GREAT EXPECTATIONS This quote by Charles Dickens, Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has

many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some, I think represents the end of this coming-of-age novel, perfectly. This essay will draw attention to some things I found important while reading this book.

Great Expectations, published in book form in 1861, is Charles Dickens thirteenth novel.
This book was originally published serially in 1860, meaning Dickens released a chapter or two to the public each week in his magazine All the Year Round. My favorite character in this novel was Herbert Pocket, Pips best friend and son of Matthew Pocket, Miss Havishams cousin. Herbert Pocket was likely the simplest character in Great Expectations; he honestly cared for Pip and all he wanted was to be an insurer of ships and marry his fiance, Clara Barley. Throughout the book, he has a natural incapacity to do anything secret or mean. (Chapter 22) Herbert was also trustworthy; Pip told him everything about Magwitch, and although he could have gone to the police, he didnt. One of the first significant events in this novel was when Pip was four years into his apprenticeship. He and Joe were at the Three Jolly Bargemen listening to Mr. Wopsle read an article in a newspaper about a local murder, when a strange, yet familiar (to Pip), man begins to question Mr. Wopsles deductions. This man introduced himself to Pip and Joe as Mr. Jaggers, and tells Pip that he has great expectations, on the condition that he does not inquire about his secret benefactor. (Chapter 18) Another important event was when Pip discovers that the pale young gentleman he met, and fought, at Satis House, is Herbert Pocket. Pip and Herbert soon become friends and agree to live together, in London. One meaningful night, a week after Pips twenty-third birthday, he sees a man on the stairs outside of his apartment. The man says he is looking for Mr. Pip, and then asks if he can come in. He reveals that he is the secret

benefactor and that he feels like a second father to Pip. (Chapter 34) Pip recognizes the man as the convict that threatened him in the churchyard, and learns that the convicts name is Abel Magwitch. Pip feels disgusted when he learns where his wealth came from, partly because it meant that Miss Havisham had no plans for Estella and him. My favorite part of the novel was at the very end, when Pip goes home with the intention of starting a relationship with Biddy. When he gets there, Pip discovers Joe and Biddy have gotten married. Although he is disappointed, he is happy for Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gargery. In my opinion, this is the best part because it shows that Pip has matured, and isnt being selfish anymore. This novel, though having difficult and unfamiliar vocabulary, also had footnotes, which often explained what Dickens meant. When there werent footnotes, there was the study guide, which had a vocabulary list for each section. Then, if I still didnt understand the vocabulary, I used the internet. (Online dictionary - Google Search) Although I did set reading goals for this book, I only used them for about the first week or two, then just read when I wanted to. The most difficult part of reading this novel was probably relating to all of the technology (steamboats, lanterns, etc.), and when they spoke, it was sometimes hard to understand what they meant. I couldnt really find a solution to the relating to technology problem, but, I could understand what the characters meant by using context clues, or just reading it again. I would recommend this book to a friend; it was a good book, if the reader understood what Dickens meant. To do that, keep a dictionary handy to look up unknown words, get the edition with footnotes (they were a big help), and try to enjoy reading it. I found all of those strategies useful while reading this book. The purpose of this paper was to emphasize some important things I found while reading this novel.