essay topics about great expectations

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Order bidding, 30 ‘great expectations’ essay topics for your inspiration.

Every student dreams about the source of inspiration if their essays concern classical literature. In this article, we collect the most newsworthy ‘Great Expectations’ research topics that will give impetus to write a more fun essay for college.

Main Themes of ‘Great Expectations’

Before you start writing your essay, it is crucial to go through the novel’s main themes. Remember that you can always write an essay online with the help of experienced specialists. Turn to them whenever you get stuck during the writing process.

Social class

The novel explores class distinctions in Victorian England. Pip is from a humble background and has big dreams. He knows the differences between the upper and lower classes and is often ashamed of his social position. Dickens writes about the harmful effects of class consciousness, highlighting the injustice of a system that favors the wealthy and privileged.

The theme of ambition is a central one. Pip’s desire to improve and escape his underprivileged background drives much of the plot. However, his ambition has layers to it, leading him to make questionable decisions.

Characters undergo integrity tests throughout the novel. His desire for wealth and social status tests Pip’s sense of morality. He then confronts the consequences of his actions. On the other hand, characters like Joe and Herbert Pocket manifest integrity and serve as positive role models for Pip.

Pip’s relationship with his abusive older sister and kind-hearted brother-in-law shapes his early life. Later he discovers that his mysterious benefactor, Abel Magwitch, is the father figure he never had. The author also explores the theme of absent parents with characters like Estella and Miss Havisham.

Pip’s quest for social and financial success does not lead to satisfaction, highlighting the importance of moral justice. The novel also shows the harshness of the legal system and the incidental nature of punishment in Victorian England.

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Research Paper Topics for ‘Great Expectations’ by Dickens

Northrop Frye says: “Tragic heroes are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lighting than a clump of grass.” How had the suffering been brought upon others by protagonist contribute to the tragic vision of Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’?
The moral and ethical implications of the conflict between Pip and society in ‘Great Expectations.’
Why does the author use curiosity in ‘Great Expectations,’ and what does he want to show using it?
One event in Pip’s life that positively altered his perception of love.
How do the descriptions of the exterior, interior, and places in ‘Great Expectations’ relate to the lives of characters, their development, and fortunes?
How does Dickens use the setting in ‘Great Expectations’ to drive and change plot and character?
How do themes of comfort and strangeness, home and away, poverty and wealth work themselves out in the spaces of ‘Great Expectations’?
What does the map and movement of the novel ‘Great Expectations’ have to do with the context of Victorian capitalism?
Main characters from ‘Great Expectations’ and their relationship to money, work, and social class.
What do characters from ‘Great Expectations’ teach readers about life under developing Victorian capitalism?
Why does Dickens give each role of ‘Great Expectations’ the behaviors, activities, and duties that he does?
Why does Dickens choose particular characters of ‘Great Expectations’ to describe the England of his days?
Duress displayed through ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens.
Miss Havisham from ‘Great Expectations’ and her correlation to female hysteria of the Victorian era.
Compare the novel ‘Great Expectations’ with the autobiographical story of Dickens’ life and contrast events with it.

Essay Topics Comparing ‘Brave New World’ and ‘Great Expectations’

What are the major themes discussed in the novels ‘Brave New World’ and ‘Great Expectations’? How do these themes describe fears of authors and the greater extent of society in the time of their publication?
Is some validity in the way the castes are described in ‘Brave New World’ and ‘Great Expectations’? Or are they merely a hypothetical presentation of what society under the World State looks like?
Compare the ways the World State treats its citizens like commodities to benefit the greater good of the State as a whole in ‘Brave New World’ and the same for society in ‘Great Expectations.’
The theme of love in ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘Brave New World.’
Compare and contrast John, Helmholtz, and Bernard from ‘Brave New World’ with Pip from ‘Great Expectations.’ Do any of these characters reveal something about authors’ personalities?
How are castes distinguished from one another in ‘Brave New World’ and ‘Great Expectations’? Are they presented similarly to other aspects of modern society?
The relationship between political power, religion, and science in the community that exists within ‘A Brave New World.’ Compare these relations with ‘Great Expectations.’
How is infantility achieved in the novels ‘A Brave New World’ and ‘Great Expectations’? What case is Huxley trying to make about Pavlovian processes in learning and psychology?
A critical analysis of Mustapha Mond’s arguments against the ideals of freedom in ‘Brave New World.’ Is there any validity to them? How does Charles Dickens describe these ideals in ‘Great Expectations’?
What is the purpose of conditioning the World State’s citizens to develop infantile-like dependence in ‘Brave New World’? Is this place a more significant burden on the State? Compare with the infantile-like addiction described in ‘Great Expectations.’
Critical thinking of the characters Bernard, Helmholtz, and John from ‘Brave New World’ and Pip from ‘Great Expectations.’ Are they the only ones that seem critical about the lives of society?
In what ways are John from ‘Brave New World’ and Pip from ‘Great Expectations’ conditioned in their own ways? Do these mean they are freer than other characters of the novels?
Differences and similarities between the World State from ‘Brave New World’ and society from ‘Great Expectations.’
The process in ‘Brave New World’ in which the World State assigns castes and specific social functions for its citizens before they are even born. How could the reader compare it with the society described in ‘Great Expectations’?
In what ways does Bernard from ‘Brave New World’ show a problem for the World State for not being infantile enough by regulations? How does it resonate with the motifs of Pip’s character from ‘Great Expectations’?

