Great Expectations

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Great Expectations

Author	Charles Dickens
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Genre	Bildungsroman
Publisher	Chapman & Hall
Publication date	1861
Media type	Print

Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens that was first published in serial form in All the Year Round from 1860 to 1861 and issued in book form in 1861. The novel is a coming-of-age story that depicts the personal growth and personal development of an orphan named Pip.

Plot Summary

The story is set in Kent and London in the early to mid-19th century and follows the life of Pip, an orphan who is raised by his sister Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband Joe Gargery. Pip's life changes when he meets an escaped convict named Abel Magwitch, who later becomes his secret benefactor. Pip is also influenced by the eccentric Miss Havisham and her beautiful but cold-hearted ward, Estella.

Characters

• Pip: The protagonist and narrator of the novel.
• Joe Gargery: Pip's brother-in-law and a blacksmith.
• Mrs. Joe Gargery: Pip's sister who raises him after their parents' death.
• Abel Magwitch: An escaped convict who becomes Pip's secret benefactor.
• Miss Havisham: A wealthy, eccentric old woman who was jilted at the altar.
• Estella: Miss Havisham's beautiful but cold-hearted ward.
• Herbert Pocket: Pip's close friend.
• Jaggers: A lawyer who oversees Pip's "great expectations."
• Wemmick: Jaggers' clerk, who has a dual personality.

Themes

The novel explores themes such as social class, ambition, and self-improvement. It also delves into the idea of guilt and redemption, as well as the impact of wealth and poverty on human relationships.

Adaptations

Great Expectations has been adapted numerous times for film, television, and stage. Some notable adaptations include the 1946 film directed by David Lean, the 1998 film starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow, and the 2011 BBC television series.

Related Pages

• Charles Dickens
• Bildungsroman
• Victorian literature
• All the Year Round
• David Lean

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