Great Expectations Novel Study Guide

Readings and due dates listed below

Reading Due Dates (come to class with
readings complete) You may of course
read ahead and turn in your questions
ahead of time!

Question Due Dates- Questions and other

assignments are always due on the 4th day of
the week.

Week of January 14th-18th

Chapters 1-10

1st day- In class reading chapter 1-2 (left over

for hwk along with 3-4)
2nd 3-4
3rd 5
4th 6-7
Weekend readings 8-10
Week Jan. 21-25

Chapters 11-19

1st- no school (HWK reading due)

2nd 11-13
3rd1 14-15
4th 16-17
Weekend hwk 18-22
Week Jan.28- Feb. 1st

Chapters 20-31 questions & vocabulary assignment

1st chapters (HWK reading due)

2nd 23-24
3rd 25-26
4th 27-28
Weekend readings 29-33
Week of Feb. 4th -8th

Chapters 32-45 questions & vocabulary assignment

1st no school (32-33) Weekend reading due

2nd 34-37
3rd 38-39
4th 40
Weekend hwk chapters 41-52 (lots of
reading!)
Week of Feb 11-15
1st- Weekend reading due
2nd 53- 54
3rd 55-56
4th 57-59

British Literature Block A each Thursday

British Literature Block F each Friday
questions & vocabulary assignment

questions & vocabulary assignment

Chapters 46-59 questions and vocabulary

assignments

CHAPTER ALLUSION/ UNFAMILIAR TERM MEANING/HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1 a great iron Leg-iron, such as one worn by prisoners
1 wittles Vittles, or food
2 Hercules Greek god with extraordinary strength
2 freemasonry Associated with the Freemasons fraternal organization, freemasonry has come to mean fellowship or
sympathy
4 the prodigal The Prodigal Son of the New Testament spends his inheritance lavishly, but who is welcomed openly by his
father upon his return. See Luke 15:11-32
10 Richard the Third Dramatic play written by Shakespeare about a king of England
22 half price to the theater Admission to plays was reduced after the first performance in the evening

23 Woolsack A seat in the House of Lords, Lord Chancellor (also called the mitre, or bishops hat)
24 Old Bailey The criminal court in London
25 gothic Dramatic, medieval style. In Europe there was a revival of gothic architecture during the 1860s. As an adjective,
gothic means remote, mysterious, and macabre
28 half-way house Roadside inn that serves as the mid-way point of a coachmans journey
28 Telemachus In Greek mythology, Telemachus was the son of Penelope and Odysseus who conspired with his father to kill
his mothers suitors
28 Verb. Sap Latin for, To a wise man, a word is good enough
31 Hamlet Play by Shakespeare about a teenage prince of Denmark who finds out from a ghost that his mother conspired to
kill his father
36 came of age Turned 21 years old; became an adult legally
37 Union Jack Symbol on the British flag
48 over the broomstick Not legally married, or married only by common law
48 Hounslow Heath Area just west of London
54 custom ouse Customhouse, where taxes are paid by ships taking goods in or out of a country
54 public house Saloon or bar
BACKGROUND
Dickens described Great Expectations as a combination of comedy and tragedy, and many critics agree with
his assessment. Pip, the narrator of the novel, encounters many characters who are humorous and often
cartoon-like in their quirks and foibles. At the same time, they are tragic in their unhappiness or their
lack of moral vision. There is also tragedy in the characters who live quietly moral lives, but who cannot
earn respect and make their way in the world. Descriptions of Pips childhood show the comic and tragic
nature of the novel particularly well. Dickens, who himself was affected deeply by the difficult turn of
events in his own childhood, tries to help readers understand the sensitive, thoughtful world of a child living
under difficult circumstances. Pips childish reactions to certain people and situations are humorous
and endearing. As you read, however, look for the underlying tragic aspects of Pips childhood.
Social Satire
Satire is literature that uses humor or sarcasm to ridicule human vices or follies. Dickens was interested
in social reform, and passages of the novel often reflect his feelings toward people and institutions in
nineteenth-century English society. Dickenss satire emerges in his colorful descriptions of characters,
places, and events. Sometimes even the names of Dickenss characters are satirical. In this section and in
the rest of the novel, you will encounter names that sound foolish, contain puns or plays on words, or
suggest sounds.

