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.