Great Expectations

Michelle writes:
Reading “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens is an enjoyable experience for me so far. Although I am still in the beginning half of the novel, I have come to learn a lot about the characters and settings the author illustrates for readers like myself. The story follows the young protagonist, “Pip” (Phillip Pirrip), and his many adventures living with his older sister and her husband, Joe. Pip’s story begins when he takes an innocent walk through the churchyard to visit the tombs of his mother and father and happens to meet a terrifying stranger. The stranger appears to be a very unkempt and fearful man who threatens the poor child with death – after a rather suspenseful interrogation – if he should not bring him what he asks for (which include whatever food he could manage to find) and that he not mention anything to anyone. If the condition should be broken, Pip is to be brutally killed by the terrible man and the young boy who accompanies him – the death being comparably more brutal by said boy. This news was obviously very frightening to the young boy, forcing him to comply quickly and immediately find the things he’s told to bring. While at home, Pip is scolded for most everything he does, even if he does not deserve any scolding. Mrs. Joe likes to boast of her single-handedly raising her brother, so much so that she keeps reminding everyone at every possible opportunity. Joe, however, acts more like a friend to Pip; he believes in hearing Pip’s opinions & shows a lot of support, despite everyone else’s lack thereof. This only makes the task of stealing food from the household harder, as he doesn’t want to take a lashing from his sister or upset Joe at all. However, the fear proves too great and he returns to the churchyard with the supplies. After returning home, he finds out they are to have dinner with their Uncle Pumblechook, Mr.Wopsle, and Mr. & Mrs. Hubble. Pip, being nervous beyond belief at the thought of Mrs. Joe realizing anything is missing, is eager to answer the door when relief presents itself to the situation. At the door is the sergeant looking for the blacksmith, Joe. He is to accompany the sergeant to capture two “villains” – those being the two men Pip was referred to earlier. Upon their arrival at the marshes, they confronted the two worn men, the unfamiliar one pleading with the sergeant to believe that the other had tried to kill him. Both told different stories of what had happened, and so no one can bear true witness to any attempt of a murder, resulting in the capture of both. When they were lead to their prison, the familiar convict begins speaking of the scraps he was given by Pip (without revealing that it was him) and Joe’s nobility knows no bounds as he welcomes the convict to said food, claiming he’d not have anyone starve, despite what crimes they could commit. This is as far as I had gotten while reading the novel, and already I’d learned much of the characters’ behavioural patterns: Pip was an all-too innocent child, wise beyond his years. Mrs. Joe was a bitter woman who showed most interest in giving orders and less in anything of a happy manner. Joe was a gracious, supportive man who knew his virtues and didn’t fail to teach Pip of important qualities of life. Reaching such a climax in the story, I look forward to reading more of Pip’s adventures. This has proven to be an admirable piece of work from Charles Dickens.