Montreal Dickens Fellowship Study Questions: “Great Expectations"
October 1, 2024
Chapter 1-12
- How does Dickens immediately “hook” us into his story at the very onset? How does his description of the marshes set the tone for the rest of the book?
- Pip is frightened, fascinated and repulsed by the convict. Comment on the bond between the two.
- These chapters introduce the themes of good and evil, right and wrong, guilt and justice. Comment on these themes in terms of the relationships between Pip and his sister, Pip and the convict, Pip and Joe.
- Do The Hubbles, Mr.Wopsle and Uncle Pumblechook contribute to comic relief? Select the humorous passages and characters that offset the book’s darkness.
- Dickens uses language so skillfully. Comment on his use of description of his characters’ physical traits as a means of describing their personalities. eg (Mrs. Joe compared to Joe)
- Is Pip a typical child? Give examples of his “child’s voice”.
- Give examples of how Dickens satirizes education, child labor, the merchant class and the clergy.
- Miss Havisham is one of the most unique characters in literature. How does her character contribute to the overall tone of the story?
- Where do we see the themes of ambition and snobbery appear? Is Pip dissatisfied with his life before meeting Miss Havisham?
- Secrecy seems to rule most of Pip’s life? Why?
- Can you draw any parallels between Dickens’ recurrent themes of guilt and Pip’s infatuation with a hardened, aloof, strong woman with his own love life?