Charles Dickens Questions
1. From the biography, what incident changed Dickens' life and helped to shape him
as a writer? ​Dickens was thrown in jail and working at the factory.
2. How old do you think Pip is?​I think pip is about 9 maybe from reading the
first chapter
3. Quote the specific language in the selection that leads you to this conclusion.
“my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more
explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip.”
4. Reread the sentence highlighted in ​orange​. Notice the intense descriptive
language Dickens uses. What do you think is the author's purpose for including
such an extraordinarily long descriptive sentence? ​I think he was trying to get
sympathy or sadness
5. List 10 words from this same sentence that produce a frightening tone. Now
choose synonyms to substitute for these words you have selected and rewrite
the sentence with the words you have chosen. Is your new sentence as effective
as Dickens'? Explain why you think it is or is not. ​At such a time I found out for
certain, that this ​bleak(1.dreary)​ place overgrown with nettles was the
churchyard; and that Philip Pirrip, late of this ​parish(2. flock)​, and also
Georgiana wife of the above, were ​dead(3. deceased)​ and
buried(4.obscured)​ ; and that Alexander, Bartholomew, Abraham, Tobias,
and Roger, infant children of the aforesaid, were also dead and buried; and
that the ​dark(6.shadowy) flat(5.empty)​ wilderness beyond the churchyard,
intersected with dykes and mounds and gates, with scattered cattle feeding
on it, was the marshes; and that the low leaden line beyond, was the river;
and that the distant ​savage(7.barbaric) lair(10.hideaway)​ from which the
wind was rushing was the sea; and that the small bundle of
shivers​(8.shudder)​ growing ​afraid(9.frightened)​ of it all and beginning to
cry, was Pip. ​I think that these sentences with the synonyms I have chosen
are as effective as the original sentences because they are just synonyms.
Words that have the same meaning. Some words though might be a little
effective, like simpler words that are substituted. Like when I exchanged
flat for empty, and lair for hideaway. The sentences are easier to
understand when words are substituted for easier terms.
6. Reread the sentences highlighted in ​pink​. What rhetorical device does Dickens
employ in these sentences? ​I believe that Dickens employs the rhetorical
device Anaphora because he has a repetition of sentences to create an
effect. He repeats the words “with”, “and” & “by” to create this effect
showing how the man is.
7. Does the language in these sentences lead you to believe that this is a child's
description of a man? Why or why not? Quote the words that lead you to your
conclusion.​I think that these sentences are the description of a convict from
sentences like ​ "`Keep still, you little devil, or I'll cut your throat!"
8. Reread phrases highlighted in blue. Note the convict speaks in obviously informal
language. Based on the diction chart, what specific language (jargon, slang) can
you find within these phrases? ​It seems that he is using slang based on the
phrases,
9. Does the author's word choice for Pip and the convict make them more or less
real to you? Explain your answer. ​The word choice makes them seem more
real to me because he gives them a real conversation that they have.