Pip and his Brother-in-Law

In the beginning of the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip and Joe share a father-son relationship. Pip looks up to Joe and never wants to disappoint him. He has a sense of “admiration” for Joe, and Pip knew that he looks up “to Joe in [his] heart” (48). The two bond over their love-hate relationship with Mrs. Joe, Pip’s older sister.

However, this all changes when Pip meets Miss Havisham and is offered the opportunity to be a lawyer’s apprentice. When Joe and Pip are invited to go to the Satis house, Pip becomes self-conscious of his actions and is embarrassed that Joe will not address Miss Havisham himself.

Their relationship is slowly tearing apart and once Pip goes to London, it completely separates. Biddy sends Pip a letter while he is in London explaining that Mr. Wopsle and Joe are traveling to London and is wondering if perhaps Pip would like to meet up Joe. After receiving the letter, Pip feels “some mortification” to the idea of Joe’s dropping in (209). During his visit, Joe constantly calls Pip “Sir” and explains to Pip that there is now a “diwision” between them (215).

Pip’s new lifestyle is too luxurious for Joe to keep up with. The modifications in the pair also demonstrate Pip’s new personality. The relationship of the two characters changes drastically in just a few short characters from a close relationship to a relationship that wants nothing to do with the other person. In the upcoming chapters, it can be assumed that Mrs. Joe’s death will shape and define the relationship further.

Student Led Discussion by Debra

1. What specifically do you think Pip bought with the money he received?

·         R> I think Pip is actually being honest

·         E> I think he bought some furniture

·         R> I think he only bought necessities

·         D> He didn’t want to seem too greedy

·         R> He might not even know how much things are worth

·         E> quote on page 189

2)      What does Mr. Wemmick mean when he says, “I’ll give you punch, and not a bad punch” (211).

·         R> I think he is trying to say that Jagger is manipulative, where Mr. Wemmick is more honorable

·         E> I think he is comparing their wealth

·         R> Yeah, when Pip asked for fifty pounds he was like, Yeah! Sure!

3)      If Mr. Jagger’s watch is so valuable, why does no one try to steal it? What does this imply about his character?

·         E> I think it is not stolen because of Jagger’s reputation

·         R> Yeah, he is really creepy so people are afraid of him

·         E> I agree people are afraid to go to court with them

4)      What is Pip’s impression of Mr. Wemmick’s house? Why?

·         R> Pip thinks he is better than everyone else so he treats it like, “Oh, this lil’ shack.” He thinks he is a big shot but he isn’t. He just is not!

·         E> quote on page 197

·         R> He is dissin’ the whole farm thing too. Pip was handed everything on a “wooden plat” but it is not a nice plate it is warped and over washed with a little bit of mold on it.

5)      How does Pip’s view of Joe change?

·         E> Before he always looked up to Joe, but when he learned JoeA was coming to visit Pip was “mortified” by the idea. He was embarrassed of Joe.

·         R> He is embarrassed if Joe, he is like, “Oh he is just a lowly blacksmith”

·         E> Now Joe calls Pip “sir”

·         R> It used to be a father-son relationship, but now it is more like a servant-master kind of thing.

6)      Has Miss Havisham completely corrupted Pip, or does he still have hope?

·         R> I mean Miss Havisham has made Pip a mess. She is mentally insane.

·         D> Hope because he was a little sad when Joe left.

·         R> There is hope but not a lot. I don’t think Pip wants to turn his life around. Joe’s a big deal and Pip just brushes him aside.

7)      What is Pip’s fear after seeing the convicts?

·         E> I think his secret with unveil itself

·         R> if Estella finds out, then Pip is ruined. Pip will not be able to keep up his act.

·         D> He would be “common” again.

·         R> Yeah why is he still trying to get Estella, he has no chance.

·         E> HE totally forgot about Biddy!

·         R> Really dude? You have no chance.

