Great Expectations By Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens makes this extract memorable and significant as it is
the first time Pip, a working class boy from the forge, meets Miss
Havisham and Estella who are going to have an important and
significant affect on his life. Pip is invited to Miss Havisham's
residence Statis house. This is important as he doesn't know why he
was invited and before he goes he is told there may be something in
this for him. The reader knows this might be true due to the title of
the play "Great Expectations"
Dickens makes Pip's first encounter with Miss Havisham and Estella at
Statis House a significant and memorable point in the novel in a
number of ways. The first point that makes it memorable is that it is
written in first person narrative. Pip says "sat the strangest lady I
have ever seen, or ever shall see". This image is seen through the
eyes of a child so it will be memorable to him as he will never forget
this lady. This also gives the reader first hand experience into what
Pip is seeing.
Another point why Dickens makes this a significant and memorable part
of the novel is that at the beginning of the extract we do not know
who the lady is. Dickens uses pronouns to name her, he uses words like
"she" and "her". This makes it significant as Dickens is building up
an appearance of the character before he tells you her name.
Dickens makes a memorable part of the novel when he describes the
lady's clothes. He says "she had a long white veil dependant from her
hair and she had bridal flowers in her hair". This gives the
impression of a young bride. Dickens uses the adversative clause "but"
so we know something is going to be wrong. Dickens then says "her hair
was white". This then changes the reader's perception of the character
so this is why it is memorable as it now sticks in the readers head.
Another memorable part of the extract is how Dickens gets across that
this lady is wealthy. Dickens just doesn't say she is rich he
describes her assets that pip can see in the room. He describes the
fabrics "rich material- satins, and lace, and silks". He also
describes her jewellery "bright jewels" and "some other jewels lay
sparkling on the table". These all tell you how rich she is and the
adjectives "bright" and "sparkling" makes it memorable to the
character and the reader.
A way Dickens makes this a memorable and significant part of the
extract is when he describes what sees when he enters the room, he
In the following novel, “The Soloist” by Steve Lopez. The author captures the reader’s interest quickly by the first paragraph. Lopez talks about this mysterious man he encounters on the street, but ends up losing him the minute he looks away. Lopez also teaches his readers that to not judge a book by its cover, because it may surprise the reader of the story it has within.
are what keep us interested in the plot of a book. The ongoing battle between a
The purpose of his article is to show readers that although it seems apparent what Bambara wants her readers to glean from her story, Cartwright
this is one reason why the structure of the book does seem so "loose" - why
Imagery returns once more, allowing the reader to sense the nerves that were beginning to affect the narrator; preparing them for a suspenseful turning point. The turning point that follows had been the revelation of the narrator’s thoughts about stealing the book- which may have been why she must’ve lost her doubts prior. The narrator could not bring herself to steal the book, but was not ready to forget her special moment; looking to the book for an
What the author is doing is letting the reader foreshadow. A technique which creates suspense, a vital element in any action story. The author then explained what was being hinted at;
contact the reader has with people in the book is in the passage in which the
also the story that is implied by the author’s emotions and implications. One of the main
which is found at the beginning of the play, in the prologue. It is a
other piece of information could provide insight into his mind. The book is divided into
a hard and heavy hand, and to be much in the habit of laying it upon
By the end of the novel, we have learnt all about the creature and we
In conclusion, it is hard to grasp the true meaning of the story unless the story is read a second time because of the author's style of writing.
essential part of the novel as it brings out a key theme in the novel
Charles Dickens utilizes his life for inspiration for the protagonist Pip in his novel Great Expectations. They both struggle with their social standing. Dickens loved plays and theatre and therefore incorporated them into Pip’s life. Dickens died happy in the middle class and Pip died happy in the middle class. The connection Dickens makes with his life to Pip’s life is undeniable. If readers understand Dickens and his upbringing then readers can understand how and why he created Pip’s upbringing. Charles Dickens’ life, full of highs and lows, mirrors that of Pip’s life. Their lives began the same and ended the same. To understand the difficulty of Dickens’ childhood is to understand why his writing focuses on the English social structure. Dickens’ life revolved around social standing. He was born in the lower class but wasn’t miserable. After his father fell into tremendous debt he was forced into work at a young age. He had to work his way to a higher social standing. Because of Dicken’s constant fighting of class the English social structure is buried beneath the surface in nearly all of his writings. In Great Expectations Pip’s life mirrors Dickens’ in the start of low class and the rise to a comfortable life. Fortunately for Dickens, he does not fall again as Pip does. However, Pip and Dickens both end up in a stable social standing.