Questions-Rabia Afzaal

 

·         Why was Mrs. Havisham wearing a dirty wedding dress? What did that symbolize?

·         Why did pip decide to make the decision of helping the prisoner?

·         Why did Pip want to go home when he went to Mrs. Havishman’s house?

·         Did pip like estella when he first met her? What was her first impression?

·         Did estella like Pip when she first met pip? What was her impression?

Most Memorable Moment

 

            The most important moment in my section was when the main character, Pip meets a prisoner while he was visiting his parent’s grave. Pip is an orphan who lives in the marsh country along the river, twenty miles from the sea. He lives with his mean sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, and with her loving husband, Joe Gargery. Pip’s parents died before he was old enough to have memories. So he likes to visit them in the graveyard with their gravestones. One day while he was visiting them, he comes across this young prisoner who has escaped from a nearby prison. The dirty young man grabs Pip by the throat and threatens him. The man demands pip to bring him some food and a file. That evening, Pip comes home and steals pork pie and his dinner which was bread and takes a file from Joe.

            The next morning, Pip goes and visits the prisoner to give him what he had asked for. First he sees another prisoner and thinks it’s the one who threatened him but he was wrong. After a little search, he found him and gives him the food and the file. The prisoner was shocked because he didn’t really expect Pip to come and give him what he needed to survive. Pip then leaves feeling guilty and expecting police at his door step because he believes what he had done was wrong. He stole from his sister and didn’t tell his best friend Joe about anything that happened.

            This was important in my section because first he helped a prisoner who had escaped and also felt guilty because he did not inform his best friend, Joe. He felt that Joe would hate him and how he has lost his trust for him. Joe was Pip’s best friend after he was adopted and his parent’s death. He felt like he could share anything with him and Joe was the only one that could understand him. Joe was known for his kindness and was a very loving person. After Joe told Pip that he insisted Pip’s sister to adopt him and take care of him, he was in tears. This brought his closer to Joe because he actually thought someone loved him and actually cared about him. 

 

                                                                                                            Rabia Afzaal

Response to question

by: Karla Gomez

Re-read Pip’s speech to Biddy and Joe (483- 484). What does he say? Why is his speech significant?

    Throughout most of the novel, Biddy represents the opposite of Estella; she is plain, kind, moral, and of Pip’s own social class., but their relationship goes nowhere as Pip love for estella is still alive so she marries Joe.he begs Joe and Biddy to forgive him all his ungrateful behaviour and begs them both that in future when they have a son of their own they should not tell their son how thankless and ungenerous he has been. Both Joe and Biddly of course refuse to do just that. “But I must say more. Dear Joe, I hope you will have children to love, and that some little fellow will sit in this chimney corner of a winter night, who may remind you of another little fellow gone out of it for ever. Don't tell him, Joe, that I was thankless; don't tell him, Biddy.”Pip has decided to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life consequent to his failure of his 'expectations' in getting married either to Estella or Biddy and he begs Biddy to allow him to adopt their son Pip. Biddy refuses saying that he must get married and have children of his own.

First Impression

by: Karla Gomez

      The novel’s first 20 pages of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens ,talks about a young child named Philip Pirrip but as he was unable to pounce it as a child he called him self “Pip” , who is an orphan living in the country with his sister, whom Pip calls Mrs. Joe. This show a hard relationship with her, almost like a teacher and student relationship in the other hand there’s Mrs. Joe’s  husband Joe Gargery who is kind to pip. The novel tell us about one night  that Pip gets in trouble with Mrs. Joe he runs into a scary commentary where he meets a convict and has a weird relationship with where sometimes he is friendly and sometimes he is dangerous.
My impression of Great Expectations so far is that the book relates about human society and relationship with others and the difficulty when you are not able to carry your self such as a child but no one also does , at least not properly and it aslo foreshadows that the book might be about money and reaching society expectations of power and wealth , where feelings take a smaller place.

Most Memorable Moment

by : Karla Gomez.