·         D> Pip is not content but Biddy was

·         R> if Pip was content then Biddy would be a good match

8)      How have your thoughts of Miss Havisham’s motives changed or formed?

·         E> She is still just a jerk

·         R> She is still mentally insane and her motives are messed up.

Pip and Joe's Regression

Blog Post #2
Topic C
April 24th, 2015

Within the first 23 chapters, Joe and Pip's relationship goes through a significant change. In the very beginning of the novel, Joe is the person Pip goes to for everything. Joe is one of the only people Pip has a good relationship with. Topic C says to address “conflicts or growth” of significant character relationships. The relationship between the two has not grown in a good way, the two have grown apart from each other and their relationship has weakened.

In the discussion, we all agreed that Joe and Pip’s relationship was weakening, most likely at the fault of Pip’s desire for a different lifestyle. This desire for change becomes very evident when Miss Havisham requests to meet Joe and they have a less than perfect encounter. Pip is confused and embarrassed as to why Havisham wants to see Joe. Pip considers Joe “ignorant and common” and claims he doesn’t fit in with “his lifestyle” that he has since acquired from Miss Havisham and Estella (105). Pip’s embarrassment of Joe’s ways and lifestyle is something that is a major change from the first few chapters.

As we also discussed, Pip is trying so hard to impress Estella because he thinks he has a chance with her; this is another major reason for Pip and Joe’s relationship regression. Because Pip believes that he now lives a formal and elegant lifestyle, Joe’s common ways (which are technically still his too) are something he wants to hide from Estella. This embarrassment is not only extremely degrading to Joe, but also shows how Pip has become very snobby because of this “new” lifestyle that he doesn’t even truly have.

A New Perspective

A New Perspective

~Blog Post #2~

Topic B

April 24, 2015

By Debra Dunham

In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip begins as an orphaned boy content with his life and future. He loves Joe and cares about him, yet after he visits Miss Havisham, he begins to “feel ashamed of home,” (112). Instead of following Joe in being content with all he has, Pip begins to morph into the mindset of Mrs. Joe who always complains how she is a blacksmith’s wife.

When Pip visits Miss Havisham, he gets his first idea of how the wealthy live, and is called “a common labouring-boy” by Estella, whom he seems to fall in love with (63). After meeting her, Pip attempts to change his life from his own education, to the manners of his beloved Joe. In fact, he asks Biddy if she would help Joe with his manners as the way he acts “would not do him justice” in a higher social class (157). Pip expects and desires a luxurious life for himself with the opportunity he was handed.

He begins to think more like his sister as he spends more time with Miss Havisham and Estella. Pip finds himself looking down on everything in his life and believes his life to be to common. Mrs. Joe is discontent with her simple life just as Pip grows to desire an uncommon lifestyle. There is little information on Mrs. Joe’s early life, so it is a mystery as to how she acted when she was younger. She may even be more like Pip than first expected. Pip grew up contently and poor, but after encountering Miss Havisham he longs for a more lavish life. Similarly, Mrs. Joe longs to be wealthier, but is not given the chance. Perhaps she was influenced by someone comparable to Miss Havisham when she was Pip’s age.

Pip goes from an innocent young boy to a brat after he meets the depressed and insane Miss Havisham. Though his journey is not yet complete, it seems as though his life may not turn back around.

Pip's Snobby Attitude

Pip’s Snobby Attitude

~ Blog Post #2 ~

Topic B

April 24, 2015

By Anna Hoffman

In chapters twelve through twenty-four, we see a side of Pip that is different from the first few chapters. Pip continues to go to Miss Havisham’s home and begins to suspect that she is trying to help him become of a higher class. Eventually Pip finds out that that is not her intention and he becomes Joe’s apprentice. Because of this Pip is very upset and he doesn’t like the life his is living. He is constantly complaining to Biddy about how he wants more and it is easy to understand that Biddy is tired of hearing it.

