Thomas Olson-Blog Post 5 Topic G

                                                                   The Symbol of the Satis House          

                                                                                            -Blog Post 5-

                                                                                                  Topic G

                                                                                        by Thomas Olson

In Charles Dickens' Great Expectations,The Satis House is the home of Mrs. Havisham and Estella;however, the house is a symbol of Mrs. Havisham’s life.  The house itself is a beautiful Gothic manor that gives Pip the idea of how the wealthy are in life, which is a romanticized vision of the wealthy, and this plays into Pip’s idea of becoming a gentleman.  Also attached to the house is a brewery which represents the fact that Mrs. Havisham’s wealth did not come from an old fortune, but rather from the Industrial Revolution. The exterior and interior of the house represents how Mrs. Havisham’s being scammed has affected her life because on the interior of the house it is a time capsule with Mrs. Havisham at the center; the exterior of the house is new, but is not maintained well and it gives an impression that this place is frozen in time with ivy that “ much of it trailed low in the dust and was withered away already” (430). When Mrs. Havisham dies the Satis House is auctioned off all of its materials inside and outside the house. This represents the death of Mrs. Havisham and the fact that her time capsule of a house has fallen with all of her woes being carried out of it. When Pip returns and the house is completely gone with the exception of the wall of the garden, and this shows that Mrs. Havisham’s spirit has gone away from the house because her house made into a prison has fallen ;also, the wall represents Estella who has had a difficult life after she left the house, and the garden is where Pip fought Herbert which one of Estella's favorite memories of the Satis House.

Blog Post #5: Great Expectations Tend to be Crushed

Ethan Seidenberg

Blog Post #5

Topic B

Great Expectations Tend to be Crushed

With Pip harboring such great expectations, it is natural that they would be crushed to some extent, as even the best-laid plans may yet fall through. In one case, Pip's love and desire for Estella is utterly crushed, as she wishes to marry Drummle, who Pip despises as "such a mean brute, such a stupid brute" (402). Mainly, his anger and even sorrow comes from the fact that despite the fact that he loved Estella, and Drummle "has not loved you as long, as I [Pip]" (401). As a result, Pip's self-esteem plummets. With time, Pip also begins to see that this luxurious world that he knows begins to fall apart in a sense, as Pip himself even states that "my worldly affairs began to wear a gloomy appearance" (422). Additionally, Pip even admits, "It was an unhappy life that I lived" in regards to the deplorable quality of his life. His life is plagued by" anxiety, towering over all its other anxieties like a high mountain above a range of mountains, never disappeared from my view" (422). Due to Pip's world figuratively falling apart, he is unsure of what to do, as he was often supported by his wealth, social class, or even his previously unknown benefactor: the convict Magwitch (the convict that Pip helped escape in his youth). However, because essentially everything in his life is falling apart, even factors that would formerly support him are being eliminated. This causes Pip to spiral into an emotional maelstrom, due to his great expectations finally being crushed.

Marie Kapelevich~ Topic A ~ A quote from Pip Pirrip

“Dear Magwitch, I must tell you, now at last. You understand what I say?”
A gentle pressure on my hand.
“You had a child once, whom you loved and lost.”
A stronger pressure on my hand.
“She lived and found powerful friends. She is living now. She is a lady and very beautiful. And I love her!” (883).


From the Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Magwitch, Pip's benefactor, is going to die due to the abundant crimes he commits in the past, and this quote, that is said by Pip, portrays his realization of what the meaning of his life is all about. All his life he believes that becoming a gentleman is what really matters to him, and it all began with the girl he meets in Miss Havisham's home. Estella would constantly tease him for being a commoner, and Pip wants to prove her wrong by changing his social class. He once finds it truly displeasing to be in his minuscule home, which he used to like "once, but once was not now" (651). The irony here is that he no longer is he enjoying his accomplishment of becoming a wealthier man. As he speaks to Magwitch for a final time, he tells him about his daughter Estella, and realizes that becoming a gentleman is not what he desires after all. Pip discerns that love and friendship is most important to him. He needs his friend Magwitch to know that it is because of him that he is able to finally understand his purpose of life. All in all, this quote indicates a major turning point to Pip's character as the Great Expectations' story climbs to the conclusion.

Kaitlin Shibovich~ Blog post #5~ Topic B

Pip’s Change

~Blog post #5~

Topic B

May 13, 2015

By: Kaitlin Shibovich

            In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip looks back on his past, reflecting on the change that overcomes him as a gentleman.  As a young boy, Pip looks up to Joe and sees his trade as a “glowing road to manhood and independence” (112). The dream to work with Joe is short lived as Pip sees how wealthy Miss Havisham lives. He begins creating high expectations for himself to become a gentleman and when hearing of his travel to London, he doesn’t think twice. Pip, later in the novel, reflects on his quick change of heart and mind, “I had grown accustomed to my expectations, I had insensibly begun to notice their effect upon myself and those around me” (289). He begins to realize the “influence on [his] own character” knowing “very well that it was not all good” (289). Pip is internally challenged when he is overcome by doubt. He looks back on the idea of being “partners with Joe in the honest old forge” thinking, “I should have been happier and better” (289). Pip changes from being a child looking up to his elder, to following and accomplishing his large dream of becoming a gentleman only to be found reflecting back on his past in doubt. He expresses dramatic changes in personality and thought throughout the novel. Pip discovers one of his many changes while reflecting on the past as a well brought up gentleman in Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens.