       Pip now twenty three, has completed his time with Mr. Pocket learning how to be a gentlemen, and now lives with Herbert in a flat at the Temple, a building near the Thames mostly occupied by lawyers and law students. He is unable to stick with anything except reading, and is restless and uncertain about his future and his given wealth. Herbert, Pip’s best friend goes away on business.
The weather has been wretched, cold, and stormy and on one particularly miserable night, a stranger arrives at Pip's home. The stranger knows Pip's name and is happy to see him. Pip is at first afraid of the stranger, then repulsed when he recognizes the man is his convict from years ago. The convict is pleased to see how well Pip has grown and thrilled to see he is such a gentleman. In the course of their conversation, the convict reveals that he is the source of Pip's expectations, his way of rewarding Pip for helping him on the marshes. He wanted to make Pip a gentleman who could live an easy, upper-class life. Pip is revolted and depressed.
He realizes now that Miss Havisham is not his benefactor, Estella the girl of his dreams, can never be his and worst of all, he has deserted Joe for the money of a convict. He is also fearful because the convict came back to England to see Pip and will be hanged if he's caught.
This is the most important moment in my section the novel in my opinion, because it is the time when everything Pip knew, and thought it was real turned to be totally different and unexpected, and he had to face this hard situation by himself and had no one to help him understand what was happening, with no best friend or his teacher Mr. Pocket to help, and he even has trouble with his only real family member Joe, the only loving character he had growing up.
I can relate to his situation by when i started high school, i had made my expectations to big, and when i started i was kind of disappointed since it didn’t look as great as it looks on TV, and i have to go through with my work by myself , i don’t have my teachers to help me with everything , like they did in elementary school and i get less help from my mom, since she doesn’t remember most of what she learned in high school.
I think this part of Pip’s life is important, because it’s the most relatable with the novels title, having “Great Expectations”.

Character Analysis

by : Karla Gomez

The 3 most influential characters in my section are: Pip, Herbert & Estella.

Pip:

1Q; what does Herbert friendship means to you?

A: I appreciate Herbert’s friendship, because we treat each other like brothers and understand what we are going through and try to help each other; I have someone to tell my secrets to, “My dear Herbert, I have something very particular to tell you.”pg.220, and sees ways to understand and help me, “Oh! She is thousands of miles away, from me,” pg. 221, and he keeps me hopeful of my dreams.

2Q: What are your hopes with Estella?

A: I’ve loved her since the first time I saw her, but she seems of no interest, hopefully now with my studies and new fortune we might end up in marriage, and approved by Miss Havisham, her mother.

3Q: What is something you look forward to now being an adult?

A: Now that i am 21 and adult, I look forward receiving the regular income from my fortune, and I find a great sense of excitement to find who might be my mysterious benefactor. And maybe help my friend Herbert’s way into merchant business.

4Q: what are some of your motives?

A: I would like to be a rich gentlemen who is worthy of Estella and is able to lean and teach others, “Say you’ll help me be good then”pg.263, always trying to get better and thank others for helping me, “I thank you ten thousand times”pg.263.

5Q: What was something that might not be something you are proud of from your past?

A: I might had made some mistakes and not behaved my best, once a blacksmith, a poor uneducated boy. But I look forward getting better and being successful.

6Q: What do you think is holding in the future?

A: Now that i know that the convict i helped back in my childhood is actually the man responsible for my fortune i now realize my marriage with Estella is not meant to be and now i worry for what i thought to be so true could be so wrong.

Herbert:

1Q: Describe your friendship with Pip.

A: My friendship with pip is more than a brotherly one, we support each other and I help him realize he is not longer the little blacksmith he once was, “a good fellow, with impetuosity and hesitation, boldness and diffidence, action and dreaming, curiously mixed in him”pg.221.

2Q: How strong is your friendship with Pip?

A: Our relationship is very strong; I am able to recognize his feelings without even asking him or knowing the situation, “Told me! You have never told me when you have got your hair cut, but I have had senses to perceive it.-”pg.220

3Q:What are some of your hopes ?

A: I hope I can get my way into merchant business and earning enough money  I may marry Clara Barley.

4Q: What do you do the most?

A: I give a lot of advice and help Pip get his thoughts together so he can make a wise thought trough decisions and question him when he is not sure, “you feel convinced that you can take no further benefits from him : do you ?” pg 307.

5Q: What is more important, money or education?

