Questions About Great Expectations

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Answered Questions (28)

What's wrong with having the "great expectations" Pip had? Obviously, everyone wants to be rich, famous and marry the beautiful woman you are obsessed with. Personally, I do not think there are anything wrong with that. So what's the significance of the title -- "Great Expectations"?

Jennifer Cipri Good question! I think what made it wrong was how he came to have those expectations: He felt worthless being poor and many of the adults in his life …moreGood question! I think what made it wrong was how he came to have those expectations: He felt worthless being poor and many of the adults in his life treated him as if he were subhuman. They ingrained a sense of self-loathing in him.

I almost cried when he tried to rip his own hair out after Estella made him cry. It's one of the saddest scenes I've ever read in my life! :(

Dickens was really genius in showing how suppression and poverty have such a crushing effect on the spirit and how the true reality of happiness lies nowhere near material gains but in goodness, forgiveness and love. (less)

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I read this as a kid, an abridged version of around 150 pages, how is it like reading the unabridged version? Is it a quick, well-paced read? Please advice.

Nich I haven't read the abridged version so I can't say what all you're missing out on by just reading that but, I assume you're probably missing out on a …moreI haven't read the abridged version so I can't say what all you're missing out on by just reading that but, I assume you're probably missing out on a lot. The original is very long but, to me, it's completely worth it. Much of the really awesomeness of Dickens' (and any good classic/gothic writer) comes in the 700th page or so. That's just my opinion. But it's hard for me to imagine that anyone could successfully summarize the 500 pages of brilliance into a quarter the length.

The overall plot is very complex and drawn out over a long period of time. It took me a couple of months to read the book but that helped me understand how much time was passing in the book. The length of the book adds to the development of the characters. I read this book when I was about 15 and even though I live in a completely different world from Pip's character, it was one of the first times that I really related to a character and felt as though I knew him or as though I could have been him. That might sound weird but what I really mean is that there is a lot of worth in this book and I would definitely recommend reading the original. (less)

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"...I saw no shadow of another parting from her." I read this book in English which is not my mother language. This is how the book ends. Does it mean that Estella left him again or that she was with him when he woke up?

Sandra Ceribo I think there can be two interpretations we can draw from that ambiguous ending line. Previously, Estella entreated Pip to forgive her for treating hi…moreI think there can be two interpretations we can draw from that ambiguous ending line. Previously, Estella entreated Pip to forgive her for treating him badly in the past. To this, Pip assured that they continue to be friends despite the past, then Estella added "And will continue to be friends apart". This was quite confusing. It gave me the feeling of the old cool or distant characteristic in the younger Estella, although they both acknowledged the friendship in the end. Even so, maturity was quite evident in her.

When Pip said the line, "I saw no shadow of another parting from her", I wanted to think that they would be together from then on however, Estella's words negate it so it was quite unlikely. So rather, it appeals to me, that Pip meant it that they would never part again because that would be the last time to see each other and that there would be no more meeting her again, considering that Pip works and lives abroad and Estella was still keeping her remarriage.(less)

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How do you feel about having expectations in your own life? Do you think it's a good idea to have expectations and work towards them? Or should we let go of expectations so that there's no room to be let down?

VDoll Pip didn't work towards his "Great Expectations" (riches) they were given to him by a mysterious benefactor. Dickens to me is not saying that one shou…morePip didn't work towards his "Great Expectations" (riches) they were given to him by a mysterious benefactor. Dickens to me is not saying that one shouldn't have goals or expectations in our contemporary sense, but that we should remember that poor hardworking people are just as valuable or often more so than those who may be rich. And also that it is the people who love us for who we are, no matter our fame and finances or lack therof, that are far more valuable, especially in the long term, than those we may wish to impress or find impressive by way of our/their "success". (less)

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Should I read this or not?

Farseer The answer to that question is usually "yes". It may not be your cup of tea, but if you are interested give it a try and decide for yourself. Many peo…moreThe answer to that question is usually "yes". It may not be your cup of tea, but if you are interested give it a try and decide for yourself. Many people enjoy it. If you don't then you can always stop reading.(less)

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