Great Expectations

Name: Great Expectations
Author: Charles Dickens

Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1861. It tells the story of Pip, an orphan boy who is given a chance to rise from his humble beginnings and make something of himself. Pip is raised by his sister and her husband, the blacksmith Joe Gargery. When Pip is invited to the home of the wealthy Miss Havisham, he meets Estella, the beautiful but cold-hearted daughter of Miss Havisham. Pip falls in love with Estella, and his ambition to become a gentleman is born. Pip is soon given a chance to make his dreams come true when an anonymous benefactor provides him with the means to become a gentleman. Pip moves to London and begins to learn the ways of the upper class. He also meets the convict Magwitch, who reveals himself to be Pip's mysterious benefactor. Pip's newfound wealth and status come with a price, however, as he is forced to confront the truth about his past and his relationships with those he loves. In the end, Pip learns the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and love.

By Charles Dickens · First published 1861 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Romance · 59 chapters · 187,081 words

First lines

My father's family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip.

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Great Expectations is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dickens, dated 1861 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Charles Dickens
Date: 1861 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Romance, Social Criticism
Length: 187,081 words
Structure: 59 chapters, 5,965 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Realistic Fiction — The novel is set in Victorian England and follows the life of protagonist Pip, a young orphan, as he navigates his way through the social classes of the time. The novel is a realistic portrayal of the social and economic realities of the period.
Gothic Fiction — The novel contains elements of the Gothic genre, such as the mysterious benefactor, the eerie setting of the marshes, and the presence of a convict. These elements add a sense of suspense and mystery to the novel.
Romance — The novel contains a romantic subplot between Pip and Estella, a young woman he meets at the home of his benefactor. The relationship between the two characters is a major theme of the novel and drives the plot forward.
Social Criticism — The novel is a critique of Victorian society and its rigid class structure. Dickens uses the characters and plot to explore the injustices of the period and the effects of poverty on the lower classes.