A: Education is way more important, money has al limit but knowledge doesn’t, having an education can help you get a job and produce and multiply any kind of money that is given to you.

6Q: What is one characteristic that can describe you the best?

A: I am realistic, as a lot of people i have hope and dreams but I try to keep them down to earth and knowing that they are things i could success at with hard work.

Estella:

1Q: What is your relationship with Pip?

A: He is just another admirer, trying to fight for my love , but even though he now has money and somewhat of an education I know he still a low life boy that my mother Miss Havisham , would never accept.

2Q: What is your relationship with Miss Havisham?

A: My mother is my role model, “I who have sat on this same hearth on the little stool that is even now beside you there, learning your lessons and looking up into your face, when your face was strange and frightened me!” pg271.She’s all I’ve ever known and i follow her teachings.

3Q: What is one characteristic that represents you the best?

A: I am stubborn to anyone who is not my mother, I talk what I think or at least know is true and try to not take advice from people, mostly Pip. My answers are cold and short “Well!”Pg.276 and I try to keep my feelings as less noticeable as I can.

4Q : What was your life before you were adopted by Miss Havisham?

A: i was daughter of a magwitch, the coarse convict; therefore i was part of the very lowest level of society. The magwitch was a noble man, when raised by Miss Havisham i was forced to destroy my ability to express emotion.

5Q: What is the effect on your life for the lack of emotion.

A: i make poor life decisions and don’t think trough how my actions may affect me in the future or affect anyone around me , i try to make my mother proud and show her i learned well.

6Q: What do you predict may happen?

A: i think Pip will be happy without me and will find someone who loves him as he much loves me , it is better that way for his own sake and my reputation. He will be a successful man and i hope we might meet in the future.

Questioning and Critical Thinking

by: Natasha Thasan

1.  Re-read Pip’s speech to Biddy and Joe (483- 484). What does he say? Why is his speech significant?
2. What advice does Biddy give to Pip after returning 11 years later? Do you think she is looking out for Pip’s best interest?
3. Do you believe Miss Havisham when she told Pip that raising Estella “meant to save her from misery liker her own”? Why or Why not
4. Explain Magwitch’s belief that life is a river. Do you think the metaphor is appropriate (chapter 54)?
5. Why did Miss Havisham dress catch on fire? Do you think the author want the readers to believe it was an accident (chapter 49)?

Work Cited

Dickens, Charles. The Great Expectations. London: Sovereign 1860. Print

First Impression

by: Natasha Thasan

     The first twenty pages of Great Expectations written by Charles Dickens introduce Pip, both the narrator and protagonist, and tone. The novel is his story, which is told in his words and perception. Also, the narration is done by Pip when he is older, but a quick glimpse into his childhood is given in the first few pages. In this first section, Pip is a young child, standing in a graveyard observing his parents and siblings tombstones. Moments later, he becomes a horrified young child being physically and verbally attacked by an escaped convict. However, despite his horror, he treats the convict with manners, kindness, and compassion. For instance, Pip could have easily ran to Joe Gargary, his uncle or to the police for help. Rather, Pip honors his promise to the convict, a suffering man by stealing the food and the file from his home.  Also, when he learns that the police are searching for him, he even worries for the convict’s safety and wellness. Despite his many admirable qualities which are conscience, kindness, compassion, and  loyalty, Pip constantly focuses on his failures and weaknesses; dishonesty and his guilt. On the other hand, I have observed that Dickens used setting to portray a dramatic atmosphere. The setting of the book sets a tone for actions Pip’s add force to in situation. For example, when the weather is stormy and dark, trouble is usually brewing. This can be proved when Pip is at the cemetery and randomly is harassed by the escaped convict. The quote exemplifies this notion, “He tilted me again. “You bring ‘em both to me.” He tilted me again, “or I’ll have your heart and liver out.” He tilted me again” (Dickens 4). Pip is being threaten and shown aggression physically by the convict. Another example, Pip goes alone into the misty marsh, danger is anticipated. “So I went forward softly and touched him on the shoulder. He instantly jumped up, and it was not the same man, but another man” (14). The quote exemplifies how Pip ran into the wrong person and what trouble that was about to rise; a swing at the face. Overall, throughout the little I’ve read, I have enjoyed this book, Great Expectations. Also, I look forward in reading the rest of the book and even watching the movie. 

