Great Expectations: Skit

• One good scene for a skit is when Pip encounters the convict for the first time in the churchyard. This is an important part of the book, and is tied back into the story later on. There is also a good contrast in the characters' personalities: Pip is polite and innocent and the convict is gruff and threatening.
• Another part of the book that is crucial to the story is when Miss Havisham begs Pip on her knees for forgiveness. She has finally realized what she has done and how she brought Estella up, teaching her all the wrong morals.
• One final suspenseful scene is the background story of Compeyson (as told by Magwitch). This shows just how evil this man is and the reasons for Magwitch and Miss Havisham's grudges on him. Perhaps the most exciting part of this section is when Arthur dies after seeing Miss Havisham's "ghost," since this scene is so dramatic.

Another Question

One thing I didn't understand in this week's reading (chapters 36-44) was when Magwitch tells Pip the story of his life and he talks about Compeyson's background as well. Compeyson's friend, Arthur (Miss Havisham's brother) sees a vision of Miss Havisham. He is deathly afraid of her, and says she is trying to put her shroud on him (and will at 5 in the morning). This whole incident is a little confusing to me. Does Arthur really see a ghost of Miss Havisham? Compeyson says this is impossible, since she is still living. So if Arthur really imagined the whole thing, how did he die?

Great Expectations: Question About Estella

One part of Great Expectations I didn't understand was on page 226, chapter 33. It is when Estella arrives at London and Pip takes her to tea. When asked why she will be going to Richmond, Estella replies:

"I am going to live at a great expense, with a lady there, who has the power - or says she has - of taking me about, and introducing me, and showing people to me and showing me to people."

I understand that Estella will be living there to be introduced to the "high-society" people there, and to learn her way around, but I don't understand why. Throughout the story, Miss Havisham is trying to throw Pip and Estella together (mainly so Estella can break his heart), so why would Miss Havisham send Estella away to Richmond, especially if she might meet new people and fall in love with someone else?

Great Expectations: Photo Post

I chose this photo of a bridge because it represents Pip's journey throughout his life. Pip is given the opportunity to step out of (what he thinks of as) the shadows of his old life as a blacksmith and into the sunlight of his new life as a gentleman. Pip boldly takes this leap, although there might be hardships on the path ahead. Part of his "great expectations" will require always traveling forward on the path, and never looking back. This might be hard for Pip in the future, and he might find that he should have cherished those younger days more. Pip will soon discover what the path laid out before him by his great expectations will really mean for his life.