Great Expectations: Character Analysis

The word pip, a name used by Charles Dickens in Great Expectations, has many different meanings. One meaning is "Something small" which can be Charles Dickens saying Pip is useless, unnoticed, meaningless. Another definition of the word pip is "Some sort of a contagious disease." If this was the definition Charles Dickens was referring to when choosing Pip's name, then he was probably trying to tell the reader that Pip isn't going to turn out too great so he isn't the kind of person anyone would want to be around. A third interpretation of the word is to break out of a shell as a baby bird. This could mean that Pip, once a mindless, motionless "egg", may some day turn into something great and beautiful. The next meaning of the word pip is to "defeat". This pip comes from British slang so Charles Dickens may have been familiar with this world. If he used it with the definition "to defeat" in mind then he may have been saying that Pip will come out on top. I believe Dickens had the "to defeat" or the "to hatch" definition in mind when choosing Pip's name because Dickens has "GREAT EXPECTATIONS" for Pip and for his life.

Improvement or Regression

The Industrial Revolution affected social, economical, and political aspects of society. When the Industrial Revolution began in England in the eighteenth century, the amount of trade increased and prices dropped. However illness and death did occur because of poor working conditions. The social life of many people changed because many moved to cities, bought more goods, and obtained better jobs along with new business techniques. Railroads were able to be constructed more easily because of all the iron and other metals being mass produced. This furtherance made trade easy and quick. Many World economies developed dramatically because of the movement from agriculture to manufacturing. Moreover, the World's technology advanced causing larger, more destructive wars (Revolutionary, Civil, and the World Wars). Other political aspects affected by the Industrial Revolution include more people were allowed to vote. Better health care systems were established. Also property rights for big companies were initiated allowing big businesses to manufacture more easily. The Industrial Revolution had both negative and positive affects on society. Which outweighed which?

Charles Dickens

The imagination and creativity of Charles Dickens is what funded the joy and pleasure in his life. Moreover his life was far from ideal, however he used his experience of life to show the world his views. He explained through his writing what he believed were the complications of the world at the time of the industrial revolution. Charles Dickens's liturature and life are both direct symbols of his time period.