Great Expectations – by Charles Dickens

“Great Expectations” written by the renowned author – Charles Dickens in mid nineteenth century, is a tome of literature. Dickens stick to his theme of child protagonist through the character of Phillip Pirrip(Pip) who’s life is transformed from the poor village boy apprenticed to a blacksmith, to an educated middle class city lad.

In an event of fulfillment of his dream to be a gentleman, supported by his unknown benefactor/benefactress, he does not show any infliction of being parted away from his dearest friends Joe, Biddy and his sister who brings her up. He leaves the country with the memories of Estella, an adopted daughter of Miss Havisham.

Through the apparent financial help from Mr. Jaggers a well established person in London, he leads financially comfortable life in the beginning but soon runs into debt. In the wake of different life of city, he could not rest his thoughts about Estella. With the help of his friend Herbert and his guide Wemmick he unravels the hidden secrets about Estella’s parentage. In spite of all his efforts he does not succeed in saving his benefactor Mr. Magwitch from being granted death sentence by the law.

After marriage of his love Estella he leads a life of solitude and despondency when Joe reappears and takes Pip out of his troubles by paying his debts and curing him in his illness. Pip then truly realizes his mistakes and visits back his country to see Joe and Biddy. He then returns to the city, truly transformed and leads a life of hard work to stand upto his requirements.

Though author’s description of various scenes and characters is extremely vivacious and vibrant but number of scenes run parallel and it becomes difficult for the reader to bind them all in one common thread and it deviates reader from the main central theme of the story.

Author’s description of Estella as an epitome of beauty and rich use of words in describing the characters of Havisham, Joe, Biddy and others is highly appreciable. The volume is a classic illustration of English literature and one wonders the dexterous use of it to make everything look so real. The vibrant us of expressions binds reader in the feeling of characters and make him(reader) feel for the them(characters)

In the end, I would say that this is the best novel to get a feel of expanse and classic use of English language. Though it needs great concentration to juxtapose various scenes running in parallel into one common theme, it is a best read for lover of English language.