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Interesting Facts about ‘Great Expectations’ Novel

Here are some interesting facts about the novel that might inspire you while writing:

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Great Expectations

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A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-14

Chapters 15-19

Chapters 20-26

Chapters 27-33

Chapters 34-40

Chapters 41-48

Chapters 49-56

Chapters 57-59

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

How does the phrase “great expectations” change and develop from the beginning to the end of the book? Why do you think Charles Dickens chose this phrase for the book’s title?

Though Great Expectations contains some flawlessly kind, ideal characters (such as Joe and Biddy ) and some simply evil characters (such as Orlick), most of the novel’s characters are morally complex, displaying both their best and worst characteristics. Choose between Pip, Estella , Miss Havisham , Mr. Jaggers , or Abel Magwitch and track that character’s moral progression over the course of the book.

Between Pip’s various “educators” on his path to becoming a gentleman—including Mr. Wopsle, Biddy , Estella , Herbert, and Matthew Pocket—how does Pip’s educational process change over the course of the novel? How does Pip’s idea of a “gentleman” evolve with his teachings?

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Great Expectations Essay Topics

Written by Charles Dickens, one of the world’s most legendary and creative novel writers, Great Expectations is a highly pertinent novel in the modern education system. The novel packs an impressive range of literary features, easy-to-follow plot, and a smooth flow, which makes it quite fun to read. The novel’s themes are quite protuberant, something which makes written essays on this novel easy.

So many things should be factored in when determining the length and areas to cover in your Great Expectations essay. The most common factors include the assignment requirements and your level of education.

Not all Great Expectations essay topics are good enough to attract a good grade. When selecting a topic, you must factor in your grade and course alongside the relevance of the contents sourced from Great Expectations. Look for a fresh and materially effective topic that does not cover the most commonly discussed ideas and areas of the Great Expectations novel.

Working on the same topics and ideas those beyond you discussed in the past may make your readers get bored in between the start and end of the essay. Be specific when writing your essay, ensuring you cover unique stylistic elements, themes, and characters. It would be great you make sure the title’s expectations are outlined vividly in the completed paper.

Qualities and Characteristics That Make Pip the Novel’s Hero?
Has Money Used a Vital Driving Force in Great Expectations?
The Main Themes Covered in the Great Expectations
The Main Plots Covered in the Great Expectations
The Style used by Pip in Drawing Sympathy from Readers in the Great Expectations
What Are Great Expectations Explained in the Great Expectations Novel By Charles Dickens?
How is Pip Manipulated and Misled By Miss Havisham to Think That He is Her Undisclosed Benefactor?
How Does Miss Havisham Benefit from Manipulating and Misleading Pip in the Great Expectations?
How Does Magwitch Live Through Miss Havisham?
A Foreshadow of What Pip Should Have Known Before Miss Havisham Tricked him?
Details of the Characters and Themes Embodied By Miss Havisham
The Main Victims in the Great Expectations By Dickens
Who Learns Through Suffering in the Great Expectations?
Analyzing the Theme of Reality Vs Appearance in the Great Expectations
How is Kindness Toward Others Portrayed in the Great Expectations?
How is Imprisonment Used as a metaphor in the Great Expectations Novel By Dickens?
How Good and Evil are Depicted in the Great Expectations Novel?
What Attracts Pip to Estella in the Great Expectations Novel?
Discuss and Vividly Portray the Effects of Suffering as Portrayed in Great Expectations
The Changing of Stella’s and Pip’s Relationship Throughout the Novel
The Great Expectations Shown by Pip in the Novel
How Does the Use of First-person Narration Make this Story More Interesting?
The Historical Relevance of the Great Expectations When you Read it from the Context of the Society During the year of publication
The Reason, the Bond Between Pip and Joe, Keeps Strengthening Throughout the Novel
How Does the Book Portray the Theme of Betray in Great Expectations?

