Great Expectations Meaning

"Great Expectations" Title

Topic J

By Kenner Bartos

The title of the book "Great Expectations" had a significant meaning. Pip always expects amazing things and has all his life. When Pip was a peasant boy living with Joe and Mrs. Joe, he expected more in his life. When his uncle Pumblechook got him into the Satis house, Pip expected he would learn to become a gentleman. In reality, the Satis house did not meet these expectations. When Pip later moved to London, it did not meet his expectations either. He called it "The first disappointment of his great expectations". He expected London to be a marvelous city, but in reality it was crowded and dirty. When Pip turned 21, he expected to learn who his secret benefactor was, but Jaggers would not tell him. This was another let down since he had such high expectations. Pip had "Great expectations" for his live, but things did not go as planned. The title of the book gives a main idea of Pip's experiences in Joe's house, in the Satis house, and in London.

Hand in Hand

Hand in Hand

~Blog Post 5~

Topic A

April 15, 2015

by Luke Edwards

            "I took her hand in mine...I saw no shadow of another parting from her," (865).  Pip and Estella's relationship throughout the novel is an emotional roller coaster for Pip.  He falls in love, and she repeatedly denies him after leading him on.  She is rude and treats him poorly as children, but as they grow older, their relationship starts to change.  When Pip becomes a gentleman, he finally thinks he has a chance with her, and he believes they are destined for one another.  She allows him to follow her around, and is slightly less rude, but she never takes him seriously. He has to watch her court other suitors, with the same cruel tactics she once used on him.  Eventually, she marries Drummle, who is basically Pip's rival.  He learns many years, after supposedly getting over her, that her relationship was sad and abusive and they had divorced.  When they coincidentally meet in the gardens of the Satis House, they can't help but yell each others names.  They talked, and Estella told Pip that she had changed, and asked for his forgiveness.  "I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape," (865). Her suffering and struggles change Estella.  She is not the cruel young girl who's sole purpose is to break the hearts of men.  She and Pip can finally be in love, because she is not holding back.  They take each other's hands, and this time Pip, will not let go.  He loves Estella, and has loved her for so long that this is his chance.  He knows that he will love her forever, and never let her go. 

Truly Great Expectations

Truly Great Expectations

~Blog Post #5~

Topic J

May 15 2015

By: Brian Arata

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is a very accurate title for this novel. In the book, there are high expectations in different ways for different characters. First, there are great expectations for Pip to become a young gentleman and become a part of society. In his young life, Pip lived a life of poverty in his hometown. He was in the lower social class of England, and he was very ashamed of it. He looks “at (his) coarse hands and (his) common boots” and he is extremely upset at where he stands in society (66). Pip is expected to break out of his place in society when he receives his mysterious fortune. His family, especially his uncle Pumblechook, expects him to get a good education, learn proper manners, and get a job in the city of London. Even though this is tough for Pip at first, Pip exceeds these expectations. He is educated by Jaggers, and eventually becomes Jaggers apprentice. There is another example of great expectations in the novel. Estella has great expectations for Pip to be a proper suitor. Throughout the novel, Pip is consistently trying to court Estella. However, Estella constantly puts Pip down because she deems him not good enough for her. Pip “loves her because (he) finds her irresistible,” but she does not feel the same way (247). Even though conflicts arise, Pip’s love for Estella is endless and continuous. He does not meet her expectations until later in his life, but Dickens gives readers the happy ending that Pip wanted. The title of Great Expectations is a great prelude and preview of what will happen throughout the novel. It reveals themes, relationships between characters, and how characters grow and change throughout the book.

Pip's Profession of Love

Pip's Profession of Love

~Blog Post #4~

Topic A

8 May 2015

By: Brian Arata

Dickens has clearly let his readers know that Pip loves Estella. Everyone, including Estella, knows this; however, Pip has never told her before. Finally, in chapter 44 of Great Expectations, Pip tells Estella "I know. I have no hope that I shall ever call you mine Estella... Still, I love you. I gab loved you ever since I first saw you in this (Satis) house" (383). This profession of love by Pip shows the full development of the relationship between him and Estella. In this quote, Pip talks about the beginning of their relationship. At first, it is a struggle for him. He doesn't know how to read, he isn't educated at all, and he lives in the slums of his hometown Kent. He has no manners, and he is certainly not fit to be with Estella, yet, he still falls in love with her. From the very beginning of their relationship at the Satis house, Pip changes dramatically. He obviously comes upon an unexpected fortune, which completely turns his life around. He is sent to London to be educated and learn how to be a part of society. While he is in London, he has one encounter with Estella, marking a midpoint in their relationship. At this point, Pip has clearly changed from the last time Estella saw him. He now has manners, money, a job, and an education. Pip feels that he is finally ready to be a proper suitor for Estella; however, Estella does not feel the same way. Even though Pip has made significant progress, Estella is still clearly not ready to date him, and she tells him this. Even though Pip is discouraged, he does not give up. This leads to this quote, the final step in the relationship. Pip comes full-circle and professes his love for Estella. He is confident with his new manners an education, and he thinks that he can get her now. Estella does not feel the same way. She never wanted to date Pip, and now she lets him know that. Although this is a tough part of Pip’s relationship with Estella, the relationship is a symbol of Pip’s change throughout the entire novel.

Estella's Orders Against Her Mother's Wishes

Estella’s Orders against Her Mother's Wishes

~Blog Post #3~

Topic C

1 May 2015

By: Brian Arata

            Throughout this section of the novel, Pip has the constant notion that Estella not only wants to marry him, but that Ms. Havisham wants them to be wed. In this section, the relationship between Estella and Pip turns from lies to the truth. Before, Pip recognizes that Estella thinks of him as a poor boy that she could never respect. Pip knows that she doesn’t really like him, but he keeps hoping that Ms. Havisham means for them to marry. In this section, Pip begins to sense a change in Estella’s attitude. Pip notices that “her manner was more winning than she had cared to let it be to me before” (281). Even though she is still outwardly rude towards Pip, there are multiple signs that she is developing feelings for the growing Pip. One of the most obvious signs is Estella’s rebellious and ignorant attitude towards Ms. Havisham. Even though Ms. Havisham controls Estella’s money, she will not submit to every one of her wishes. Pip knows that Ms. Havisham does not want Estella to marry him; however, he also leans that Estella does not always obey her mother’s commands. Estella is learning to become a young and independent woman, which, for Pip, could mean that she finally sees the charming young man he has become. If Estella does not listen to Ms. Havisham’s advise, she will start to make her own decisions for herself, and one of those decisions might be to marry Pip. Even though she does not change her attitude towards him, the relationship between Estella and Pip could be taking a very positive turn for Pip since Estella is beginning to become more independent. She is ignoring the suitors of her mother’s choice, and she might choose the young, polite, and charming Pip against her mother’s wishes.