CHAPTERS 1-10
VOCABULARY PREVIEW
capricious adj. unpredictable; inconsistent
conciliatory adj. intended to restore harmony or goodwill
felicitous adj. happy
imprecations n. curses
incomprehensible adj. incapable of being understood
penitent n. person who repents sin under the direction of a religious confessor
perspicuity n. clearness
remonstrance n. criticism
trifle n. small amount

Reading Questions

Directions: Record the answers to these questions as you read, all answers should be in complete thoughtfully
constructed sentences.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

What is Pip doing when the story opens?

How does the author hook readers immediately?
From whose point of view is the story told? What is unusual about the way the author has
used this point of view?
Describe Mrs. Joes treatment of Pip. In what ways is Pips relationship with Joe different
from his relationship with his sister?
After the convict is caught, what does he say to protect Pip? How does Pip feel about his
actions toward the convict? What do these feelings tell you about Pip?
8. Why is Pip sent to the home of Miss Havisham? How does Pip feel after he leaves, and why does he decide to lie
about his experiences there?
9. Evaluate Dickenss portrayal of Pip. In your opinion, is Pip a believable character? Does he behave in ways that a real
child in similar circumstances might behave? Support your opinion with evidence from the novel.
Recalling your response to the GE Journal #1, how do you think the people and incidents in this selection would have
affected you when you were a child? Do you identify with Pips reactions? Why or why not?

CHAPTERS 11- 19

VOCABULARY PREVIEW
clemency n. mercy; forgiveness
disconcerted adj. confused
latent adj. hidden; undeveloped
malignant adj. evil; bitter

manifest v. to display
pervade v. to spread throughout
retributive adj. done as a penalty or punishment
stipulations n. terms or conditions of an agreement
trepidation n. uneasiness

Reading Questions
10. How do you feel about what happens to Pip at the end of this section? Do you think he will regret making this life
change? Why or why not?
11. Briefly describe Camilla. Why is she so attentive to Miss Havisham? What aspects of upper-class society might
Dickens be satirizing in his portrayal of Camilla?
12. Describe the incident involving Pip and the young gentleman in Miss Havishams garden.
13. What prompts Pips actions, and how does he feel about himself later?
14. Why does Miss Havishan command Joe and Pip to meet with her? What does Pips attitude toward her offer reveal
about his changing sense of values?
15. Who is the mysterious stranger that visits Pip at the pub? What are Pips expectations on learning about the reason for
the mans visit?
16. What conflicting feelings does Pip have as he moves toward a new life? Why does he have such mixed feelings?
17. Recall your response to the Journal GE #1. Do you think Pips actions and feelings toward Joe are selfish, or
understandable?

CHAPTERS 20-31
Background
Hamlet
Hamlet, William Shakespeares most popular tragedy, is set in Denmark. As the play opens, Prince Hamlet
is visited by the ghost of his father, King Hamlet, who was recently murdered and seeks revenge. Prince
Hamlet agrees to carry out the ghosts wishes and kill the murderer, but when the opportunity presents
itself the prince stops short of the act. Wracked by guilt, Prince Hamlet finally avenges his fathers death
but is himself killed in the process. As you read the scene in which Pip dreams about Hamlet, think about

his own feelings of guilt and his descriptions of the ghostly Miss Havisham.

