Study Guide: The Great Expectation Part One

Study Guide Questions: Solved

Who was Charles Dickens?

I know teachers hate students using Wikipedia but since I don’t know Dickens personally myself, there’s no option.

Charles John Huffam Dickens: 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular,

having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic novels and characters.

Many of his writings were originally published serially, in monthly installments, a format of publication which Dickens himself helped popularize. Unlike other authors who completed novels before serialization, Dickens often created the episodes as they were being serialized. The practice lent his stories a particular rhythm, punctuated by cliffhangers to keep the public looking forward to the next installment. The continuing popularity of his novels and short stories is such that they have never gone out of print.

Philip Pirrip, who is he?

Otherwise known as “Pip”, he’s the story’s protagonist. He is parentless and lives with a blacksmith who is married to Pip’s older sister. Pip is a young boy who meets new people and opportunity that can change his life.

Do you think that the author puts himself in the story?

You know, that’s a very good question. Pip and Dickens share similar life styles – again, both were parentless and their childhood is haunted by dreadful occurances. It could be Dickens is Pip but in his own vast imagination.

Why do you think Pip is introduced as parentless?

There’s a strong sense of individualism in the story. When a boy is brought up with no parents, it’s safe to assume that the boy will grow up into an independent or strong willed young man. Not always the case, though Pip does seem like the type to have incredible happenings to him.

Does the old man introduced have some type of symbolism?

Although not written in stone, the curdmedgeon in the beginning of the novel does taste like a sharp pain of reality and Pip’s position as a boy. The audience can assume he demands respect from Pip because he’s still an innocent young boy. The way he commanded gives the audience a sense of tyranny through his words, actions and speech. Dickens’ characterization embellished the idea of a cranky old man.