Photo Post

I feel that this photo accurately represents Great Expectations.  Each and every character says one thing, and does another.  Although actions speak louder than words, they are usually only a shadow masked by a false exterior.  Miss Havisham leads Pip to believe she is his benefactor.  Compeyson acts like a smooth gentleman; when in actuality he is a mischievous, evil conman.  Pip grows ashamed of Joe, someone who truly loves him.  Betrayal is a common motif in Great Expectations, and this picture depicts it perfectly.

Making Connections

               In Great Expectations,  I personally see the main purpose of the book as a message.  I think that Charles Dickens was trying to convey how he feels about life.  He believes that life is a more fulfilling, beautiful thing when it is simpler.  When life gets complicated and one comes into money, or is suddenly powerful, it is more challenging.  Happiness is determined by your attitude and a simple way of life.

               The story about Pip begins when he is at his most innocent.  He lives in a small town near the marshes and leads the life of a common person.  He seems content being who he is, for the most part. Life is good.
  His perception is drastically changed when he catches a taste of being more.  This change in viewpoint happens when he meets Estella.  Suddenly and all at once, his expectations are fulfilled.  He has more than he ever dreamed of having, yet he is not happy.  He buys all the fancy furniture and fine food he could ever need, but something inside him still isn't content.

               Pinocchio, in my eyes, has a very similar message and storyline.  It begins with a small wooden marionette puppet.  This puppet's maker, Geppetto is exactly like the character Joe from Dicken's work.  He is kind, sweet, and truthful.  Pinocchio wants to be a real boy, and that is all he longs for.  When his expectations are fulfilled, however, he wants more.  He becomes greedy and self-centered.  Like Pip, he is controlled by strings, both literally and metaphorically--money and power.  He betrays Gepetto.  He doesn't prove that he can be compassionate and truthful until he hits rock bottom. 

               I have been keeping up with the reading on the calendar, and have not read ahead.  But I am guessing that Great Expectations will end in a similar way to Pinocchio.  I think that Pip will do something horrible and finally see what he has become.  He will correct his wrong doings and make things right, going back to his original way of life. 

Second Stage

A very significant event that occurred in the second stage of Pip's expectations was his arrival to London.  He was disappointed.  He thinks, "While I was scared by the immensity of London, I think I might have had some faint doubts whether it was not rather ugly, crooked, narrow, and dirty." (Dickens, Pg. 161)  It is obvious that becoming "a gentleman" and living in London could be less than glamorous.  This occurrence displays how Dickens feels about living in the upper class--it leads to a life without joy or gaiety.

In the first stage, Pip is innocent and eager.  Becoming a gentleman is his dream, and he can imagine that such an opportunity would be nothing short of fantastic.  I am sure that before his wildest dreams came true, he would have been amazed to be in London.  Everything was exciting to him.  Since a mysterious benefactor has become interested in him, however, he is less easily awed.  Becoming a gentleman, in the book, is a common motif throughout.  I suspect that Dickens is also saying something about life.  He is using Pip and the characters around him as instruments to suggest that becoming "a gentleman" can have a negative effect on someone's life.  Being a part of higher society can lead to a less fulfilling life, despite the benefits.

Pip Quote

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day."


At Mrs. Havisham's, Pip is embarrassed of Joe's illiteracy and shyness.  He thinks, "I am afraid I was ashamed of the dear fellow-I know I was ashamed of him..."  This one event causes a long line of events to occur, leading Pip to realize that he doesn't want to be like Joe.  He wants to accomplish great things, and not be a blacksmith.  In the first few chapters, Pip acts like a child.  He has his own opinions, but needs to be taken care of.  He goes with the flow like most children, and just assumes his life will go where fate takes him.  Later, however, he understands that he needs to fight against the current to find his place and to achieve his goals.  He matures greatly in the most recent chapters.  Pip has a moment where he realizes that one decision can alter his life forever.  


One day in 8th grade, I realized that decisions I make in the moment should be based on more than what my friends are doing or what I think might fun at the time.  I decided to be my own person, and make choices that reflect my character.  Choices that possibly could harm my body or future are easy to make.  Every time I face a decision, I think about how bad decisions could haunt me for the rest of my life.  I remember that everything I do defines who am, link by link.