Montreal Dickens Fellowship Study Questions: “Great Expectations"
April 1, 2025
Chapter 53-59
- What are Pip’s motives in accompanying Magwitch on his escape? Do you think he intends to stay with him? Why or why not?
- What role does Mr. Pumblechook play in the novel?
- What do you think of the “coincidence “of Orlich teaming up with Compeyson? Dickens often ties story lines and characters together towards the ends of his novels. Comment on this literary license. Does its improbability detract from or enhance the story?
- Did you expect Pip and Magwitch’s escape to be successful? How does the method of Compeyson’s death add to the sensationalism of the novel? Why do you think Dickens has such horrific deaths for his villains
- Comment on Magwitch’s calm affect in the boat. Do you think he foresees his fate?
- Do you like Pip better for his kindness to Magwitch after he is caught? Comment on his selflessness in not revealing that the money is gone. Does this act make him more of a gentleman than any amount of money might have?
- Both Wemmick and Herbert make new starts at the end of the novel. They seem to have positive futures ahead of them. Contrast their fates with that of Pip. Are they being rewarded for goodness? Is he punished for his former thoughtlessness and selfishness? Discuss this in terms of Dickens ideas about Christianity.
- Does Magwitch deserve his death sentence?
- What do you think of the “melodrama’ of Pip revealing the truth about his child to Magwitch on his death bed. How does this add to the story?
- There are several death or near death scenes in Great Expectations. Biddy, Pip on the marshes, Miss Havisham, Compeyson, Magwitch. Compare and contrast them. If Magwitch wasn’t dying, would Pip have stayed at his side?
- What role did Pip’s illness play in his “becoming a new man”?
- Do you think Joe and Pip’s talk cleared the air? Should Joe have acknowledged Pip’s guilt?
- Do you think Pip really wants to marry Biddy or does he do it out of guilt for his former behavior? Would it have been insulting to Biddy?
- Many heavy, serious things happen in these chapters. Comment on Dickens’ use of comic relief in Wemmick’s wedding, Miss Havisham’s will, Mr. Pumblechook’s robbery.
- Comment on the overall change in Pip throughout the novel. How has he become such a better man? Is Dickens saying that one needs to suffer adversity to grow and succeed?
- Is there a moral to this story? If so what is it and do you agree with it.
- What do you foresee for Pip’s future?
- Do you like how Dickens leaves Pip’s relationship with Estella? An earlier version had Pip and Estella parting. Which ending is more realistic? Which would you prefer?
- Did you enjoy this book? Which were your favourite parts? Why? What (if any) parts did you dislike? Did you enjoy the movie? Why?