, in the Victorian age, this is a completely different story as most children had to go through many hardships and sufferings, in order to satisfy the needs of their family. Great Expectations is set in the Victorian age and Charles Dickens portrays the years of childhood as at time of confusion, darkness and terror. Nevertheless, this unfavorable childhood helps Pip mature as a person in many different ways. Pips experiences with multiple people when heRead MoreAnalysis of the Use of Setting in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens1382 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis of the Use of Setting in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens The novel, Great Expectations, starts on the dull lonely marshes of Pip’s home village. Pip has a lack of identity in this book because it says, ‘My Father’s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Phillip, my infant tongue could make of both the names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip. This shows us that his lack of identity is downRead MoreCharles Dickens Great Expectations: End Analysis1039 Words   |  4 Pagesway the narrative ends. In the case of Great Expectations, Charles Dickens ultimately selected the ending in which Pip and Estella are reunited, leaving open the precise way their newfound emotional intimacy will develop. This is the most logical, as well as most satisfying, ending for the story because it meets all of the aforementioned criteria: including textual and thematic consistency. Pip and Estella need to deepen their emotional bond so that Dickens can send a message about the importanceRead MoreCharacter Analysis in Pip in Charles Dickens ´ Great Expectations1542 Words   |  7 Pages Everyone in life struggles to live up to what others and society expects them to be in life, the next Harvard Graduate, or the next new celebrity. But, these expectations can begin to define a person if he believes he has to conform to societys ex pectations. In Charles Dickens novel Great Expectations, young Pip feels the pressure from society and his love, Estella, to become a gentleman. By attempting to rise in his social class Pip then abandons his previous good morals and his family membersRead MoreCharles Dickens Great Expectations964 Words   |  4 PagesOliveros British Literature H February 24, 2016 TITLE Throughout Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, minor characters help in the development of Pip and his psychological state. The novel journeys with Pip as he grows from a poor, young boy to an adult in the upper class. Difficult situations, suspense, and dynamic characters fill the novel. Julian Moynahan, a professor emeritus of literature at Rutgers University, analyzed Dickens’ novel and produced excellent parallels between a select few of theRead MoreGreat Expectations1707 Words   |  7 PagesGreat Expectations Human nature is the psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind. Human nature separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. The underlining theme of human nature is evident in Great Expectation by Charles Dickens use of his characters. A main characteristic that Dickens displays is friendship. The friendship between Pip and Herbert is strong. Herbert was significant to Pip’s growth in social class and eventual to his revelation. â€Å"Friendship was oneRead MorePip’s Character Change in Charles Dickens Great Expectations1173 Words   |  5 PagesPip’s Character Change in Charles Dickens Great Expectations Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens is a compelling story rich in friendship, love and fortune. The main character, Pip, is a dynamic character that undergoes many changes through the course of the book and throughout this analysis, the character Pip, will be identified and his gradual change through the story will be quoted and explained. The main character, Pip, is a gentle character. His traits include Read MoreCritical Analysis Of Great Expectations1449 Words   |  6 Pageswork of fiction is, however, dependant on who is reading it at the time. In the case of Great Expectations there are a number of themes running through the text including betterment through education, what it is to be a gentleman, respectability and crime, parental /family ties, and industry and idleness. Many of the original readers of the work were not concerned with analysing these various themes, and how Dickens put the work together. Rather, it was enjoyed as a populist piece of fiction which simplyRead MoreGreat Expectations: Analyzed Through A Marxist Criticism1113 Words   |  5 Pageselement in the analysis of social change in Western societies. Marxism applies to the novel Great Expectations in many ways. Dickens uses Pip’s complex and altering relationships with Estella, Joe, and Magwitch to show the subjugation of the wor king-class from the privileged. Estella is raised in a prosperous household and is judgmental of Pip because he is from the working class. She insults his appearance when she says, But he is a common laboring boy. And look at his boots! (Dickens 45) because