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Great Expectations Summary, Themes, Plot, and Characters

“Great Expectations” is one of the last novels written by Charles Dickens in 1861. It is also one of his most popular creations and has been frequently staged in theatres and on movie screens. The text was written in Dickens’ “mature” years when the author critiqued the dishonest and lavish life many gentlemen of those times had led. The story has a gripping plot, but it’s rather grey, sad, and doesn’t end happily for most of its characters.

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Dickens has incorporated a lot of his own experiences and sorrows into the “Great Expectations” book. Initially, the writer wanted to end the novel in a tragic way, however, Dickens had always been wary of sad endings—his audience appreciated the happy endings much more than the philosophical misfortunes. That’s why he didn’t dare to end the story on a sad note, even though the whole plot was heading towards a calamity.

About the Author

The prolific Victorian novelist Charles Dickens is renowned for his vivid portrayals of 19th-century London and his insightful exploration of social issues. Born in 1812 in Portsmouth, England, Dickens experienced hardship at an early age when his family faced financial difficulties. This early struggle deeply influenced his writing, fueling his empathy for the plight of the poor and marginalized. Despite his modest beginnings, Dickens became one of the most celebrated authors of his time, captivating readers with his compelling characters and gripping narratives.

Dickens's literary legacy is characterized by his ability to blend realism with satire and keen observation of human nature. His novels, including timeless classics such as "Oliver Twist," "A Tale of Two Cities," and "Great Expectations," continue to resonate with readers worldwide for their vivid depictions of societal injustice, the struggles of the working class, and the triumph of the human spirit.

“Great Expectations” is a complex literature piece and if you are challenged to read it, but still need that essay, read further for plot overview and themes or simply use our essay writer service .

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'Great Expectations' Summary

'Great Expectations' is a story about the life of a simple little boy, who lives through a poor childhood and into a rich adulthood, learning many lessons throughout this process. The book begins with the protagonist introducing himself:

Chapter I “My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip”.

Pip is an honest and simple man, but he doesn’t find a place for himself in society. Even money and the rich gentleman’s life didn’t make him happy. Towards the end of the book, Pip will realize that his expectations and desires misled him and ruined his life: he loved a woman (Estella) who couldn’t return his feelings, and he was grateful to another woman (Miss Havisham) for becoming wealthy when in fact Miss Havisham did nothing for Pip and only encouraged Estella to hurt him even more. But for now, it is all in the distant future as the story is about to unfold.

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Pip is an orphan who is brought up in a dull family that consists of his abusive sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, who “had an exquisite art of making her cleanliness more uncomfortable and unacceptable than dirt itself” (Chapter IV), and her husband, Joe Gargery, the blacksmith. Joe Gargery was a good simple man who treated Pip well:

Chapter II “Joe was a fair man, with curls of flaxen hair on each side of his smooth face, and with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites. He was a mild, good-natured, sweet-tempered, easy-going, foolish, dear fellow…”.

One day, while visiting his parents’ grave, Pip meets an escaped convict and risks his own safety to bring him food and a saw to take off the shackles.

After a while, Pip gets invited to visit the house of Miss Havisham—also referred to as “Satis House” in the book. Miss Havisham is a wealthy and peculiar woman. Ever since some man robbed her and then fled on the day of their supposed marriage, she became lost, dull, and constantly unsatisfied with everything. She continued to wear her wedding dress and preserved everything in her dilapidated home the exact way it had been set up for the planned wedding. Miss Havisham invited Pip to her house because she wanted to find a companion for her foster daughter Estella.

Estella is an orphan brought up by Miss Havisham to despise and loathe all males that come near her: “Break their hearts my pride and hope, break their hearts and have no mercy!” (Chapter XII)—this is one of the most famous quotes from “Great Expectations”. Estella was a beautiful girl brought up to be a lady, but her heart was cold and her morals were wicked. She humiliated Pip from the first time she was asked to play with him: “With this boy? Why, he is a common laboring boy!” (Chapter VIII) and has used every opportunity ever since to demonstrate how much she is better than him.