Work Cited

Dickens, Charles. The Great Expectations. London: Sovereign 1860. Print

Most Memorable Moment

by: Natasha Thasan

          After having dinner at Mr. Jaggers, Pip visits Miss Havisham. She greets him with a sincere guilt for being the main cause of Estella breaking his heart.  She sobs and even clings to Pip’s feet, pleading him to forgive her. This quote exemplifies this notion, “What have I done! What have I done” (Dickens 458). Pip acts kind towards her rather than showing anger or rage. After accepting her apologies, he goes for walk in the garden. While walking, he has gruesome fantasy that Miss Havisham is hanging from a beam in the brewery. As he takes a glance at her from the window, he sees her bend over into the fireplace and burn up in flame.  He rushes in to save her from being burnt alive.  Though her injuries were severe, Miss Havisham lives, but the incident leaves her bedridden. Also, she continues to plead for forgiveness. On the other hand, Pip is severely burnt from trying to save her. Also, he accompanies her after the doctors have departed, but leaves her in the care of her servants and returns to London. Moreover, Ms. Havisham’s dreadful experience does not dissolve her guilt or end her plead for forgiveness from Pip. 

          This moment found within the novel is most memorable towards me, because it highlights the respectable character of Pip that I portray and respect. For instance, though Miss Havisham has caused pain to Pip, he looks past it and remains kind towards her, but their relationship has surely changed. In a personal perception, I’ve dealt with people who have been the cause of a trouble I faced.  In the moment, these people who have caused pain, may felt no shame or guilt for the wound they have bestowed upon me. However, after awhile, some may feel a sense of guilt, but the others could care less. Whether these people decided to forgive me or not, I continued to be kind, pardoning, and been their support when they needed it. Moreover, I choose theses values over being hateful and vengeful because it makes me no better than them. Also, our relationship has definitely changed due to the hurt that they have caused, and the effort put into friendship has significantly decreased. Just like Pip, I believe in second chances, but if the same mistakes are repeated numerous times, clearly the opposing party could care less about rebuilding a relationship. Also, comparison to Pip, these troublesome incidents and feelings are caused by people I’ve given trust to and known for several years. Thus, this is the most memorable moment because I can relate it to my personal life and it shows honorable values that I advocate.

Work Cited

Dickens, Charles. The Great Expectations. London: Sovereign 1860. Print

Character Analysis

by Natasha Thasan

Phillip Pirrip (Pip)

         Phillip Pirrip, better known as Pip is by far the most important character in Great Expectations. Pip is narrating his story several years after the events of the novel take place. Pips presents himself in two conducts in this novel; being both the protagonist, whose actions construct the plot of the novel, and the narrator, whose thoughts and actions shape the reader’s perception of his story. Moreover, Pip, the narrator, judges his own past actions rather harshly. He rarely gives himself credit for his good deeds, but rather criticizes himself for the bad ones. This can be quoted in the book when Pip says, “I ought to tell him the whole truth. Yet I did not, and for the reason that I mistrusted that if I did, he would think me worse than I was” (410). This quote highlights Pip’s character which shows guilt and low self-esteem. To add on, Pip sees himself as a dishonorable person which is seen when he says “he would think me worse that I was” (410). On the other hand, Pip has a desire to improve himself in aspects of education, moral, or socially. For instance, when Miss Havisham pleads in tears for forgiveness from Pip for having caused Estella to break his heart, Pip kindly forgives her which he would not normally do. To quote, “I want forgiveness and direction far too much, to be bitter with you” (Dickens 459). This quotation exemplifies Pip’s respectable, moral behavior by his ability to looking past Miss Havisham faults and forgive her, rather than obtain a grudge upon her. Furthermore, when Pip comforts the dying Magwitch, he realizes that one’s social position is not the most important quality one possesses. This quote highlights this notion, ““You had a child once, whom you loved and lost.”A stronger pressure on my hand. “She lived and found cherishable friends. She is living now. She is a lady and very beautiful.” (489). Pip reassures the dying Magwitch about his daughter, Estella, as well as expresses his new perspective of defining others. Additionally, Pip beings to understand that being a part of a hierarchy of social class is an insufficient guide to character, but qualities of love, loyalty, love, and kindness are far more important.