Unexpectedly, Pip learns that he is to receive a large fortune from an unknown benefactor. Pip adopts a snobby attitude and thinks he is too good for the people he loves and his home. He even is cold to Biddy. When she asks him what was going on, Pip answered with, “I had come into great expectations from a mysterious patron” (Dickens138). Now because of these “great expectations” Pip is losing his good natured side and becoming an entirely new person. I believe that it is important to explore this because it is the first major change in Pip. I think Pip is acting snobby and selfish because he does not think he is good enough. Pip questions this himself, he knows that he is not disappointed in his fortune, rather he is, “dissatisfied with myself” (139). In order to make himself feel as though he belongs in the upper class, Pip tries to change his attitude to something more like Estella’s. Estella, other than Miss Havisham, is a woman of high class, and the only example Pip has seen, so it is not surprising to see Pip act like her.

This change in Pip’s attitude is a major event. Proceeding into the next chapters, it can be assumed that Pip’s new attitude will get him into trouble, and the Pip will eventually want to go back to his home in the marsh.

Reading Article Reflection

In Performative Literacy: The Habits of Mind of Highly Literate Readers by Sheridan Blau, we are learning about how a reader must go beyond just breezing over the text. We must examine and dig deeper to understand the true meaning.

When I read a book I am constantly trying to figure out what will happen next. Whenever I stumble upon something I am confused about I usually mark it with a question mark and come back to it after I finish reading, and see if I understand it then. Also, whenever I finish reading a chapter, I make bullet points in the book on the most important parts, then I title the chapter what I think would be a suitable name for what happens in it.

When I read on my own time instead of for school, I feel as though I enjoy it more. I love to read and this year I have already read over at least a dozen for leisure. But when I read these, I am not looking for a deeper meaning, I read it for entertainment. Of course I will make predictions, but that is part of the fun. On the other hand, when I read for school, I do not enjoy it as much. I see it more as a chore than anything else, but when Iread for school I discover more things that are significant to the text that I might have missed if I had just breezed over it. I believe that I am a good reader, but in order to become a stronger reader, I must think more deeply when reading for pleasure.

After reading these documents I will definitely take away some of the strategies they showed us, such as researching what is going on during the time the book takes place and gaining background. I feel that this will make me a better reader.

Annotating this year, in all honesty, was not as bad as last years. Last year I took me about ten minutes on each page trying to find some hidden meaning. This year I believe that I am only annotating the important parts, and I feel I am better at picking the better parts. After reading the books this year and annotating I feel like a better reader, because I know what I am looking for.

Playing Cards

Playing Cars
-Blog Post 1-
Topic G
April 17, 2015
by Anna Hoffman

In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens the symbol of playing cards shows up a couple of times in the text. When Pip goes to visit Miss Havisham’s manor, he is very confused and feels out of place. Miss Havisham forces Pip to play a game with Estella, and Pip chooses the game “Beggar My Neighbor” in this game the way you win is to have a card that has a higher denomination (58). This is symbolic because Pip is of a low class and Estella and Miss Havisham are considered high class. During their time together, Estella comments on Pip’s class ranking, and it makes Pip feel uncomfortable and he feels defeated. Estella makes comments on Pip’s appearances such as his “coarse hands” and his “thick boots,” which are signs of someone who has to do manual labor (59). She is having fun making Pip feel as low as possible and she makes a game out of this. Because Estella is of a higher class, or in playing card terms, of “higher denomination”, she feels like she will always win. The game continues but when Pip feels like giving up, Miss Havisham tells him, “play the game out” (60). In this particular quote there is some hidden meaning. I am predicting that Pip will run into a few more problems and will want to run away from him. But this will remind him that he needs to stay and finish the game, because no one is ever certain who will win in the beginning. There is always a chance for a game changing event.

Student Led Discussion by Anna

1. In Chapter 13, why does Pip feel uncomfortable at the Satis House with Joe?
Rachel- weird experience
Debra- he was confused why Havisham wanted Joe to be there and he felt awkward having Joe tell him rather than Miss Havisham the answers to her questions.