Pip comes to like Estella, but the more time he spends with her, the more he starts to hate himself – his low status, his simple clothes, his blacksmithing apprenticeship that made his face dirty and his hands coarse (and was paid for by Miss Havisham). From the time he met Estella, for Pip great expectations were to be a gentleman and be admired by this polished girl and her mother. One day Pip finds out that somebody has hit his sister so hard that her brain gets badly damaged. Next to the place where she was attacked, people found broken shackles. Later, another orphan, Biddy, comes to live with Pip to take care of Mrs. Joe. Pip describes Biddy as a very ordinary girl:

Chapter VII “… her hair always wanted brushing, her hands always wanted washing, and her shoes always wanted mending and pulling up at heel”.

One of the most exciting things that happen in the summary of “Great Expectations” is when a well-known attorney from London, Mr. Jaggers, tells Pip that he has inherited a fortune and his life will change forever. Mr. Jaggers is a typical lawyer – he is stubborn, rich, arrogant, and shady. He does not, surprisingly, reveal who the generous person to provide Pip with this fortune is:

Chapter XVIII “... you are to understand, secondly, Mr. Pip, that the name of the person who is your liberal benefactor remains a profound secret, until the person chooses to reveal it”.

Pip, also shocked, does not even want to guess, as he already makes up his mind about the origin of the inheritance:

Chapter XVIII “My dream was out; my wild fancy was surpassed by sober reality; Miss Havisham was going to make my fortune on a grand scale”.

Pip is warned not to try to guess or find out who his benefactor is—such was the condition of acquiring the inheritance.

Pip is happy: he remains convinced that his secret benefactor is Miss Havisham, which he interprets to mean that she is likely preparing him to be a suitable husband for Estella. The boy gets new fancy clothes, people start to treat him differently, he moves to London, where he shares an apartment with Herbert Pocket, Bentley Drummle, and Startop, and he takes classes to become a real gentleman. Pip makes quick progress and is soon able to behave just like other high-class people. While connecting with prestigious British society, Pip grows more and more ashamed of his past. The boy actively tries to avoid Joe when he comes to visit, but when the news of his sister's death comes, Pip visits her funeral and begins to feel sorry for being so distant with Joe and Biddy. Pip continues to spend time with Estella when they are both in London; he loves her, but the only feeling she exhibits towards him is contempt and cruelty. After a while, Estella develops a relationship with Pip’s friend Bentley Drummle (which was more of a relationship with his money and status, to be precise), and they get married.

At the same time, an encounter from the past re-introduces itself – the convict Pip met in the graveyard years ago whose name is Abel Magwitch. It turns out Magwitch was the secret benefactor that made Pip rich – after the incident in the graveyard he had escaped to Australia, made a fortune there, and asked Jaggers to take care of the boy as a sign of gratitude. Magwitch is a complex character who had gotten into trouble because of bad company and then got set up by a cunning companion of his. His character exemplifies how inhumane laws and unjust rules set by a cynic society, lead to the gradual degradation of a man. Magwitch tells Pip that he is being followed by another convict, his ex-partner, Compeyson, who was notorious for many illegal deals:

Chapter XLII “… he’d been to a public boarding-school and had learning. He was a smooth one to talk, and was a dab at the ways of gentlefolks. He was good-looking too”.

By listening to his life story, the reader understands that Magwitch is the real father of Estella (her mother is Mr. Jaggers’ housekeeper), and Compeyson is the man who fooled Miss Havisham so many years ago.

Pip develops a plan to help Magwitch escape the country and Compeyson drowns in the pursuit of trying to catch Magwitch. Magwitch gets hurt and gets caught. He then gets sent to prison where he dies from his wounds. Pip had stopped taking Magwitch’s money some time ago, and now it has all gone to the benefit of the state anyway. Pip has accumulated debt and gets in trouble for being unable to repay it. When Pip’s health declines, Joe comes to take care of him and even pays off his debts. After recovering, Pip joins his friend Herbert, and Herbert’s wife Clara, to work at the Clarriner’s office in Cairo (Egypt)—Pip was the one to secure Herbert a position with the company back when he had money.

After being away for 11 years, Pip comes back and visits Joe. Joe had married Biddy and they had even named their son after Pip:

Chapter LIX “We giv’ him the name of Pip for your sake, dear old chap… and we hoped he might grow a little bit like you, and we think he do”.

