Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Details
The questions for discussion:
- Why does Pip live with village blacksmith Joe Gargery? And, what is the relationship between Pip and Joe?
- Whom does Biddy suspect of assaulting Mrs. Joe, and why?
- Miss Havisham is obsessed with what event from the past?
- What are Pip’s “Great Expectations”?
- Why does Pip feel ashamed of Joe?
- How does Dickens critique the social class system of his time?
- What does it mean to be a Gentleman? Is there a difference in how those in “Great Expectations” define a gentleman and the way Dickens himself defines a gentleman?
- If Pip had not received his “Great Expectations” and never left Joe’s forge, how do you think his life would have been different?
- What is Miss Havisham’s Influence on the plot and story?
- Why do you think Pip changes his opinion of his benefactor, Magwitch?
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Great Expectations is a classic coming-of-age novel that explores themes of wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. In this unflaggingly suspenseful story. Pip is an orphan who is unexpectedly provided with wealth and an opportunity to rise in society, only to discover that true happiness and fulfillment lie not in material wealth but in personal integrity and human connection.
Written in the last decade of Dickens' life, Great Expectations was widely and universally admired. It was his last great novel, and many critics believe it to be his finest.
AGENDA:
12:00pm - Sign in via Zoom
12:05pm - Begin Discussion
1:50pm - Wrap up
2:00pm - Meeting Ends
To foster participation and interaction, questions will be posted a few days before the event. The Zoom link will be posted the morning of the event