Questions and Answers
The story begins in the country area ___?
In Victorian England, it seems that ___?
What is Pip's first thought upon arriving in London?
He would never admit it, but he thought that London might be a bit immense, ugly, crooked, narrow, and dirty.
Great Expectations was written in ___?
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Great Expectations was published periodically in sections of a ___?
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Great Expectations is classified as ___?
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It can be said of Great Expectations that ___?
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For the typical Victorian England citizen, social standing was ___?
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While the higher social class went about its day, workhouses employed young children for long hours during the day, feeding them mere crumbs, and allowing them to scrounge for food at night.
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Why was it common for a poor country farmer to have many children?
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Why do you think child pickpockets were rampant during the Victorian era?
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London was the city where ___?
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The Victorian era was named after ___?
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What is said about Prime Ministers under Queen Victoria's reign?
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Some of the Prime Ministers of Britain during Queen Victoria's reign were ___?
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What was Charles Dickens's full name?
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Charles was one of _______ born to ________. John was a _________.
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In the 19th Century, it was common for people who could not pay their debts to be ___?
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Charles had a ___?
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John Dickens was put into ___?
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How did John pay off his debt and get released from prison?
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Charles was forced to quit school at the age of _____________ and go to work _____________ to help pay for the family's expenses. There he worked ______________ , six days a week in horrible surroundings.
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Dickens did not have success with love. He fell in love with a flirtatious young woman, but she ___?
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Study Notes
Setting and Context
- The narrative unfolds in Kent, England, approximately fifty miles east of London in a marshy area known for its bogs and damp farmland.
- In Victorian England, both rural residents aspire for city life, while city dwellers seek the tranquility of the countryside.
Main Character Insights
- Pip, the protagonist, arrives in London with mixed feelings, perceiving it as immense, ugly, crooked, narrow, and dirty despite his dreams.
Structure and Publication
- "Great Expectations" was composed in three parts: Pip's journey to London, his subsequent struggles, and the resolution of his dilemmas.
- The novel was serialized and published in magazine sections starting in 1860.
Genre and Themes
- The novel is classified primarily as realistic fiction, emphasizing its dramatic nature while engaging in social critique.
- It serves as an expose of social criticism, highlighting class consciousness and societal values in Victorian England.
Social Hierarchy
- Social standing was paramount for Victorians; citizens were acutely aware of their neighbors’ class and feared losing social status.
- Workhouses exploited young children, subjecting them to long hours and inadequate food while wealthier classes carried on obliviously.
Family and Poverty
- Many poor country farmers had large families, often a dozen or more, due to the absence of birth control methods.
- Child pickpocketing became common in the era due to widespread poverty, with young children resorting to theft as a means of survival.
Historical Context
- London was the center of British political power, home to leaders and royalty, including Queen Victoria, who reigned from age 18 until 1901.
- The Victorian era is named after Queen Victoria, with various Prime Ministers, including Lord John Russell, Benjamin Disraeli, and William Gladstone, serving during her reign.
Charles Dickens’ Background
- Charles Dickens was born as Charles John Huffam Dickens in 1812 in Portsmouth, England, amidst eight siblings.
- His father, John Dickens, worked as a clerk for the Navy Pay Office and faced financial ruin, leading to a life of hardship.
Impact of Economic Struggles
- In the 19th century, individuals unable to pay debts often found themselves imprisoned alongside serious offenders in debtor's prison.
- Dickens' childhood was marked by trauma, poverty, and an early forced exit from school at twelve to work in Warren's Blacking Warehouse for ten hours a day.
Personal Relationships
- Dickens struggled in romantic pursuits, falling in love with a flirtatious woman who ultimately caused disappointment and heartache.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the first eleven chapters of Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations' with these flashcards. Each card explores key settings, themes, and character insights integral to the story's foundation in Victorian England.
