Great Expectations is one of Charles Dickens’ most renowned works. It was published in 1861. Pip is a young orphan boy who resides with his sister and her husband. He knows that he will grow up to become a blacksmith just like his brother-in-law. But an anonymous benefactor settles a lavish allowance on him. He settles in London and starts a new life. His new found prosperity and his eternal love for his childhood friend Estella changes his life in many ways.
Great Expectations is generally termed as a bildungsroman. Bildungsroman is a German word for novels that show the psychological development of the central character.
Like all of his great novels, Great Expectations has Dickens’ brilliant use of character and plot. Great Expectations is one of the best stories I have read. Full of romance, courage and hope. It is a brilliant evocation of a time and a place.
Rudra Khandelwal, Class VIII A