Miss Havisham        

         The wealthy Miss Havisham, who lives in an old mansion, seems to be vengeful due to a dreadful past she experienced. Miss Havisham’s life is defined by a single tragic event, her fiancé, Compeyson walking out on her on what would have been their wedding day. From that moment, Miss Havisham is determines to never move forward from her tragic heartbreak.  Moreover, she expresses her grief by wearing her wedding dress every day of her life, as well as stops all the clocks in her home at twenty minutes to nine, the moment when she first learned that Compeyson was gone. Also, she wears only one shoe because when learning of his betrayal, she had not yet had the chance of putting on the other shoe. She is holding the past with extreme grip which is clearly shown in the novel when Pip observes her. “everything within my view which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its luster and faded and yellow. I saw that the bride within the bridal dress had withered like the dress” (397). This quote shows how Miss Havisham incessantly is holding the past, though it has been long period after the tragic event. Later, she adopts Estella and raises her as a weapon to achieve her own revenge on men, specifically, Compeyson. Both Miss Havisham and the people in her life suffer greatly because of her eager quest for revenge, especially Estella and Pip.  However, she comes to a point where she realizes that she has only caused more pain, rather than achieving any sort of personal revenge. Due to this she feels guilty for the trouble she caused and begs Pip for forgiveness.  “‘O!’ she cried, despairingly. “ What have I done! What have I done!” (475) exemplifies this notion. Miss Havisham feels guilty of the trouble she has placed on Pip realizes that she has caused Pip’s heart to be broken in the same manner as her own. Thus, this behavior from her is the total opposite from the usual, manic and powerful-like figure found within the beginning and middle of the novel.

Estella Havisham

     Like Pip, Estella is an orphan as well as appears to be cold, especially towards Pip. Estella does not seem able to stop herself from hurting Pip, but she also seems not to want to hurt him. This is seen within the novel when she repeatedly warns him, “no heart” (411). This quote highlights her character as well as how she does not want to hurt Pip. Also, this quote shows her real feelings, rather than the common motives of the upper class.  Moreover, she is raised by Miss Havisham, who ruins her ability to express emotion and interact normally with others.

 “if you had taught her, from the dawn of her intelligence, with your utmost energy and might, that there was such a thing as daylight, but that it was made to be her enemy and destroyer, and she must always turn against it, for it had blighted you and would else blight her—if you had done this, and then, for a purpose, had wanted her to take naturally to the daylight and she could not do it, you would have been disappointed and angry?  “I must be taken as I have been made. The success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two together make me” (433).

     This quote highlights Estella feelings towards Miss Havisham when she complains that she treats her coldly and without love. Moreover, Estella is surprised she would make such an accusation since she, her adopted mother (Miss Havisham) was the one who raised her without love and showed constant cruelty. Using sunlight as a metaphor for love, Estella speaks of how she was raised without being exposed to sunlight. Also, Estella includes that Miss Havisham “success”, Estella’s coldness along with her “failure”, Estella’s inability to express her emotions, makes her who she is. Overall, she blames Miss Havisham for shaping her character. Furthermore, Estella endures a long, painful marriage to Drummle causes her to listen and trust her inner feelings, rather than to the common motives of the upper class. Moreover, near the end of the novel, Estella’s character portrays that one’s happiness is not based on one’s social status. This can be noted in the novel when she says to Pip, “Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching. I have been bent and broken, but I hope I get into a better shape” (504). This quote portrays how Estella takes notice of her suffering and is trying to make the better of it. Overall, during the final few chapters of the novel, she has become a changed woman.