Walking around the remains of the Satis House, Pip meets widowed Estella and the two head off to a new start…

Essay Sample on Great Expectations

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Great Expectations Themes and Motives

Social class is a very important determinant of one’s position in the book. Both Estella and Pip were orphans, but the girl was brought up to praise her status and humiliate everybody who didn’t share the same status as her. Estella is a victim of class inequality, she is taught to despise people and even things:

Chapter VII “I played the game to an end with Estella, and she beggared me. She threw the cards down on the table when she had won them all, as if she despised them for having been won of me”.

At the same time, the writer shows how some people were doomed to live and die in lower-class life, they had no chance to make it up the social ladder because others would never accept them:

Chapter IV “In his working-clothes, Joe was a well-knit characteristic-looking blacksmith; in his holiday clothes, he was more like a scarecrow in good circumstances, than anything else”.

Ambition and self-improvement: Charles Dickens makes fun of the shallow ambitions people often have, which is seen in the characters in “Great Expectations” – they are ordinary, and many of them are poor financially and/or emotionally. Pip’s biggest desire is to be a gentleman and he doesn’t appreciate himself because of where he came from:

Chapter VIII “I was a common laboring-boy; that my hands were coarse; that my boots were thick; that I had fallen into a despicable habit of calling knaves Jacks; that I was much more ignorant than I had considered myself last night, and generally that I was in a low-lived bad way”.

The young boy doesn’t strive for real self-improvement, he wants to have the image, the looks, and the respect—all of the superficial things.

Integrity and reputation: Being honest and sincere wasn’t worth much in those times. The characters were doing all the wrong things, but nobody stopped them. For example, Miss Havisham gladly accepts Pip’s gratitude even though she knows she isn’t the benefactor who paid for his lavish life in London. She later admits that she pretended to be the one who gave Pip money just to irritate her family.

Parents in the book are nothing more than empty vessels – they are absent from the lives of most characters, and those who assume parental duties do not perform them well. For example: “My sister… had established a great reputation with herself and the neighbors because she had brought me up “by hand” (Chapter II). Parents were supposed to put Pip in school, teach him to respect himself, and value others, but nobody was there to take care of him. Taking into account that Dickens wrote many children’s stories, you would assume that in “Great Expectations”, the author would try to discover the roots and causes of many childhood miseries and broken kids’ lives.

Justice is not evident, but an important theme in this book. What is “Great Expectations about? – It’s simply about getting what one deserves. The plot is unfair, that’s true. But the characters’ wishes and actions are also quite shallow and unjust. In the end, each of them has the opportunity to turn their life around, but choose to behave the way society expects them to.

Generosity : Pip didn’t experience much kindness or generosity in his life. The only person who treated him with respect was his sister’s husband Joe Gargery, whom he later starts to avoid once Pip becomes a gentleman. Magwitch makes Pip a gentleman to repay the “generosity” the boy demonstrated out of mere fear for his life; and Pip doesn't even appreciate Magwitch’s generosity. The boy really enjoyed the thought that Miss Havisham believed in him and sponsored him to become a gentleman. So when the young man finds out that she hadn’t actually invested in his education, and thus didn’t plan for Estella to marry him, Pip panics:

Chapter XXXIX “Miss Havisham’s intentions towards me, all a mere dream; Estella not designed for me; I only suffered in Satis House as a convenience, a sting for the greedy relations, a model with a mechanical heart to practise on when no other practice was at hand”.

His whole world becomes broken, he feels humiliated, and decides to flee abroad.

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Three Most Important Aspects of Great Expectations

'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens encompasses several significant themes contributing to its enduring popularity and critical acclaim.

Character Development

Dickens excels at creating complex and memorable characters, and "Great Expectations" is no exception. The protagonist, Pip, undergoes profound personal growth throughout the novel as he navigates the challenges of social class, identity, and morality. Other characters, such as the enigmatic Miss Havisham, the convict Magwitch, and the manipulative Estella, are equally compelling and contribute to the richness of the narrative. Dickens explores themes of ambition, guilt, redemption, and the transformative power of love through intricate character arcs and interactions.

Social Critique

Like many of Dickens's works, "Great Expectations" critiques Victorian society, particularly its rigid class structure and moral hypocrisy. Through vivid descriptions of London's bustling streets, decaying mansions, and rural marshes, Dickens exposes the disparities between the wealthy elite and the impoverished underclass. The novel examines how social status influences individuals' lives and relationships, highlighting the injustices and inequalities inherent in society. By confronting issues of wealth, privilege, and social mobility, Dickens challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of their actions and the importance of empathy and compassion.

