"Great Expectations" Lecture Notes

• bildungsroman: novel of edu. > transformation of child to adolescent to adult > no clear marker throughout all cultures, races, nations, etc.
• fantasy story/ fairy tale
• trans. for Pip: desires fulfilled (pure, hope) > work, sacrifices
• strong sense of being unwanted > sensitive to others (more mature than other kids)
• feels above an apprenticeship, wants to work for more than just a living
• feels as though he is wicked or has a wicked beginning > doesn't know what normal is
• male characters > fill void, adopts them as role models > uses the male role models to "try on" their way of being and way of life > Pip reflects his role models*
• Havisham > "Have-a-sham" (fraud) OR "Have shame" >> left at altar, memorialize dead hope and betrayals > represents LOSS > dual meaning: fairy godmother (adopts Estella) and a symbol of decay
• Estella is Ms. Havisham's revenge > man hater
• Magwitch >prisoner, "animal," represents Pip's potential in an animalistic sense > Pip fears that he is as Magwitch (guilty and evil) > contact with Magwitch intensifies his fear 
• Pip feels uncomfortable in both situations > reason his descriptions are inaccurate
• Pip allows himself to be defined by what he has instead of who he is*
• FATHER FIGURES: Joe and Jaggers are polar opposites > similarity: power lies in potential, although its not used > J = Roman letter "I"
• JOE: instinct, doesn't judge or care about social standard, happy because of the relationships he has
• JAGGERS: doesn't trust people only facts, a blackmailer
• Victorian England > all about social standing
• Joe & Jagger (personality) > infant situation > Joe adopted the child > Jaggers bid of the child (Estella), forces mom to wed
• Wemmick > diff at home than at work > HOME: gentle, dutiful son, relationships more important than $$ > WORK: facts, all about profit > 2 mental double lives
• Magwitch (Ch 42 return) > cold, less of fear, more on the lack of human company (Siddhartha) > defined by point of life > Pip influenced him, instead of Pip being influenced
• 4 REVELATIONS: 1. Ms. Havisham not a fairy godmother 2. Estella and Pip are not meant to be, he is just her practice toy to further tear apart men 3. Pip's expectations were not his own, told by Magwitch what to think 4. ideas constantly recycle, when available, we will one day all come to understand the same ideas/concepts (BIG CYCLE)
• Pip glad to hear Orlick attacks Miss Joe (evil) > lessons apply to all of us evenly
• Pip sees life not as Jaggers sees it, but rather a place where growth can occur
• Pip wants to be practical in $ and relationships > he is a fantasist (wishes to benefit without sacrifices) and not a realist until the end
• Autobio: Pip's confession
• End: middle aged man confessing the problems of his youth, so as not to repeat it
• return to the forge > Joe married Biddy > new child, new seed named Pip (**Pip is a seed, something that hasn't yet become) > cycle of life continuing