Photo Connection

In the novel Great Expectations, Pip is torn between what he knows to be right, and what he wants for himself. I chose this photo because in the beginning of the book, when Pip meets Estella and wants to become a gentleman, he doesn't think twice about what it would do to Joe if he left, but all the same he excepts his "expectations" gladly in the hopes of him being meant for Estella. In a way Pip is following his heart when he goes to London because he is doing it for Estella, but he is also running away, away from the steady, comfortable life as a blacksmith. Pip would rather live luxuriously and be happy with himself (or so he thinks he will be at the time) than be just a common blacksmith and live with Joe in a small, cozy house. Once Pip goes to London, and finds out it's not really all that it's made out to be, he finds himself second guessing his decision to leave and become a gentleman. Is it really better to have a social status than to be happy and with the ones you love? But it's too late for Pip to turn around now, and he has to do the best he can with what he has. Throughout the 1st and 2nd stages of the book, there are moments where Pip has to make decisions between what he wants, and what is right, and they all help Pip to be the character that he is, his mistakes help him learn, and maybe to help him make the right dicisions in the next part of the book.

Connections

When reading Great Expectations  I noticed that in many ways, it was similar to the movie Slumdog Millionaire which is also a story about a very poor boy- Jamal- who has a chance of a lifetime to better himself- to go on the show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". When on the show, he happens to know all the correct answers to the questions and for each question, there is a story behind how he knows it, this gives the story a strong sense of mystery. Jamal tells parts of his childhood, of how his brother, Salim- who like Joe has watched over him from when they were little- and friend Latika have survived on the streets.

Jamal and Pip as orphaned boys.


Ever since Jamal met Latika- like Estella- he was transfixed. You find out as Jamal tells his story, that he and Latika got separated- like Estella leaving to go abroad- and he feels guilty for not being able to keep them together- as Pip feels guilty about many things.


 Jamal and Latika, and Pip and Estella older now

As Jamal and Salim grow older, they also grow apart- they have different interests like Joe and Pip. When Jamal's story finally catches up with where he is now, you know that the main reason that Jamal went on the show was to find Latika, who he has never forgotten- like Pip becomes a gentleman to make himself more worthy of Estella. So in the end, I think that Great Expectations and Slumdog Millionaire are similar in quite a few ways, with both characters and themes.

Second Stange

When Pip goes to London, he finds out that the inn that he is staying at isn't quite up to his expectations. Although Barnard's Inn is only a "collection of shabby buildings", Pip finds that the young Mr. Pocket he is staying with is in fact the same pale young gentleman that he fought at Miss Havisham's house. As they sit down to dinner, they have a conversation about Miss Havisham, and Herbert uncovers many of the mysteries that Dickens puts out in the first stage.

In class, we have discussed many different motifs that are in the novel so far. One of the main motifs in Great Expectations is mystery. In the first 19 chapters there are many things that you just have to guess at- the mystery of Miss Havisham, and Pip's benefactor. In the second stage, several things are cleared up about Miss Havisham, and Herbert is the one who does this. Even though Herbert brings to light the tragic past of Miss Havisham, he thickens the mystery of Pips benefactor by unknowingly guessing at who it might be. Mystery is a big part of this book, and all throughout the first and second stage of it, Dickens keeps you guessing.

Pip's Quote

I think that what Pip is referring to here, is that there are experiences that you can live without your whole life, and be happy, but if you happen to stumble into them, that day will alter your life forever. He also talks about thorns or flowers, I think that here, he is talking about the good and bad side of things.
At this point in the book, Pip has just gone and saw Miss Havisham for the first time. Before this, he had never really seen the outside world of "high society" and was content with his life, because that's all he knew. But on this day, when he sees Miss Havisham, he is intoxicated by the young Estella, who is beautiful but cruel. Estella doesn't make wealthy living out to be so great, but she puts so much disgrace on being poor, that Pip is ashamed. From this day forward, Pip's whole outlook on his life changes.
The changes that occur in Pip after this day are great. He is so happy with his life before, and so grateful, because that's all hes been told- to be grateful for being brought up by hand by his sister. Now that hes seen what he could have had, he wants to be a gentleman. Pip no longer wants to work as a blacksmith, mainly because he thinks Estella would look down on that. At the end of chapter 13 and the begining of chapter 14, Pip is thinking a lot about where his life is, and how his home and family aren't what he would like them to be. Pip is frustrated that Joe is happy to be a blacksmith, and cant see why or how that would be enough for him.
A main turning point for me was when I went into 6th grade; it was the ending of my innocents. I know that everyone has this same kind of thing, and its not really something you can skip, or walk away from, but for me, it was a big thing. There are so many things in the world that you can do nothing about, and also so many things that you can change. One thing you cant change though, are other people. You cant change the way other people act, or what they do, and until 6th grade, I thought that I could. It was a valuble lesson, and a tough one to learn, but most of the time, you just gotta live, and let live.

Great Expectations Question

My question doesn't really go with one part of the book so far. I was wondering why Mrs. Joe puts on an act of politeness and good manners for company that really isn't that important. Why does she care what they think?

Group Essay Collaboration

Other than tweaking some things, my paragraph is pretty much the same as what you saw on Friday. for our conclusion, the messages that I think are behind his funny portrayal are that you shouldn’t just do things because of what other people will think, but for yourself, and also that you shouldn't just do something for self gain, but think about the impact it will have on other people. Any other ideas? Other than finishing our conclusion, I don't really have any questions. I think that both your paragraphs are really good, and the biggest challenge will be to get it to flow. Also, how are we going to include epigrams and aphorisms? Does anyone have any in their paragraphs?