Essay on Great Expectations A Character-Driven Novel

Great Expectations: A Character-Driven Novel The novel, Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens is heavily a character-driven novel due to the fact that the sequence of events in the novel are causes and effects of the actions of the characters as well as the interactions between them. The novel mainly depicts the growth and development of an orphan named Pip, who is greatly influenced by the other characters and became a gentleman and a bachelor in the end of the novel through his encounters with the other characters. Pip, as the main character, definitely has a lasting impact on the drive of the novel since his decisions are very instrumental and effective towards the other characters as well as to himself. This phenomenon applies to not†¦show more content†¦If Pip had not been an orphan or lived with a poor family, the major plot would not have existed as Pip’s transformation to a gentleman is the key. Pip would never have met half the characters of the novel such as his best friend, Herbert, Jaggers, and Wemm ick. The novel would be driven into a different direction. Dickens was able to produce a novel that makes sense and that reflects his view of what a â€Å"coming of age† novel would be like by making the main character a poor orphan from the start only to turn him into a wealthy gentleman later and then into a hardworking bachelor. Another beforehand affected character, who has a deep impact towards the novel’s state of conflict, is Miss Havisham as she is the mastermind behind Estella’s cold behavior and wants to get revenge on men just because one man, Compeyson, who is supposed to be her husband, left her on their wedding day before the start of the novel. This one particular major event of Miss Havisham’s life changed her life forever as she was heartbroken and turned into a crazy and vengeful woman. She has ever since lived in the moment when she got the note that her wedding with Compeyson was off as all her clocks stayed at the same time of that moment and she still wears her bridal clothing from back then. The fact that she got rejected by her future husband induced her to hate men in general, to never love them again, and to adoptShow MoreRelatedGreat Expectations By Charles Dickens924 Words   |  4 PagesCommonly, a novel is either a plot driven novel, a character driven novel, or a mix of the two. In order for a novel to be character driven, it must revolve more around the characters’ individual thoughts, feelings, and inner struggles, rather than around the quest of the story. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, is a character driven novel. While the story does have a plot, it is not contingent upon that plot, but rather is reliant upon its characters and their natures. This is evident fromRead More Book Review of Great Expectations Essay870 Words   |  4 PagesBook review of Great Expectations ================================= Great Expectations is a tale of a young man raised high above his position in society by a mysterious person. Despite the book lacking in length, it more than makes up for in its remarkable characters and gripping story. It was published serially in 1860 and issued in book form in 1861. The third person mixed with first person narrative takes Pip (Philip Pirrip) through a journey he would never forget. He was broughtRead MoreEssay on Book Review on Dickens Great Expectations788 Words   |  4 PagesThere are reasons why novels become classics, and â€Å"Great Expectation† by Charles Dickens is certainly a beloved classic with an exceptional plot and a great deal of rich themes and symbolism. This classic is filled with eccentric characters, themes and symbolism. Themes play an important part in â€Å"Great Expectations†, there are a few major themes in this novel. Dickens explores the England social class system thoroughly, criminals (the lowest end of the system) to high aristocrats are describedRead MoreBook Review of Great Expectations985 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ Great Expectations Introduction In his novel Great Expectations, published in1861, Charles Dickens examines the class system of Victorian England and the effect wealth and position had on the lives of the people living during the period. The novel follows the life of Philip Pirrip (Pip) from his childhood as an orphan being raise by Joe Gargery (his brother-in-law) and his sister (simply known as Mrs. Joe in the novel). The story concerns Pips efforts to become a gentleman and win the affectionsRead MoreEssay on Great Expectations by Charles Dickens745 Words   |  3 PagesGreat Expectations is a novel written by Charles Dickens that illustrates a strong relationship between parents and children. Dickens himself had a very tough life, his father was imprisoned and he had to work starting at a very young age. The title â€Å"Great Expectations† fits him well as Dickens always wanted to go far in life and break out of the working class. The novel is set in Victorian England, where major social changes were taking place within the country. Many children would work up to sixteenRead More The Constrasting Characters Biddy and Estella from Great Expectations545 Words   |  3 PagesThe Constrasting Characters Biddy and Estella from Great Expectations Dickens describes Biddy as an uncomplicated character He makes it seem that she is better suited to Pip. He uses phrases such as â€Å" a blessing† and â€Å" beautiful at heart.† Dickens uses almost pleasant words when describing Biddy, this makes the reader feel that she is the good character in this novel. On the other hand he describes Estella has â€Å"cruel and cold.† This makes her seem more and more patronising and inconsiderateRead MoreThe Characters of Great Expectations Essay575 Words   |  3 PagesMr. Watts is one of the central focuses of the story along with Dolores, Matilda’s mother. The two characters are polar opposites in the way they come to their conclusions, make their decisions and view their world. With growth comes decision making in which comes greater changes, the motif of choice is woven through the novel of Mister Pip, whether its Dolores deciding to hide â€Å"Great Expectations† from the villagers causing greater occurrences or Mr. Watts becoming a transformer and saving the dayRead MoreGreat Expectations1707 Words   |  7 PagesGreat Expectations Human nature is the psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind. Human nature separates humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. The underlining theme of human nature is evident in Great Expectation by Charles Dickens use of his characters. A main characteristic that Dickens displays is friendship. The friendship between Pip and Herbert is strong. Herbert was significant to Pip’s growth in social class and eventual to his revelation. â€Å"Friendship was oneRead MoreNothing1505 Words   |  7 Pagesbasically the idea that society is driven by money and the economy. In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice for example, Mrs. Bennett is the height of Marxism since her singular goal is to marry off all her daughters to wealthy men. Another example is that almost every character except Elizabeth and Darcy is preoccupied with the income of their potential partner. Since the Bennetts are brought up within an upper class society, the illusion of power is found within their characters. They have the freedom to doRead MoreEssay on Crime and Imprisonment in Great Expectations1413 Words   |  6 PagesCrime and Imprisonment in Great Expectations      Ã‚  Ã‚   There is a clear relationship between the characters in Great Expectations and crime. Dickens uses this connection to show that a criminal can be reformed. He also shows the characters to be prisoners of their own doing. Pip is born into his prison. He continuously associates himself with criminals and criminal behavior. Pip likens himself to a criminal from the start: I think my sister must have had some general idea that I was