Great Expectations

Great Expectations

  • Submitted By: niyomiw
  • Date Submitted: 03/30/2013 3:49 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1251
  • Page: 6
  • Views: 177

Lloyd Jones a modern author used Umberto Eco, an Italian philosopher’s epigraph “character’s migrate” to begin his famous novel, Mister Pip. This statement “character’s migrate” not only relates to Mister Pip, but it also link to the iconic novel Great Expectations. Matilda from Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones and Pip from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, share experiences that influence them psychologically. These characters are different in many ways but are very similar in that they both under go cognitive migration through various stages in their lives. Readers are invited to gain an understanding of identity from each protagonist’s mental migration through the novels.

Pip from Great Expectations develops though the novel in three main stages. He first beings as an innocent, young and simple minded boy, who is only aware of his family oriented lifestyle. He has a strong relationship with his brother-in-law Joe Gargery, a common blacksmith, and is openly proud to be related to him. This affectionate relationship is shown by, “I always treated him as a larger species of child, and as no more than my equal.” Pip displays genuine respect and love for Joe and regards him not only as a relative, but a great friend. Pip views Joe to be equal to him; this is significant because it shows that Pip doesn’t look at Joe to be inferior or superior to him.
“…you and me is always friends, and I’d be the last to tell upon you, at any time.” This re-enforces the strength of Pip and Joe’s relationship. It illustrates the loyalty and trust that they share and how much Joe cares about Pip.
This is the initial stage of Pip’s life before he migrates psychologically. Reader’s can view Pip’s identity clearly at this point- he is content with his family and his future is bright as Joe’s apprentice.

In the second stage of Pip’s life, he dramatically changes to be a snobbish and class minded boy. This cognitive migration is due to his visit to Satis House, where...

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