Chapter 8: What time is it?

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Pip looks at the seeds at Pumblechook's...this is symbolic. How so? And what is significant about the corduroys?

Pip's view of Pumblechook's business and the business of the town are humorous. What makes them funny?

What mood does the description of Miss Havisham's house suggest? What details stand out to you, and what do those details suggest about Miss Havisham?

Remember the name "Satis House." Look up the meaning of the word "satis" (it's Latin, so you'll have to look harder than usual). Think about its meaning as the novel progresses.

What are some of the significant details in the description of Miss Havisham? Why do you find them significant?

What were your initial impressions of Estella? What made you feel this way?

This is the first time that Pip feels embarrassed about who he is, and more importantly, this is the first time he feels embarrassed of Joe. Have you ever been embarrassed by your family or your family's station in life? Are you still?

Chapter 7

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Through Joe, Pip, Biddy, and Mr. Wopsle's great aunt, we get a sense of the state of education in Victorian England. What did you notice concerning education's role in that society? What is different compared to modern education's practices and importance?

"Whatsume'er the failings on his part, Remember reader he were that good in his heart." These words, which Joe wanted to put upon the tombstone of his father, tell us several things about Joe. What are some of these things?

Joe tries to get Pip -- and the reader -- to understand his relationship with Mrs. Joe. Does it make sense? Explain.

Chapter 6

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A little insight into Pip's general state of mind at this point. Not a ton to discuss in this chapter, so let's look at a big question:

Do you think Dickens wanted to portray Pip as a sympathetic character? If so, what are your reasons for believing this? If not, what does Dickens want us to think of Pip, in your opinion?

For those in need...

I received an email from a student who had lost the yellow sheet with the deadlines. Here are the parts of the document germaine to summer assignments:

The blog is a site where you can post comments or questions regarding the novel. You are required to post a comment or question for each section of the novel 5 times within the given time periods. Below are the deadlines for your comments on the blog:

Chapters 1-15: Comment Deadline: July 6

Chapters 16-30: Comment Deadline: July 23

Chapters 31-45: Comment Deadline: August 10

Chapters 46-59: Comment Deadline: August 31

Comments not posted by midnight on those dates will not be counted for credit.

Essay Question

Write a 3-4 page paper explaining why you think the novel is considered literature rather than merely a story. This assignment will require you to define what literature is and then give specific examples from the text to support your argument.

I expect a solid introduction and conclusion. Your paper should reflect knowledge of the entire novel and insightful analysis. Show me what you know.

The essay should be typed in 12 point font (Times New Roman or Courier New). It should be double-spaced and have one-inch margins all around. I will be looking at your grammar usage and spelling as part of your grade on this paper, so have someone read it over before you turn it in to me.

Remember, the paper should be 3-4 pages in length…not 4 pages, not 2.5 pages. Be concise and precise.

Again, the paper is due on the first day of class and will act as your pass into my class. You will also have an objective test over the novel on the first day of class.

Chapter 5: Manhunt

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Another adventure, as they head off with the Red Coats to hunt the two escaped prisoners...Interesting that Pip refers to the convict he had met as "my convict"...

Both Joe and Pip are hoping that they don't find the two convicts. What are some of the reasons that they are hoping they don't find them?

Why does the convict say that he was the one who stole the goods from Joe's house? What motivation does he have to take the blame for something he really didn't do?

Chapter 4: Christmas Dinner

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Christmas...is there any connection between the holiday and the plot of the novel?

Judging by the food alone, Joe Gargery appears to be doing pretty well financially. Although it's summer, try to remember the standard Christmas preparations at your house...are there any similarities to Mrs. Joe's preparations or her treatment/use of Joe and Pip in the preparations?

Humor is one of Dickens' trademarks. What are some of the humorous aspects of this chapter? And now for the hard part: Why are these things funny?

The people you meet in this chapter should be remembered (the dinner guests), as they will play a role in Pip's life. As this is a large book, I would suggest keeping a list of characters and their traits -- this helps track growth (or lack of) in characters as you go along.

A lot of tension is built up throughout the chapter as Pip awaits his fate. What can you find out about the writing of this novel that would explain why we're left hanging at the end of every chapter?

Chapter 3: The Hulks

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This is a hulk, the prison ship mentioned in the novel. These ships served as prisons for convicts who were waiting to be shipped to penal colonies.

Since he can remember, Pip has talked with Joe about becoming his apprentice. This is significant.

Why doesn't Pip tell on the convict and turn him into Joe? Why does the convict trust him? Why does the convict trust Pip?

Clearly the convict knows the unidentified escapee that Pip came upon first...what seems to be their connection based on the information you have so far?