Thomas Olson-Blog Post 4 Topic B

                                                                Estella's is Her Own Person Now
                                                                      -Blog Post #4-
                                                                        Topic B
                                                                       By Thomas Olson
Thomas Olson
Mrs .Molyneaux
English H, B
8 May 2015
                                   
    In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Estella, who Pip loves and wants to marry, undergoes a major change to her character. Her major change is that she now goes against the wishes of her adopted mother, Mrs. Havisham, and starts to become her own person. Before her change, Estella followed Mrs. Havisham and did whatever she wanted, which usually was just stay by her and entertain her. It also seems that Estella loves Pip to some degree though not as much as he loves her; however, this is not the case. For instance, when Pip professes his love to her, she knows what he means, but this stirs up no emotion for her because she doesn’t “care for what you say at all” (329). Mrs. Havisham allows Pip to think that Estella loves him because she wants Estella to love Pip. Instead Estella says that she will marry Drummle, which is her own decision and not what Mrs. Havisham desires. Another example is when Pip visits the Satis House in chapter thirty-eight. Estella and Mrs. Havisham are talking and when Pip arrives, Estella leaves Mrs. Havisham and talks back to her. Mrs. Havisham cries and feels separation anxiety when Estella leaves.
    In short, Estella becomes her own, new person that is entirely different from Mrs Havisham’s expectations of how Estella should be. This change is exemplified in her actions, which are entirely different from her normal actions. All of this steps show her maturing into her own person.
    

Marie Kapelevich~ Topic B

In Charles Dickens' the Great Expectations, Miss Havisham, who is always lost in grief and betrayal, finally begins to recognize that she has allowed another being to perceive her pain as well. She discerns herself in Pip the "looking-glass" in front of her, and reveals that Pip is "what [she] once felt [herself]" (843). Pip's current emotions about Estella reflect upon her past event of her abandoned wedding day. Previously, Miss Havisham would only pity herself alone, and she tries to protect Estella from the agony she feels, but her mood set an example for the girl, which ultimately transforms her into her disloyal fiancé, Compeyson. In other words, Estella hurts Pip the way Compeyson has hurt Miss Havisham. To Pip's amazement, Miss Havisham "dropped on her knees" at his feet in a manner  of guilt and solicitude for him (842).  In addition, Miss Havisham constantly repeats, "what have I done!" to show the sorrow of her lack of suspicion she had all this time of what she was doing and saying (842). She is now alone, for Estella has left her for marriage, and Pip will now go in a similar cycle as hers. Currently, Miss Havisham feels as if she is punished for her vanity and self concern for what someone has done to her awhile ago, and it affects the people she cares for the most. In essence, Miss Havisham finally decides to make amends in herself, due to the wrong she discovers within her soul.

Blog Post #4: A Game of Cat and Mouse: Pip and Estella

Blog Post #4
Topic C

A Game of Cat and Mouse: Pip and Estella

The relationship between Pip and Estella is quite an interesting one. As Pip seemingly begins to advance his relationship with Estella, it always seems as if he is pushed away. This happens in several events, such as when Estella does not wish to interact with Pip at a party, and instead wishes to converse with other suitors. However, Pip and Estella's relationship truly becomes strained when Estella decides to marry Drummle. Upon hearing of this, Pip exclaims, "You cannot love him, Estella" (400). Additionally, Pip proclaims his evident love for Estella, as he declares that "he [Drummle] has not love you as long, as I" (401). When this tactic does not work, he then begins to insult Drummle, calling him a "mean brute, such a stupid brute"(402). Unfortunately, Estella remains decisive in her decision to marry Drummle, despite Pip's objections. As a result, Pip spirals into an emotional maelstrom, seemingly betrayed by the love of his life, who he always kept on his mind. With his relationship severely weakened, if not essentially broken, Pip feels absolutely dreadful, due to the pain inflicted upon by betrayal, caused by the facade of love that he seemingly had with Estella.

