Christy's+GE+essay

What is Dickens saying about love, truth, goodness, expectations, desire, hypocrisy, emotions, wealth, poverty, growing up.... Describe a theme of the novel and discuss how Dickens communicates this theme through characterization, conflict and/or plot
 * Pick a Theme, Any Theme **

//Great Expectations// is a wonderful example of literature that can reach out to any group of people. With strong themes just waiting to escape from the pages into the readers mind, it’s hard not to recognize all that this book contains. The themes range from love, truth, poverty, and desire. A theme that really draws the reader in is life takes unexpected turns and can leave you in the dirt.

In the beginning we catch up with Pip at his parents grave where he finds the convict, Abel Magwitch. Abel threatens Pip to take drastic measures if Pip doesn’t bring a file and food for him. Pip wanted to help the convict so his life would be spared so of course he helped him. After helping him though, the guilt starts eating him alive. He did what he wanted, to help Magwitch, but in the end it didn't work out so well on his concense. A perfect example of the theme previously stated.

Later in the book we meet the fabulous Estella who was all but of a fabulous standard. More of a heart breaker than anything anyone should want to encounter. Pip falls head over heels in love with her, but she doesn’t feel the same way about him. They eventually encounter again when he is older and thinks that he may have his chance. As time goes on Estella marries Drummle and Pip is crushed again. Another example of how Pip's life shows modification, and he's left with nothing else but to love and be loved by no one.

There are many other examples of the chosen theme in the book besides the two just mentioned. With the examples stated it could be said that Pip learned the hard way too. Isn’t that the purpose of the theme though? To learn a lesson? Yes