Work Cited

Dickens, Charles. The Great Expectations. London: Sovereign 1860. Print

Response to Questions

by: Natasha Thasan

5.     How does the identity of the benefactor affect Pip?

      The secret benefactor of Pip is Magwitch which was discovered by Pip on his twenty-first birthday. This quote proves that Magwitch is Pip’s benefactor, “I've put away money, only for you to spend” (Dickens 286). This quote shows Magwitch explain to Pip why he is his benefactor.  After Pip realizes the identity of his mysterious benefactor, he did not want to keep receiving money. This decision was made after Pip found out his benefactor was put in jail for producing and distributing fake bank notes. This gives Pip the feeling of panic, because he does not want to go to jail for spending money that is fake and invalid. Also, the identity of the benefactor affects him by not wanting Magwitch, his benefactor to go bankrupt. Pip would have felt guilt for collecting money from Magwitch whom barely had money for himself. Moreover, Pip was surprised that the convict he helped as a young child in the marshes, is the benefactor of the wealth he obtains. Overall, the identity of the benefactor leaves Pip at an unease state of mind.

Work Cited

Dickens, Charles. The Great Expectations. London: Sovereign 1860. Print

Questioning and Critical Thinking

by: Karla Gomez

1.     Why Pip is’s twenty-first birthday such an important event?
2.     Why didn’t Pip and Estella end up marrying each other?
3.     What’s the identity of his fortune benefactor?
4.     Why is the identity of the benefactor surprising, and important?
5.     How does the identity of the benefactor affect Pip?

Character Analysis- Rabia Afzaal

Pip

Philip Pirrip, better known to himself and to the world as Pip. Pip’s two most important traits are his immature, romantic optimism and his naturally good conscience. On the one hand, Pip has a deep need to improve himself and reach any possible progress, whether educational, moral, or social. Pip the narrator judges his own past actions cruelly, rarely giving himself credit for good deeds but furiously criticizing himself for bad ones. When Pip becomes a man, for example, he immediately begins to act as he thinks a gentleman is supposed to act, which leads him to treat Joe and Biddy affectedly and coldly.

On the other hand, Pip is a very generous and sympathetic person; this can be witnessed in his numerous acts of kindness throughout the book (helping Magwitch, furtively buying Herbert’s way into business) and his important love for all those who love him. Pip’s development in the novel may be seen as the procedure of learning to place his inborn sense of kindness and conscience above his immature optimism.

Not long after meeting Miss Havisham and Estella, Pip’s want for progress largely overshadows his essential goodness. After receiving his unexplained fortune, his unrealistic wishes seem to have been necessary, and he gives himself over to a gentlemanly life of joblessness. But the discovery that the miserable Magwitch, not the wealthy Miss Havisham, is his secret supporter shatters Pip’s oversimplified sense of his world’s hierarchy.

 Drummle ultimately forces him to understand that one’s social position is not the most important quality one possesses, and that his actions as a gentleman has caused him to hurt the people who care about him most. Once he has understood his mistakes, Pip matures into the man who describes the novel, completing the bildungsroman.

Mrs. Joe - Pip’s sister is known only as “Mrs. Joe” throughout the novel. Mrs. Joe is a strict and overbearing figure to both Pip and Joe. She keeps a spotless household and regularly threatens her husband and her brother with her cane, which she calls “Tickler.” She also forces them to drink a foul-tasting mixture called tar-water. Mrs. Joe is petty and ambitious; her only wish is to be something more than what she is, the wife of village blacksmith.   

Miss Havisham

The mad, unforgiving Miss Havisham, a rich dowager who lives in a rotting house and wears an old wedding dress every day of her life, is not exactly a realistic character, but she is certainly one of the most memorable creations in the book. She stops all the clocks in Satis House at twenty minutes to nine, the instant when she first learned that Compeyson has left, and she wears only one shoe, because when she learned of his disloyalty, she had not yet put on the other shoe. With a kind of overexcited, obsessive unkindness, Miss Havisham adopts Estella and raises her as a weapon to accomplish her own revenge on men. Miss Havisham is a good example of single-minded revenge pursued violently: both Miss Havisham and the people in her life suffer deeply because of her quest for revenge. Miss Havisham is totally unable to see that her actions are hurtful to Pip and Estella. At the end, she realizes that she has caused Pip’s heart to be broken the same way as hers was; rather than achieving any kind of personal revenge, she has only caused more pain to people that loved her. Miss Havisham immediately begs Pip for forgiveness, strengthening the novel’s theme that bad behavior can be changed by regret and sympathy.