Kaitlin Shibovich~ blog post #4~ Topic J

True Meaning of Great Expectations

~Blog Post #4~

Topic J

May 6, 2015

By Kaitlin Shibovich

            Every individual has their own expectations and goals in life. For Pip, it was to become a gentleman in a large city. However, moving through Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip’s dreams and expectations quickly crumble lowering his confidence dramatically making the title of the book itself, a joke on Pip. As Pip took off to London, he became notoriously confident in his expectations of becoming a gentleman in this large city. Upon arriving with Mr. Wemmick, Pip sees London up close for the first time and is found disheveled, “so imperfect was this realization of the first of my great expectations that I looked in dismay” (181). He has his perfect vision of how his new life is going to be and look like, but when he arrived, Pip is left disappointed “looking out, saying to [himself] that London was decidedly overrated” (182). Charles Dickens uses the title as a joke on Pip’s disappointment when seeing the real London. As the story progresses, Pip begins to grow less confident as his goals and expectations are slowly being destroyed, “for me, who have now no expectations-and I have been bred to no calling, and I am fit for nothing” (362). He admits that he is giving up hope on his future. At first, the novel follows along with the title by building up all of Pip’s dreams, but in the end, leaving him crushed emotionally. The title, Great Expectations, humiliates Pip and is used as a joke when his future goals and self-esteem come crashing down in Charles Dickens’ novel.  

Thomas Olson-Blog post 3- Topic C

                                                                   Relationships Change
                                                                         -Blog Post #3-
                                                                             Topic C
                                                                       By Thomas Olson
Thomas Olson
Mrs. Molyneaux
Soph English, B
1 May 2015
                    Topic C
In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Pip wants to become a gentleman and starts to not want to be around Joe, the only person who Pip respects back at his home. Moreover, Pip hides this from Joe because Pip does not like the fact that he hates his home and he thinks he is being ungrateful. Pip does not hide this well enough and Joe sees through this and he changes how he acts to try to impress Pip. This causes a conflict between Pip and Joe when Joe visits Pip in London. Joe tries to behave like he thinks Pip would want him to, which is like a gentleman; however, Joe misses some important social queues and also mispronounces several words. Not only is Joe with Pip but also Herbert Pocket, one of Pip’s respected friends, who serves them dinner. Pip feels more embarrassed and felt “heartily glad” when Herbert left (201). Pip “neither had the good sense nor the good feeling to know” if he caused Joe’s forced failed change to a fake gentleman and this weighs on Pip’s conscience. When Joe leaves Pip, who is very embarrassed, Joe knowing of his failed gentlemanly appearance decides to leave because of the conflict he caused. Pip tried to find Joe but “he was gone” (203).
    In short, Joe creates a conflict between him, Herbert, and Pip accidentally, which ends their relationship of respect and friendship all because of Pip’s need to become a gentleman.

Blog Post #3 The Heart of Estella (or perhaps lack of...)

Blog Post #3
Topic D

The Heart of Estella (or perhaps lack of...)

The heart of Estella is an interesting object within the world of "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. With Estella having been raised by the intriguing Ms. Havisham, she has taken on some of her characteristics, and has a result, Estella "lacks" a heart of her own, and possesses one more similar to the nature of Ms. Havisham. Pip remarks on Estella's similarities to Ms. Havisham as he sees "in some of her looks and gestures there was that tinge of resemblance to Ms. Havisham" (263). She even admits her lack of a heart in a conversation she has with Pip in Ms. Havisham's garden when she states that "I have no heart- if that has anything to do with my memory" (263). However, this is purely metaphorical, as Estella elaborates, "Oh! I have a hear to be stabbed in or shot in, I have no doubt... But you know what I mean. I have no softness there, no- sympathy- sentiment- nonsense" (263). However, Pip remains incredulous at such a claim, yet Estella continues to declare her lack of emotions to Pip, and even says "no" to the love he has shown her. This due to the fact that Estella has not "bestowed her tenderness anywhere. I have never had such thing" (264). Ms. Havisham realizes this about Estella's nature, and wishes for Estella to know love, as Ms. Havisham claims to have adopted Estella "to be loved. I bred her and educated her to be loved and even commands Pip to "love her, love her, love her" (265). Even though Estella has begun to adopt some of Ms. Havisham's characteristics as a result of being her foster child, Ms. Havisham wishes for Estella to know love. She allows Pip to continue his advances towards Estella, so as to prevent Estella from not only lacking a heart emotionally, but perhaps physically as well given time.

Marie Kapelevich~Topic C

It's a small world after all. In Charles Dickens' book, the Great Expectations, Pip's convict searches for him; in order to repay his dept for Pip's good deed for him. Pip reunites with the convict, who he previously saves as a child, and they form a bond with one another. Many years has gone by, and Pip is now an adult who is trying to succeed as a gentleman. After searching for the boy so long, the convict finally stumbles upon Pip. He addresses himself as Magwitch, and he claims that Pip "is the gentleman what [he] made"(798). In other words, Magwitch is the "benefactor so long unknown to [Pip]," and Miss Havisham is not the person who he has supposed was his supporter all these years (800). From the very beginning, Magwitch has been wanting to return the favor for him, and Pip gladly obliges his request, but still worries if Magwitch is to be caught by the police, for he is a criminal. Being so uneasy for his newly current benefactor, Pip gives him a new name, "Uncle Provis," to keep Magwitches identity safe, even though the citizens of London are not able to identify  him as an inmate. Overall, it seems to be that both Pip and Magwitch desire to help one another, and have kept a bond with each other for many years, even though Pip never really realizes until now.