VOCABULARY PREVIEW
depreciation n. ridicule; belittlement
dexterously adv. skillfully
diffidence n. shyness
impetuosity n. reckless enthusiasm

judicious adj. wise; discreet

pernicious adj. harmful; deadly
prodigious adj. gigantic
supplicant n. someone who begs
zealous adj. eager

Reading Questions
18. What feelings toward Pip did you experience while reading? In what ways do you think he has changed?
19. Describe Jaggerss work and home life. What is Pip implying about Jaggerss personality when he says that
he seemed to bully his very sandwich as he ate it?
20. Briefly describe the incident that caused Miss Havisham to stop her clocks and become a recluse. What part
might this incident have played in her desire to bring Estella and Pip together?
21. How does Pip feel when he hears that Joe is coming to visit? Why does Pip feel this way?
22. What plans does Pip believe Miss Havisham has for him? Why does he believe this?
23. When Pip returns to Satis House to visit Estella and Miss Havisham, he feels some guilt for not visiting Joe.
Do you think Dickens wants readers to believe Pip is selfish, or that Pip is hopelessly distracted by his love
for Estella? Explain your response.
24. As his visit with Pip is ending, Joe says, Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded
together . . . Diwisions among such must come, and must be met as they come. What does he mean in terms
of his and Pips relationship? In your opinion, whose behavior during the visit was more admirable, Joes or
Pips? Explain.

Chapters 32-45
Background
Did You Know?
In the early 1800s in England, many convicts were still placed on boats and sent out of the country. In 1597
Parliament passed An Act for the Punishment of Rogues, Vagabonds, and Sturdy Beggars. This act called
for beggars to be sent to their birthplaces and jailed until they could be put to work. The act called for more
serious criminals to be conveyed unto such parts beyond the sea as shall at any time hereafter for that purpose
be assigned . . . This allowed the transportation of criminals to British colonies in what are now the
United States and Australia. A penal colony for British convicts was established in 1788 in Australia.
Foreshadowing is the use of clues by the author to prepare readers for events that will happen later in the
story. Dickens uses this technique throughout Great Expectations. For example, when Pip first sees Jaggers,
he is a mysterious stranger who brushes by Pip at Miss Havishams home. Jaggers raises questions in Pips
mind and the minds of readers, and his presence hints that something is about to happen to Pip. As the
novel progresses, pay special attention to clues introduced by characters that indicate how mysteries in the
novel will be resolved.

VOCABULARY PREVIEW
fidelity n. loyalty; faithfulness
larceny n. theft
melanchol adj. depressed; sad
meritorious adj. noble; worthy

predecessors n. someone or something that came before

spasmodic adj. irregular
subordinate n. assistant; of lower rank
superfluous adj. extra; excessive

Reading Questions
25. Which passages from this section did you find most moving and most effective in illustrating Pips situation?

26. How does Pip react to driving by the prison with Estella? What does Pips reaction indicate about his image of Estella
as a person?
27. What news does Magwitch bring to Pip? How does Magwitchs information affect Pip?
28. What one financial request does Pip make of Miss Havisham? What does this request indicate about his character?
29. How does Pip feel about himself as a gentleman when he no longer has his money?
30. What values of Pips society is Dickens criticizing by calling attention to Pips feelings?
31. Do you agree that Pip should no longer benefit from Magwitchs money? Why or why not?

Chapters 46-59
VOCABULARY PREVIEW
acquiescence n. agreement; consent
beguile v. to trick; to deceive
demeanor n. behavior
despondent adj. depressed
eloquence n. expressiveness

entreat v. to beg
obdurate adj. firm
repugnance n. distaste
tremulous adj. timid; cowardly
truculent adj. fierce

32. Describe Miss Havishams behavior when Pip visits her. How has their relationship changed?
33. What happens to Magwitch? How does Pip begin to feel toward Magwitch?
34. What does Joe do for Pip? How does Pip feel about himself and his actions after Joe leaves?
35. Why does Dickens return Pip to the countryside of his youth? What theme does this turn of events
emphasize?
36. What is your interpretation of the last line of the book, where Pip states I saw no shadow of another parting
from her.