Themes in Great Expectations

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Who serves as the protagonist and narrator of Great Expectations?

Pip (correct)

Estella

Miss Havisham

Magwitch

What social issue did Dickens particularly advocate for during the Victorian Era?

Reducing the gap between rich and poor (correct)

Promoting imperialism

Establishing a monarchy

Industrialization of the workforce

What was Miss Havisham's condition after being deserted by her fiancé?

She moved to a different city

She found happiness in solitude

She turned bitter and manipulative (correct)

She became wealthy and powerful

What role does Magwitch play in Pip's life?

He becomes Pip's secret sponsor Signup and view all the answers

What is a major theme depicted in Great Expectations regarding social class?

The expectation to know one's place in society Signup and view all the answers

Which character represents an unattainable dream for Pip throughout the novel?

Estella Signup and view all the answers

What significant historical context heavily influenced Great Expectations?

The Industrial Revolution and social inequality Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'exposition' refer to in the context of literature?

A detailed explanation of characters and their backgrounds Signup and view all the answers

What does Dickens suggest is more important than social status or wealth?

The nature of one's character Signup and view all the answers

Which characters are identified as true heroes in Dickens' narrative?

Biddy and Joe Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used to indicate a repeated image that enhances understanding?

Motif Signup and view all the answers

How does Dickens convey the theme of love throughout 'Great Expectations'?

By exploring unrequited love and loyalty Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about ambition in Dickens' portrayal?

Ambition can exist without bringing success Signup and view all the answers

In the context of self-improvement, what does Samuel Smiles advocate?

Hard work can lead to better circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What does the repeated imagery of the 'shoe' and 'stocking' symbolize?

Neglect and decay Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Pip’s unrequited love for Estella?

It highlights the theme of unattainable desires Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of a Bildungsroman?

Centers around the protagonist's development from youth to adulthood Signup and view all the answers

In which literary tradition is Great Expectations categorized?

Bildungsroman Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'serialisation' mean in literary terms?

The process of publishing a story in multiple parts over time Signup and view all the answers

Who serves as the narrator and main character in Great Expectations?

Pip Signup and view all the answers

How did Dickens experience his childhood affect his later writings?

He worked in a factory and highlighted social issues in his novels Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Industrial Revolution have on the publication of literature during the Nineteenth century?

It led to the serialization of novels due to high book prices Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'grotesque' refer to in literature?

Exaggerated depictions aiming to provoke empathy and disgust Signup and view all the answers

What does 'narrative perspective' refer to in literature?

The point of view from which a story is told Signup and view all the answers

What literary technique is used when the author appeals to the senses?

Imagery Signup and view all the answers

What main social issue does Dickens address in Great Expectations?

Crime and the law Signup and view all the answers

How does Dickens portray criminals in Victorian England according to the content?

As victims of an unjust system Signup and view all the answers

Which character trait is suggested for the 'black ox' in the passage?

Gruff and accusatory Signup and view all the answers

What does Dickens imply about the legal system of his time?

It mainly benefits the wealthy Signup and view all the answers

What does the act of Pip stealing a file and food from his own pocket signify?

His moral dilemma and fear Signup and view all the answers

Which word best describes the emotional tone of the imagery in the passage?

Haunting Signup and view all the answers

What does listing in Dickens' writing serve to enhance?

The severity of the situation Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Pip's life is emphasized in the second part of the novel?

His apprenticeship in London Signup and view all the answers

Which theme is significant in Dickens' portrayal of social classes?

The flaws of the upper class versus the virtues of the lower class Signup and view all the answers

How does Pip's contact with wealthy people affect him?

It leads to a sense of dissatisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What realization does Pip come to about love and relationships?

True happiness lies in genuine relationships, not appearances Signup and view all the answers

What message does Dickens convey about hard work in the novel?

Hard work is associated with genuine happiness and fulfillment Signup and view all the answers

Which literary technique is used to compare something by stating it is something else?

Metaphor Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of the lower working class as depicted in the novel?

Violence and surliness make them to be feared Signup and view all the answers

What does Dickens suggest is the 'way to happiness' in the novel?

