Great Expectations
Charles Dickens
Great Expectations is Charles Dickens' thirteenth novel, and written in 1860, it focuses on the main theme of social criticism. It is set in Kent in the early 1800's, and is told in the first person in form of narration by young Philip Pirrip (or Pip for short). I think that this story can be described as an example of bildungsroman, as it denotes the growth and development of the protagonist over a period of time, and how their outlook on life is shaped and altered by the events and experiences in their past. I really enjoyed reading this story, and I would definitely regard it as a timeless classic.
The story starts in the moors of Kent, where we are introduced to a young orphan named Pip, who lives with his older sister (by many years) and her husband Joe Gargery, a blacksmith. One evening, he was walking back from the cemetery (where he was visiting his parents' grave) when he was stopped by an escaped convict by the name of Abel Magwitch. The convict threatens Pip for a metal file to break open his shackles, and forces Pip to swear to secrecy that he will not tell a single soul about this encounter. Scared and confused, Pip runs home and steals a file from the forge, but he also cuts a hearty slice of meat pie from the kitchen without his sister's knowing. Surprised and grateful for this kind gesture, Magwitch (who probably hasn't eaten for days) is overcome and eats the pie which most likely saved him from starvation. When Pip leaves the marshes, he is with the mindset that he will never see this man again, but little does he know that Magwitch never forgets his boyhood kindness, and will return in the future with a reward...
My favourite character in this story is Miss Havisham, as I think that she is so beyond the point of evil that it creates interest throughout the course of the novel. For those who don't know, when she was younger, Miss Havisham was left by her fiancee on her wedding day. She has never recovered from this, and although she is an elderly woman now, she is just merely the shell of a woman, who is filled with bitterness, regret, and most of all a grudge against all men. I think that if something like that happened to a person, then the best thing to do would be to move on and start again, but it is strange and quite scary that she chooses to literally 'live in it' by always wearing her wedding dress (which is now torn and discoloured) and the way she chooses to leave the wedding table full of food and cake, which is now covered in cobwebs and consumed by rodents. But the saddest thing is that she is so set in her ways, that she chose to corrupt the mind of her adopted daughter or her 'prize' Estella, by leading her to believe that all men are selfish and deceptive, and deserve to have their hearts broken. This is particularly angering, as Estella later becomes a love interest for Pip who doesn't deserve to have his heart broken, especially in the way in which it is.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, as it is just an amazing story with many unforgettable characters. Although it is quite long, it is full of new and interesting vocabulary, and there are certain parts that will certainly have you reduced to tears. With reference to target audience, I would say anyone over the age of 12, but even if yiu are not interested in the book, then there are many other ways of experiencing the story, like through the television series, or the recent movie that has just come out in cinemas.
The story starts in the moors of Kent, where we are introduced to a young orphan named Pip, who lives with his older sister (by many years) and her husband Joe Gargery, a blacksmith. One evening, he was walking back from the cemetery (where he was visiting his parents' grave) when he was stopped by an escaped convict by the name of Abel Magwitch. The convict threatens Pip for a metal file to break open his shackles, and forces Pip to swear to secrecy that he will not tell a single soul about this encounter. Scared and confused, Pip runs home and steals a file from the forge, but he also cuts a hearty slice of meat pie from the kitchen without his sister's knowing. Surprised and grateful for this kind gesture, Magwitch (who probably hasn't eaten for days) is overcome and eats the pie which most likely saved him from starvation. When Pip leaves the marshes, he is with the mindset that he will never see this man again, but little does he know that Magwitch never forgets his boyhood kindness, and will return in the future with a reward...
My favourite character in this story is Miss Havisham, as I think that she is so beyond the point of evil that it creates interest throughout the course of the novel. For those who don't know, when she was younger, Miss Havisham was left by her fiancee on her wedding day. She has never recovered from this, and although she is an elderly woman now, she is just merely the shell of a woman, who is filled with bitterness, regret, and most of all a grudge against all men. I think that if something like that happened to a person, then the best thing to do would be to move on and start again, but it is strange and quite scary that she chooses to literally 'live in it' by always wearing her wedding dress (which is now torn and discoloured) and the way she chooses to leave the wedding table full of food and cake, which is now covered in cobwebs and consumed by rodents. But the saddest thing is that she is so set in her ways, that she chose to corrupt the mind of her adopted daughter or her 'prize' Estella, by leading her to believe that all men are selfish and deceptive, and deserve to have their hearts broken. This is particularly angering, as Estella later becomes a love interest for Pip who doesn't deserve to have his heart broken, especially in the way in which it is.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, as it is just an amazing story with many unforgettable characters. Although it is quite long, it is full of new and interesting vocabulary, and there are certain parts that will certainly have you reduced to tears. With reference to target audience, I would say anyone over the age of 12, but even if yiu are not interested in the book, then there are many other ways of experiencing the story, like through the television series, or the recent movie that has just come out in cinemas.
heey :)
ReplyDeletevery detailed and you put a lot of effort into it. You used a lot of detail and included a brief outline of the story.
to improve your review maybe include a video clip and check spelling.
well done!!! fae x