Narrative Technique

"Great Expectations" showcases Dickens's mastery of narrative technique with its intricate plot, suspenseful pacing, and richly detailed settings. The novel employs first-person narration, allowing readers to experience events through Pip's perspective and providing insight into his thoughts and emotions. Dickens employs foreshadowing, symbolism, and dramatic irony to engage readers and propel the story forward. The novel's structure, with its series of interconnected episodes and unexpected plot twists, keeps readers captivated until the final revelation. Through skillful storytelling, Dickens crafts a timeless tale that resonates with readers of all ages and continues to be studied and admired for its literary merit.

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What Is the Main Point of Great Expectations?

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Great Expectations Essay Examples

Charles dickens’ "great expectations": unimportance of social class.

The novel “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens, portrays the life of a young boy named Phillip Pirrip, or “Pip”. From birth, Pip is born into a lower class and goes under the care of his only living sibling, Mrs. Joe Gargery and her blacksmith Husband,...

The Struggles of Redemption in Charles Dickens’ "Great Expectations"

In the novel Great Expectations written by Charles Dickens, the struggles of redemption people face are well demonstrated through the characters Pip, Magwitch, and Ms. Havisham. Eventually Pip comes to understand the error of his ways and realizes that happiness does not come through wealth...

Guilt and Shame in Charles Dickens’ "Great Expectations"

The aim of this essay is to look into the ways of how guilt and shame are depicted in Dickens’ Great Expectations. Pip, the main character, is an orphan, a lonely boy who is unhappy with his life and, most of all, with his social...

Literary Analysis of Great Expectations

Throughout this paper, an analysis of the plot, characters, and themes will shed light on Pip’s personal improvements and setbacks. In this novel, Pip, who is the main character, is raised by his sister and brother-in-law and is considered to be low class and not...

"Great Expectations": the Importance Characters Influencing Pip

Throughout the book Great Expectations, Charles Dickens incorporates many different individuals who offer a sense of enlightenment and guidance to Pip. Guardians like Joe, Biddy, and Jaggers influence and shape Pip during his hardships and difficulties. Joe appears to be a very influential individual in...

Symbol of Moral Self-improvement: Charles Dickens’ "Great Expectations"

Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ is a bildungsroman novel narrated by Pip who is an orphan. Dickens’ characterization of Pip sets him out as an idealist who hopes and works for self-improvement. This serves as the catalyst for Pip’s progression from the innocence of childhood in...

"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens: Gentleman in the Victorian Era

The aim of this essay is to analyze what being a gentleman really meant in the Victorian era. In order to achieve this I will have as a start point the image of the gentleman in the novel „Great Expectations”. On the following, I will...

"Great Expectations": Contributions Helping Pip to Become a Gentleman

In the novel “Great Expectation” by Charles Dickens, the main character Pip grows and develops into a young gentleman, who learns many valuable life lessons about himself. Along his path of development, Pip’s knowledge and growth are influenced by his friends and family who act...

"Great Expectations": the Dichotomy of Good and Evil in the Book

There are many ways that Dickens displays the themes of good versus evil in Great Expectations. This essay will provide the examples how he portrays them continuously throughout the book through characters, actions, and thoughts. In the beginning of the book, Pip has a general...

Miss Havisham as Pip's Shame

The aim of this essay is to discuss the shame that Philip Pirrip, also known as Pip, has experienced through the novel. Pip is an orphan character, who is brought up by his selfish sister and his sister’s blacksmith husband, Joe. He was abused by...

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About Great Expectations

Charles Dickens

Novel, Bildungsroman

United Kingdom

The book includes three "stages" of Pip's expectations and tells the story of a young boy who grows up and learns many valuable life lessons about himself and others.

Ambition and Self-Improvement, Expectations (affection, loyalty, and conscience are more important than social advancement, wealth, and class), Social Class, Crime, Guilt, and Innocence, Sophistication, Education, Family.

Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham, Abel Magwitch (“The Convict”), Joe Gargery, Jaggers, Herbert Pocket, Wemmick, Biddy, Dolge Orlick, Mrs. Joe, Uncle Pumblechook, Compeyson, Bentley Drummle, Molly, Mr. Wopsle, Mr. Wopsle, Miss Skiffins

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