2. What fear involving Estella haunted Pip?
Elyse- he was afraid that she would despise him (used quote to support)
Anna- he didn't want to ruin his image
Debra and Rachel- wants to impress him

3. Why doesn't Pip run away from home even though he is unhappy?
Rachel- he doesn't want to leave Joe and he can't do much to change his own life
Debra- no place to go
Anna- Herbert got to run his life, Pip was given it to him on a silver platter (Rachel- "more like a plate. His life still sucks")
Anna- the Havishams screwed him over and Pip became snobby after meeting them

4. Why does the fight between Orlick and Joe become important? Was it a sign of Joe's love for his wife?
Anna- Mrs. Joe was out of character and she kind of cared
Debra- it shows that she is like the man of the house
Rachel- I forgot my point... one sec

5. Who do you think attacked Mrs. Joe?
Rachel- it was karma
Debra- could she have been influenced by a benefactor like Pip?
Rachel- Miss Havisham corrupted his life and made him wish for more
Anna- Havisham could have been working through Estella

6. Why do you think Dickens characterizes Mr. Jaggers as dark?
Rachel- his last name is Jaggers... like daggers
Debra- he could be foreshadowing that he will affect Pip's life negatively
Anna- he is sketchy and scares the judge

7. Who do you suspect gave Pip the fortune?
Debra- the convict because Pip helped him out
Rachel- the convicts are in jail
Anna- Pip saw someone give the convict the file. Could Mr. Jaggers be in with the convict?
Rachel- Havisham is too obvious and wants revenge (Anna stop interrupting)
Debra- the ex-fiance may want to get back by quelling her attempts to ruin Pip's life
Rachel- she could be mentally ill- she's insane!- finance helps to protect Pip from Havisham

8. Why does Havisham want Pip?
Debra- Pumblechook introduced Pip to Havisham to ruin his life and wants him to be like Mrs. Joe because he adores her
Anna- Mrs. Joe wants money
Rachel- unless she was ill, Mrs Joe would not send Pip to Havisham
Debra- the wine that Pumblechook always brings for Christmas is symbolic for poison
Rachel- but... but... but... this is not science fiction!
Debra- he uses this to get all these ideas into her head
Rachel- I'm done with this.

9. What is Pip's first impression of London? Does he hate his choice?
Rachel- it is a reality check for Pip and he realizes he would of been happier at home and should've stayed
Debra- he pictured Estella with him
Anna- he misses the marshes
Rachel- Like when people came to America- disappointment. He misses a part of himself; he's lost.
Debra- home is where the heart is

10. In what ways are Pip and Miss Pocket alike?
Anna- she will be a new mother figure for him because Mrs Joe was a dictator
Debra- their life is not quite as proper as the Havishams, but a good medium

The Dreamer in Pip

Charles Dickens uses the title, Great Expectations, in response to the dreams of the main character, Pip. When he visits the home of Miss Havisham for the first time, he is opened to the life of the upper class in 19^th century London and meets Estella. Pip can never go back to the way life was before his first experience in the high life. This inspired his dreams and expectations.

Pip realizes that he could do much more in his life than to be a blacksmith when he returns from the Havisham household. He desires to become a gentleman, and his wish magically comes true after receiving the message that his ‘“Great Expectations’” caught the eye of a lawyer who wants to make Pip his apprentice (133). Joe and Pip are overjoyed and for once “[his] wild fancy was surpassed by sober reality’” (133). This marks the first of his expectations occurring in real life.

At the same time as he realizes what he desires for his future occupation, Pip also discovers who he wants to marry, Estella. Although he is a young boy when he first meets her, he knows that she is special even if she doesn’t give him the time of day. This plot is not resolved by chapter twenty-three, but after reading the book summary, it can be assumed that his fancy for Estella will give him the chance that most never receive. Dickens names his novel after Pip’s great expectations to reveal that the impossible is sometimes possible and to reveal the themes of being hopeful and never giving up on your dreams.

