Plot
What is the name of the protagonist in Great Expectations?
Pip (Philip Pirrip)
Who raises Pip after the death of his parents?
His sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery.
What theme is explored through Pip’s ambition to become a gentleman?
Social class and ambition.
In what year was Great Expectations first published?
1861
What narrative perspective is used in Great Expectations?
First-person narrative, from Pip’s point of view.
Who does Pip first meet in the marshes at the beginning of the novel?
Magwitch (the convict)
What is Joe Gargery’s profession?
Blacksmith
What does Miss Havisham’s decayed wedding feast symbolize?
The destructive power of revenge and unfulfilled expectations.
How does Great Expectations reflect Dickens’ own experiences of poverty?
Pip’s struggles with class and ambition mirror Dickens’ childhood experiences with debt and his rise in society.
What is the significance of the three parts of the novel (Pip’s childhood, time in London, and later life)?
They reflect Pip’s development and personal growth.
What does Miss Havisham wear every day, and why?
Her wedding dress, because she was abandoned on her wedding day.
How is Estella related to Miss Havisham?
She is Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter.
How does Dickens explore the theme of justice in the novel?
Through Magwitch’s story and Pip’s changing perceptions of him.
How does the novel critique the Victorian justice system?
Through the harsh treatment of convicts like Magwitch and Pip’s realization of the system’s unfairness.
What stylistic technique does Dickens use to create suspense in the opening scene on the marshes?
Vivid imagery and a threatening tone.
What does Pip discover about the true source of his “great expectations”?
Magwitch, the convict, is his benefactor.
What role does Herbert Pocket play in Pip’s life?
He becomes Pip’s close friend and supports him during his struggles.
What theme is highlighted by the relationship between Estella and Pip?
Unrequited love and emotional manipulation.
How does Dickens use Miss Havisham’s character to critique the role of women in Victorian society?
Miss Havisham represents how women could be defined and ruined by their relationships with men, reflecting the limitations placed on women in Victorian times.
How does Dickens use symbolism in the novel? Provide one example.
The stopped clocks in Miss Havisham’s house symbolize her obsession with the past and inability to move forward.
How does Pip repay Joe and Biddy at the end of the novel?
He asks for their forgiveness and becomes a part of their family again.
Who is Estella’s biological father?
Magwitch (the convict).
How does the novel critique Victorian social mobility and wealth?
By showing that Pip’s wealth and status do not bring him happiness, and true worth lies in character and loyalty.
How does Great Expectations reflect the Victorian obsession with social class and upward mobility?
The novel explores the Victorian fixation on social class through Pip’s desire to become a gentleman and escape his humble beginnings. Dickens highlights how social mobility was often tied to wealth and appearances rather than personal virtue. Pip’s journey demonstrates the emptiness of status when it’s disconnected from meaningful relationships and moral integrity, critiquing the societal emphasis on class distinctions.
How does Dickens use irony to critique social class in Great Expectations?
Pip’s pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to unhappiness, while characters like Joe, who represent lower-class values, embody true virtue.