Before I had even begun reading Great Expectations, I had a feeling that it would be a boring book that could not keep my attention, thus I would not enjoy it. Those feelings were probably due to my past experiences of receiving books written during earlier time periods than my own, only to find a story written in my first learned language, yet not the same language I speak. Since it was written long ago, these books were not the same as what I was used to, and I came to find them distasteful and aggravating to read.
However, with my low standards for Great Expectations, I was very surprised to find how much I enjoyed reading it. The language was not too difficult and the story was able to keep my attention, compared to something such as, Paul’s Case, where I found myself lost while reading because of the way it was written. Great Expectations was more straightforward- especially since it was from the point of view of first person- and easier to understand than Paul’s Case.
Though the story takes place during a different time period and possibly different country, I still find myself relating with the narrator, Pip. For example, when Pip feels the guilt taking over him as he watches Uncle Pumblechook drink tar-water instead of brandy because Pip had switched them, I had felt the same way before. Pip felt anxious, preparing himself for consequences, and then feeling relief sweep over him. I had not been through the same situation, but the feelings are familiar.
I think I was also able to stay with the story because the point of view was of Pip’s. With a child’s point of view, I could recall the same feelings and similar situations of his. If the story were from the point of view of someone like the convict that Pip brings the food and file to, I would have possibly had difficulty relating.
I truly found the figurative language to be fascinating, and I was really able to get an image in my mind. For example, on page 15 in the first paragraph, it says, “I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.” I was able to imagine the goblin as well as the window, and also the mood. The choice of how the simile was done was probably affected by the character that said it, which was Pip, and had added to my relating to the character and story.
Mrs. Joe Gargery seems to be a prominent character throughout the first eight chapters, and also a character that I did not expect. She is Pip’s older sister, as well as caretaker, and wife to blacksmith Joe Gargery. She is also a very dominating woman with a tendency to be snappy in an extreme way. I was surprised she acted this way on her own husband, because during that time, men were usually the dominant ones in the relationships, and Joe Gargery seems to put up no fight to her terror. I also don’t understand why she must be as horrible as she is, making me ask if something had happened to her in the past.
I find that the convict and Hulks add so much to the story, that without them, the story would only be half of what it is. The convict and Hulks brings mystery, suspense, and questions that make you want to know more. Still, already past eight chapters, I feel I know only a little about both subjects, and both are extremely intriguing. I also wonder- and hope- they will tie into the story and Pip later, because they add that much to the story.
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