Chapter 2: By Hand

(Photo Courtesy: Tom Crafton)

This is a picture of my grandpap, Hazen Sumney. He was a blacksmith by trade, which probably explains why I feel so connected to this story.

So...Pip's sister is 20 years older than him, and he has five deceased siblings. Interesting that Pip only refers to his sister as Mrs. Joe.

Pip appears to have a good sense of humor, indicating that Joe was probably brought up by hand and that he was forced to marry Mrs. Joe by hand. Funny.

Joe is described as being "a Hercules in strength, and also in weakness." What does this mean? How is he weak?

What do you think accounts for the close relationship between Joe and Pip?

In the Connections selection "Class, Tradition, and Money," blacksmiths are said to be in a respectable position in this society. So what does Mrs. Joe have to complain about?

In your opinion, what causes Pip the most worry and consternation on this night? Explain your opinion.

A Memory

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When I was about four or five years old, my cousins had a fire truck like this that you could pedal like a bike. Whenever I went over to their house, I would beg to ride in it. I was an annoying little cousin to them, so they never let me get my way. One day, though, they talked it over covertly, and they decided that I could ride it.

As I was small for my age, by legs were not long enough to reach the pedals, so my cousins volunteered to push me down the block. As we were making our way down the street -- them pushing, and me pretending to be on the way to a four-alarm fire to save babies and kittens -- my cousins began to tell me the story of the man who lived in the house on the corner we were approaching.

Apparently, this old man was the meanest man alive. Since his wife had died, creepy things happened at his house. The most recent news was that a neighborhood friend of theirs, who was retrieving a kickball from the old man's yard, was shot by a rifle from the window of the old man's kitchen. The old man came out to get their friend's body and dragged it into the house. According to my cousins, the police couldn't arrest him because they found no evidence of foul play. Also, according to my cousins, it was believed that the old man had eaten their friend.

As I listened (at first with interest, and then with rapidly-growing fear), we were nearing that very house. My cousins began pushing faster and faster, and before I knew it, the fire truck that I was driving was in the lawn of the child eater!!! I screamed and cried, "Don't shoot me!!! Don't eat me!!" The fire truck tipped over and my legs became tangled in the pedals. I worked to free myself, but the more I struggled the worse it became. My cousins had long since abandoned me.

It seemed like hours, but soon an adult hand reached into the fire truck and freed my flailing legs. I was quickly lifted out of the truck, a sobbing, shaking mess. As I tried to compose myself, the adult who had saved me (the sharpshooting child eater)had placed the truck on the sidewalk. He patted me on the shoulder and went back to his house.

As I pushed the truck back to my cousin's house, my chest heaving with sobs and angry tears, I plotted my revenge on them.

When I read about this pirate-like man in Chapter 1, this story always pops into my head for some reason. Just thought I'd share.

Beginning Great Expectations: Chapter 1

(Photo: S. Earl)

This novel is considered a Bildungsroman...that's a fancy literary term for a coming-of-age story. Knowing this fact, there are a couple of symbols you should think about connecting to that idea. First, Phillip Pirrip's nickname is Pip. What is a pip, and how is that a symbol of the Bildungsroman? Also, Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, is married to -- you guessed it -- Joe Gargery, the local blacksmith. How might his profession have something to do with the Bildungsroman genre?

What are your thoughts about the first page and a half or so, especially when it comes to the importance of the background information and the setting?

What do you notice about the language in the dialogue? It changes as each character speaks...what does the language used tell you about each character (Pip and the pirate-looking guy)?

You may want to become friends with a dictionary...a couple of words that stick out to me are "wittles" and "gibbet."

If you've read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this may remind you of a scene from that novel. Anybody know what I'm referring to?

Connections: Spoiler Alert

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Do not read the first selection in the Connections section until you have finished the novel. It will ruin everything. I know that by telling you not to look, it will encourage that evil part of the human brain that wants to look even more when told not to look...but don't look.

I do, however, think it would be beneficial for you to read the second selection in the Connections section in the back, entitled "Class, Tradition, and Money." I think this article will help you understand some of the underlying issues in the novel that you might otherwise have found confusing.

Another note: I will be making comments and asking questions that pop into my brain concerning every chapter. This does not mean that you have to comment on every chapter. You must make five comments per section (as indicated on the sheet I gave you). You may make more, but you do not have to. You may also ignore what I have said and add your own thoughts on something that struck you, or you may respond to other comments from other students. Whatever the case, your comments should be about a paragraph in length. At the end of the summer, I should be able to look at the blog and see an insightful conversation about numerous topics related to the novel.

Great Expectations for the Summer

(Photo: S. Earl)

A little play on words...but true in both senses. Use this blog post to test your account. Leave me a message...a simple "hi" will do. Make sure you complete the authentication word. If your comment does not show up, hit "refresh." If it still doesn't show up, let me know.