Photo Post

Throughout the novel, Great Expectations, there seems to be a common theme of love as well as broken hearts. These pictures that I have posted will help aid the concept of love; the good and the bad that aspects that are intertwined through the book. As we read the novel we see a deeper emotion for love being created by the author. To begin with, Estella and Pip's relationship has the idea of being betrayed is all around. Their mutual friend is Miss Havisham, who wants their relationship to never be emotionally satisfying. As we look into Joe and Mrs. Joe's relationship the essense of love is shown but, is somewhat put aside by the other interations and events happening in the novel. The true nature of their relationship is shown when Mrs. Joe dies. Its sad that the reader only sees the love they had when its gone. This ultimately leaves Joe heartbroken. Charles Dickens' book also has relationships that aren't only about sadness and the loss of love but, of true endearment. It is seen in Wemmick and Miss Skiffins' relationship also Herbert and Clara's. Their affection is shown by the fact that they don't come from money nor is their relationship based on gaining social status. But what do all theses things do to define the concept of love and how does love give a better understanding of the book? When we take into consideration the pictures and how one expresses love and how the other expresses the loss of love, it paints a picture of what we all really want. Love.

           

Making Connections

Charles Dickens' book has the central idea of not letting obstacles,wise or foolish, get in your way of your dreams and pursuits. This novel is Dickens outlook on his life, opinion, experiences as well as expectation all wrapped up into one. The connection I made between Great Expectations and 21 seemed obvious to me. One, because the guy in the center, Ben Campbell, is what I picture Pip as. And two, he looses his head in the idea of earning, really cheating money out of the hands of casinos, much like Pip does (except minus the casinos).

The movie starts off with us being introduced to the character, with a very humble background, trying to pursue his dream of graduating from MIT and later attending Harvard Medical School. The correlation between 21 and Great Expectations is that:
 

Ben - Pip

Harvard Medical School - Estella

Mother - Joe

Professor Micky - Mrs. Havisham, (at times Jagger)

Miles& Cam - Biddy

Kate - Herbert

As Pip grows in the book, we see that he is little by little detaching from his family. He gets caught up in the idea of attaining social status and becoming a gentlemen. We see Pip loosing himself and becoming a man full greed and selfishness.Much like Ben does in 21. He also gets caught up in the game of 21. Counting cards, behaving badly in order to get the money. His intention start out pure. Earning money to pay for Medical School, saving his single mother from working hard to pay only a small fraction of the tuition. Pip, only wanted the gentlemen title in attempts to win Estella andgainthe respect that he never recieved while leaving with Gargerys, but he lost his focus and used his power for selfish things.

The writer of both 21 and Great Expectations had one main purpose to show how easy it is  to caught up with the sensation of wining and gaining. In the end both characters are looking for something to fill the emptiness, which coincidentally has to do with the absence of parents. In, 21 he ended up happy because he learned his mistake, I'm hoping that will happen with Pip in Great Expectations.

The Second Stage of Great Expectations

As the book progresses into the second stage, I feel the novel is now becoming boring and drags on. I don't like Pip anymore, I hate everything he's done to the only people that love him, and really don't like Pip. Pip has become the kind of person who is obsessed with gaining social status. Self- absorbed, only impressed by the people who are something. The characters that are being introduced are people who mean "something" to society. Jaggers, the best attorney in London, The Pocket family, which includes Mr. Pocket, Pip's tutor, and Herbert, Pip's friend. Together these new characters are here to aid Pip is his social advancements. Then again, others just might have hidden motives. Herbert, has become a confidant to Pip. One, real friend Pip has made on his own. Herbert isn't of very high society but, has etiquette and poise which Pips seeks after. At dinner Herbert, while explaining the story of Miss. Havisham's behavior and attributes, shows Pip the appropriate way of behaving when in society. Herbert, unknowingly, gives pointers to Pip about holding his wine glass and dealing with a dinner napkin. Herbert's actions and suggestions are teaching Pip by example what it is to be of London society.


Doubles and contrasts is a huge aspect of the novel. I think these doubles and contrasts; Biddy and Estella; Joe and Herbert; Mrs. Joe and Joe: Mr. and Mrs. Pocket are all representing the options that Pip has to take. The paths or journeys that he has to chose between. Each decision that Pip has made has impacted his life, his journey to becoming a gentlemen. Meeting Herbert has enhanced theme of personal growth because Pip is using Herbert develop himself futher into society. This doesn't necesiarily mean that this has changed Pip for the better, but it certainly has changed him. Ever since Pip was introduced to the upper class, he has envied them and secretly wants what they have. He even confides in Biddy, a childhood friend, his dreams of becoming a gentleman. And, he finally now has that opportunity to do so.

A Turning Point for Pip

In the last line of chapter nine, I didnt think of it as Pip speaking to me but, Charles Dickens. I felt as if Dickens was sending a message to his readers through his book. The message that whether circumstances are good or bad, they confine you in and don't allow you to grow. I think the day Pip encountered Mrs. Havisham dramatically change Pip's life. It was the turning point in which he realized that society means something. It gives you the authority, that he wants. The authority he never could take advantage of before.


In the beginning of the novel, the character, Pip is juvenile, and naive about the surroundings of the word. He's begin raised in a household with out much. Pip didn't know about what went on just miles outside his own town, he was stuck in his own world. A world which is far better then the one he was recently introduced to. The presence of High society to Pip has evolved his own way of thinking. Its given him false hopes of things he never would have never thought twice about. Pip, in my opinion has lost himself. And I'm assuming that it will be very hard for him to find that Pip, later in life. The worst part of it all is "playing" with Mrs. Havisham was forced on him. 


As Pip ages through the book you see how unhappy Pip now is. While he is working as an apprentice to Joe, his attitude has taken an 180 degree turn. The world that Pip has be acquainted with has a many negative effects of Pip, as well as those around him. Joe is being affected by this, because his apprentice doesn't want to be there, therefore not putting in all the necessary effort. Overall, I feel Pip's attitude is plain bitter. 


When I look back on it, the time when everything changed was the period during Barrack Obama's campaign and election. Its the time when I really began looking into US history, discussing issues that had meaning to me, and issues for people who had no voice. Also, it provoked many ideas about the future of the United States and my own personal goals that I have for myself. As I finished up the chapter it occurred to me while reading this that now Pip is confined to his low social status. The title of the book, finally makes sense. Pip's great expectations for himself in society. Its becoming so clear now!!!