Great Expectations
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by Charles Dickens
Welcome to a great classic that explores both good and evil within mankind.
Published in installments, Dickens presents episodes that recapture suspense and force
critical analysis. This novel will stretch your view of man’s nature and perceptions of life’s
opportunities. Remember that this is a retrospective story in which the narrator reviews his
childhood, choices, misperceptions and realizations as life progresses.
These questions guide you so that you focus on the significant events and themes.
You do not need to write out the answers to these questions to be handed in or graded,
but you do need to check each one off to signify that you have pondered them yourself or
discussed them. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call me at home this
summer.
Chapters 1-10
____ 1. What point of view does Dickens employ, and how does this affect the readers’
perceptions and sympathy for Pip? How does Joe Gargery parallel Pip?
____ 2. Contrast the convict with Pip; then contrast the two convicts with each other; in
what ways does Magwitch, the first convict, surprise Pip?
____ 3. How does Pip and Joe’s relationship develop in these chapters concerning Pip’s
teaching Joe and Joe’s moral influence on Pip throughout the events in these
chapters?
____ 4. Describe Pip’s self-evaluation and resulting determinations in light of his interaction
with Estella.
Chapters 11-20
____ 5. What objects and settings become symbolic (of Miss Havisham, Pip, Joe, etc.)
during these chapters?
____ 6. How and why does Pip grow more dissatisfied with his life? How does Biddy affect
Joe and Pip?
____ 7. What changes the 4th year of Pip’s apprenticeship? How does this affect his selfperception as well as his views of both Biddy and Estella?
Chapters 21-30
____ 8. Analyze Pip’s reaction to London and Herbert and how it changes his attitudes
(expectations)/values.
____ 9. Characterize Jaggers. What does Pip’s misperception reveal about him?
____ 10. Contrast how Pip treats Joe with his responses to Estella. How is Miss Havisham’s
plan for Pip working?
Chapters 31-42
____ 11. What are the effects of Pip and Herbert’s lifestyle? In what ways does Pip use his
position to help Herbert in these chapters and what does this help affect the
readers’ perception of Pip?
____ 12. After Mrs. Joe dies, how does Dickens portray both Biddy and Joe’s feelings for
Pip?
____ 13. What regrets does Pip have? What are Miss Havisham’s regrets?
____ 14. What ironic information shocks Pip? Characterize its effect on him. How does
Dickens humanize this person?
Chapters 43-57 (end of novel)
____ 15. What mysteries has Pip been able to resolve? Analyze the meaning of the title
Great Expectations.
____ 16. How does Pip specifically help other characters? What does he learn about
himself in the process?
____ 17. Analyze how Pip’s attitudes about three different characters have changed.
Analysis:
____ 18. What forms of deception and self-deception interweave within the novel? With
whom do you commiserate most? If you could change a character or event in the
novel, would you? If so, how & why?
____ 19. How does Dickens account for both good and evil in the world?
____ 20. Which major themes of the novel are based on a biblical world view?