Thoughts on Reading

     Great Expectations was an interesting novel that was so much deeper than I had expected. It had so many twists and turns that created the intricate plot. I, personally, did not enjoy the ending of the book at all. I felt that it didn't complete the whole story and left a lot of loose ends. All that happened was Estella and Pip meet again after a long time (two years?) and Pip realizes her unhappiness. She has had a terrible marriage to Bentley Drummle and is leading a life of heartbreak. She and Pip reconcile their past differences and decide to remain as friends. What is so unsatisfying about this is that Pip does not end up marrying Biddy or Estella or anyone. I can't believe that Biddy and Joe marry, considering their huge age difference. On a positive note, Pip does discover himself near the end of the novel and becomes a likable protagonist once again. He becomes his old self and this brings a sigh of relief from the reader. I did enjoy Dickens' language at times but most often, found it confusing and hard to follow. The whole story would have been easier to read had it not been writen two-hundred years ago.

     Staying caught up on the reading was not usually a problem for me. Most often I would read the chapters and annotate right before I went to bed. Sometimes I would read in the morning before school. I did use sparnotes when the chapters were confusing (which they most often were) to help clarify my understanding of the plot. Once in a while I would not read and get behind, but most often I stayed caught up. Reading the chapter and then sparknotes helped me understand the novel by seeing what I could figure out on my own and catching what I missed.

Picture Post

     This picture captures the story of Great Expectations well. In one way, the princess trapped high in the tower is the beautiful Estella. Pip is madly in love with her but can never reach her. She taunts and belittles him so he constantly feels inferior around her. The dragon guarding the tower is the class system in society that has been a major theme throughout the entire novel. Pip would do anything to be with her and eventually does scale the ladder of society.

      In another way, Estella represents the thing that Pip wants most but cannot have. He is constantly wanting something better, something more for himself. In a way, the dragon and the tower could represent Pip himself because he stands in his own was on the path to happiness. He never feels good enough so he must always strive to be better. The princess locked up in the tower is Pip's      own happiness.

Making Connections

     The story of Great Expectations has many similarities to the story of Annie. Both begin with the main character (both orphans) in a dark place early in life. Pip is the abused little boy living with his sister, destined to work in the forge and never have a chance at a better life. Annie lives in the orphanage and has learned to fend for herself at an early age. She can only dream that someone will adopt her and she can have a normal life. Mrs. Joe and Mrs. Hannigan play the roles of the abusive "caretakers" of the children and in reality, make their lives miserable.
    
     They are both unsatisied with their lives and long for something better in the future. Then each of the stories take an unexpected turn. The two children find themselves with the promise of a bright future. Annie is sent to live with billionare Mr. Warbucks for a week and Pip is given a fortune by an unknown benefactor.
   
      Besides the plot similarities, the two stories also have common motifs. The most major being how each long for something better throughout the story. Annie is desperate to meet her real parents of be adopted. Pip longs to be a gentleman and to discover his own destiny.

Great Expectations, Second Stage

     In the second stage of the novel, Pip explains how he has settled into his new lavish life and has become accustomed to the lifestyle. He says that he has the expensive habit of spending large amounts of money. This he does with ease because whenever he needs money, he simply goes to Mr. Jaggers who gives him the desired amount. This shows Pip to be somewhat selfish, as all the money he is spending is from his benefactor.
     Pip's habit of spending money fits into his new image as a gentleman because it is exactly what he imagined. When he still lived with Joe, he longed to be a refined gentleman who didn't work and had all the money he wanted. Pip has worked for none of his money and has therefore fulfilled part  of his "dream" to be a gentleman. This is a huge letdown for the reader. Pip is no longer a simple, inocent boy but a wealthy, arrogant, lazy man who looks down on the lower class he used to be a part of. He fits the theme of "being a gentleman" because he is no longer humble but complacent and spoiled.

Pip's Quote

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the information of the first link on one memorable day."

When he says this Pip is referring to how his attitude toward being Joe's apprentice has changed. He was once excited to finally learn this trade. The forge was his path to adulthood that he revered so much. But now he is ashamed of his "coarse hands and thick boots" and the lowly status of the blacksmith. The moment his view was altered was when he met Estella. Before he met her, he knew of nothing that could be better in life. He had a home, food, and some companionship. He had nothing to compare his life to so he was content. She changed his whole view of himself and the way he viewed other people. This is a negative change because it twists how Pip sees everything in his life from now on. He is no longer content with his simple life but is ashamed of it. He describes how is house was once a suitable and sturdy home, but now reminds him of his low status and fuels his wish for a better life.

This quote could also relate to me in the area of swimming. The day I joined the swim team nearly 6 years ago really turned my life in a different direction. I had tried other sports but nothing really grabbed me. I knew that I loved to swim and wanted to try something new but I didn't know the commitment it took. I had no idea how much time I would spend at endless swim meets, the lazy, care-free Saturdays I would never have, and the hard training it would require. But the upsides outweigh the downsides and I have learned to much self disipline as a result. Swimming has become a huge part of my life and continues to be my passion.