Great Expectations: The First Stage

Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns of flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

Pip's clever analogy refers to different paths one may choose in life. Once the first "link" is formed and the "chain" begins to grow, there is no going back. For Pip, this first link is forged when he visits Miss Havisham for the first time. Pip's peculiar and unexpected experiences at Miss Havisham's results in a myriad of new feelings. After becoming accustomed to the fine, high class luxuries of Miss Havisham's mansion, Pip feels ashamed and self-conscious of his own home. He is slightly obsessed with Miss Havisham and Estella and his short visit with them. He keeps thinking about his visit constantly and can't wait to go back.

When I was ten years old, I went to Cascades Camp as a camper for the first time. Although I had visited with my family before, this was different. I would stay in a cabin with a counselor and several other girls. Not knowing anybody at first left me feeling lonely and homesick, but as the days and week progressed, I made many friends and had the best experience of my life. By the end of the week, I was confident and open with all my new friends. Every summer since that first week at Cascades, I have returned to camp. I hope my chain will stretch into the future when I can become a counselor myself.