Adhering to middle class values of gentleness and hard work Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Crime and the Law

Dickens was critical of Victorian England’s legal system, drawing on personal experiences, as his father was imprisoned for debt.
Crime and legal themes are prevalent throughout Great Expectations, starting with Pip’s encounter with a criminal in a cemetery and his subsequent theft.
Dickens argues that criminals could be good people trapped by an unfair system, and that prison was inhumane.

Ambition and Self-Improvement

Dickens challenged the popular belief that ambition guaranteed success, as reflected in Samuel Smiles’s book Self-Help which promoted the idea of social mobility through hard work
He emphasizes that true character is not defined by wealth or social class, but by one’s inner qualities.
Biddy and Joe embody this ideal, demonstrating that genuine happiness is not based on ambition.

Love and Deception

Dickens explores love and loyalty in Great Expectations, using Pip's unrequited love for Estella as an example of the complex interplay between these emotions.
He highlights that love and loyalty are essential for happiness and misery.

The Victorian Era

Victorian England was a time of great social inequality and change, marked by advancements in technology and industry during the Industrial Revolution.
Dickens aimed to showcase the struggles of growing up in this era, exposing the stark differences between the lives of the rich and poor.

Victorian society was rigidly stratified, with clear expectations and limits on social movement. The wealthy were expected to help the poor, but often did not.
Charles Dickens, having experienced poverty firsthand, was a vocal advocate for social reform, particularly in education and prisons.

Charles Dickens

Dickens’s own life experiences shaped his writing.
He endured significant hardship during his childhood when, at age 12, he was forced to work in a boot-blacking factory after his father's imprisonment for debt.
The experience left a lasting impact on his perspective, prompting him to write about social injustices.

Nineteenth Century Literary Traditions

Books were relatively expensive in the 19th century so to make them accessible, Dickens’s novels were published in serialized installments.
Great Expectations was published in 36 weekly installments in All Year Round.

Key Characters

Pip: The protagonist and narrator of Great Expectations, Pip experiences a journey from orphanhood to wealth and ultimately, self-discovery.
Magwitch: A fearsome criminal who becomes Pip’s secret benefactor, revealing the complexity of his character and the injustices of the legal system.
Estella: The adopted daughter of Miss Havisham, Estella represents Pip's unrequited love and ambition. -Miss Havisham: A bitter woman, haunted by a past betrayal, Miss Havisham manipulates and influences those around her, particularly Estella, to satiate her vengeful desires.

Key Themes

Social Class: Dickens uses Great Expectations to explore the complexities of social class in Victorian England, highlighting the inequalities, prejudices, and struggles that existed.
Bildungsroman: The novel follows Pip’s journey from childhood to adulthood.
Patriarchal System: The story explores the consequences of a society where men dominate and women are often relegated to subservient roles.

Techniques

Simile: Comparing one thing to another using words like “like” or “as.”
Metaphor: Describing something as if it were something else.
Listing: Using multiple words, phrases, or ideas in succession to create a sense of emphasis or detail.
Repetition: Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis.
Semantic Field: A group of words related in meaning.
Motif: A recurring image or symbol that carries symbolic meaning.

Examples

"So she sat, corpse-like, as we played at cards." (Simile)
"He put down his head, blew a cloud of smoke out of his nose, and vanished with a kick-up." (Metaphor)
"It was a rimy morning, and very damp. I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night.” (personification, imagery)
"A man…who limped, and shivered, and glared and growled.” (listing)
"The shoe upon it, once white, now yellow, had never been worn….the silk stocking on it, once white, now yellow, had been trodden ragged.” (repetition)
“She looked at Sarah Pocket with triumph in her weird eyes, and so I left my fairy godmother, with both her hands on her crutch stick, standing in the midst of the dimly lighted room beside the rotten bridecake that was hidden in cobwebs." (imagery, motif, semantic field of decay)
"Saw her running at me, shrieking, with a whirl of fire blazing all about her….she only stopped to look back at me…” (imagery, motif, repetition of fire imagery)

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the major themes in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, including crime and the law, ambition and self-improvement, and love and deception. This quiz delves into how Dickens critiques Victorian society and explores human character beyond social status and wealth.