Student Lead Discussion 1

April 20th, 2015

Discussion Leader: Elyse

Note Taker: Rachel

Question 1: Who is Pip?

Rachel: Pip is a young boy who is the main character in Great Expectations

Anna: Pip lives with his sister and her husband

Question 2: How old do you think Pip is?

Debra: He's probably around 10 because he steals from his sister and goes to the graveyard

Rachel: He seems young because he doesn't stand up to his sister

Anna: His punishment is the Tickler and he was on a "playdate"

Question 3: Describe the cemetery scene. What is the significance of the convict?

Anna: He's scared because the convict is threatening and intimidating

Debra: The two convicts are working together to survive

Elyse: Pip steals the food out of fear. But the convict also protects Pip by saying he stole the food, rather than Pip.

Question 4: How is the relationship between Joe and Pip? How does he use this to his advantage?

Debra: The two are really close and Mrs. Joe doesn't really care about Pip.

Anna: Joe is the only person Pip feels bad from Stealing from

Elyse: Joe uses their relationship to tell Pip how much Mrs. Joe cares for him.

Debra: Quote on page 51

Anna: They have a father/son relationship

Debra: Quote on page 47. It seems Joe cares much more than Pip's sister does.

Anna: Mrs. Joe doesn't care about Pip because she thinks she's better than everyone else.

Question 5: How is education in the Victorian Era? How is this evident?

Debra: Education wasn't important. People were more focused on survival

Elyse: You can see it in their dialogue

Anna: Education will become more important to Pip to because of Miss Havisham

Rachel: Because of Miss Havisham's wealth and importance education is probably more important to her so Pip will more likely improve upon his education.

Question 6: Who is Miss Havisham? What's the significance of the stopped clock? What could her plan for Pip be?

Rachel: I feel like the plan might be to improve upon Pip's education. Based on the title and cover of the book, it seems like his life will improve because of Miss Havisham. The cover gives the idea of a lavish lifestyle so the plan is the improvement.

Anna: The clock stop is the time that her groom left her at the after.

Debra: She was driven off the edge when she was left at the alter

Elyse: She is completely heart broken and this life event has really torn her to pieces

Question 7: What was the significance of the Kiss on the cheek

Anna: He was kind of ashamed. There was no love intention

Elyse: It was something because she was trying to be polite and only doing it because she had to.

Question 8: What do the marshes represent?

Anna: At first it's creepy and represents uncertainty.

Debra: Marshes are unknown. You don't know what's there.

Elyse: It also serves as foreshadowing and something will happen at the marshes.

Debra: When talking about a potential proposal, it would represent an uncertain relationship that could be a bit risky.

*Some questions were combined

Reading Reflection

In Performative Literacy: The Habits of Mind of Highly Literate Readers, Sheridan Blau takes traditional literary methods and thoughts and flips them one hundred eighty degrees. This extreme focus on the fundamentals of reading has changed a simple source of pleasure to a task that, to many people, has become a chore. 

 For me, the task of reading has now become a chore. I used to enjoy diving into another world with endless possibilities on the pages of a novel but now, not so much. I feel a lot of pressure to understand every word I read as well as annotate and be prepared to answer any possible question about the text. While reading a book for school, I struggle to understand text as I reread over and over with a pencil in hand, prepared to mark down the slightest details. The annotations come as a struggle as well. Personally, I like to make mental notes rather than interrupt my reading. Though the concept of annotations is nothing new, I have never liked it because it takes away from a good novel as it interrupts my focus, which Blau claims is so very important.

To help my reading, I can try to capitalize on things I already excel at such as rereading as an assurance that I understand what’s going on; as well as working on things like focusing my attention to the text and text only while I maintain useful note taking that can be later used in writing.