Abstract

Considered by many to be Dickens’ finest novel, Great Expectations traces the growth of the book’s narrator, the orphan Pip, from a boy of shallow dreams to a man with depth of character. From its famous dramatic opening on the bleak Kentish marshes, the story abounds with some of Dickens’ most miserable characters. Among them are the kind blacksmith Joe Gargery, the mysterious convict Magwitch, the eccentric Miss Havisham and her beautiful adopted daughter Estella, Pip’s good-hearted roommate Herbert Pocket, all of whom have a huge impact on Pip’s change in his character. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss Pip’s character in the book to show his steer transition towards maturity and his most important discovery of all-the truth about himself, as Pip unravels the truth behind his own great expectations in his quest to become a gentleman.

Key words: character; gentleman; mysterious

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

2 Literature review-3

3 The life of Pip’s childhood-4

3.1 The living and educational background of Pip little Pip-4

3.2 The alienation of Pip in his childhood-5

3.2.1 Encountering an escaped convict5

3.2.2 Meeting Miss Havisham and beautiful Estella.6

3.2.3 Being an inheritor of a large amount of property. 7

4 Pip’s life in London. . 7

  4.1 Pip’s daily life in life in London.7

  4.2 The alienation of Pip in London8

5 The beginning of a new life.9

5.1 Wake up to reality9

5.2 The reason for Pip’s alienation9

  5.2.1 The effect of Joe9

  5.2.2 The effect of Magwitch.10

  5.2.3 The effect of Mrs. Harisham.10

  5.2.4 The effect of Estella11

 6 Conclusion12