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Great Expectations (Puffin Classics) by Charles Dickens
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Published January 1, 1765
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About the author
Charles Dickens
12.8k books31.4k followersCharles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was a writer and social critic who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime, and by the twentieth century critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories enjoy lasting popularity.
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors' prison. Despite his lack of formal education, he edited a weekly journal for 20 years, wrote 15 novels, five novellas, hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles, lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer, and campaigned vigorously for children's rights, education, and other social reforms.
Dickens was regarded as the literary colossus of his age. His 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol, remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre. Oliver Twist and Great Expectations are also frequently adapted, and, like many of his novels, evoke images of early Victorian London. His 1859 novel, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris, is his best-known work of historical fiction. Dickens's creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to George Orwell and G. K. Chesterton—for its realism, comedy, prose style, unique characterisations, and social criticism. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth, loose writing, and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism. The term Dickensian is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Dickens and his writings, such as poor social conditions or comically repulsive characters.
On 8 June 1870, Dickens suffered another stroke at his home after a full day's work on Edwin Drood. He never regained consciousness, and the next day he died at Gad's Hill Place. Contrary to his wish to be buried at Rochester Cathedral "in an inexpensive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner," he was laid to rest in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. A printed epitaph circulated at the time of the funeral reads: "To the Memory of Charles Dickens (England's most popular author) who died at his residence, Higham, near Rochester, Kent, 9 June 1870, aged 58 years. He was a sympathiser with the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world." His last words were: "On the ground", in response to his sister-in-law Georgina's request that he lie down.
(from Wikipedia)
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September 27, 2025
𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆, “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.” 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗜’𝗺 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀—𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘆, 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲.
Pip, being the narrator and the protagonist, undergoes a series of profound transformations. When he first arrives in London with a generous fortune behind him, he slips into arrogance—ashamed of his humble origins, disdainful of old companions, and consumed by wealth and the indulgent lifestyle it affords. Yet the death of his sister rekindles a spark of humility within him. Now in control of his finances, Pip channels his fortune more nobly: he secretly invests half of his annual allowance to secure Herbert’s future, ensuring his friend’s independence without Herbert ever knowing the sacrifice behind it.
Pip’s growing affection for Wemmick and his Aged Parent, in contrast to his detachment from Jaggers, marks another step in his moral awakening.
His brief conversations with Biddy during visits to his native town—though they often leave him frustrated—nevertheless inspire him to strive for goodness.
The novel reveals a truth we often overlook when judging others: a person firmly grounded in good values during their formative years is far less likely to be permanently corrupted by circumstance. Pip (Unlike Compeyson and Bentley Drummer? may be momentarily swept away by the glitter and glamour of wealth, but the moral foundation laid in his early life ultimately safeguards him from complete downfall. His conscience, nurtured by the goodness of people like Joe and Biddy, becomes his saving grace.
The 𝙨𝙮𝙢𝙗𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 in Great Expectations is both witty and precise. Take Satis House, for instance—it embodies Pip’s romanticized view of the upper class while simultaneously exposing the rot beneath the surface. Its gothic decay and suffocating stagnation contrast starkly with the refreshing honesty and quiet simplicity of Joe and Biddy’s humble home, which represents a far truer form of contentment and integrity.
Even the mists on the marshes symbolize the early gloom in Pip’s heart, reflecting his belief that his life would never rise beyond the confines of Joe’s forge and the trade of a blacksmith.
The same gloom followed Pip to London, relieved only by the warmth he found in Herbert’s and Wemmick’s company. This contrast underscores a powerful truth: genuine joy is not hidden in wealth or status but in the simplicity of human connection and the loyalty of true friendship.
That’s the enduring power of classic literature—it offers much more than a finely woven story. Great Expectations is a perfect example. Its symbolism, the depth and evolution of its characters, the instances of poetic justice, and the tragic downfalls of even the well-intentioned all illuminate the true nature—and the indifference—of fate.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡:
Men are often shaped by their circumstances, yet some possess the strength to rise above them and carve out a destiny of their own.
Fate is often cruel. One may hope for justice—for virtue to be rewarded and wrongdoing to be punished—but there is no certainty that life will unfold so fairly. Good people are not always granted good fortune, nor are the wicked invariably condemned for their deeds.
Pip, being the narrator and the protagonist, undergoes a series of profound transformations. When he first arrives in London with a generous fortune behind him, he slips into arrogance—ashamed of his humble origins, disdainful of old companions, and consumed by wealth and the indulgent lifestyle it affords. Yet the death of his sister rekindles a spark of humility within him. Now in control of his finances, Pip channels his fortune more nobly: he secretly invests half of his annual allowance to secure Herbert’s future, ensuring his friend’s independence without Herbert ever knowing the sacrifice behind it.
Pip’s growing affection for Wemmick and his Aged Parent, in contrast to his detachment from Jaggers, marks another step in his moral awakening.
His brief conversations with Biddy during visits to his native town—though they often leave him frustrated—nevertheless inspire him to strive for goodness.
The novel reveals a truth we often overlook when judging others: a person firmly grounded in good values during their formative years is far less likely to be permanently corrupted by circumstance. Pip (Unlike Compeyson and Bentley Drummer? may be momentarily swept away by the glitter and glamour of wealth, but the moral foundation laid in his early life ultimately safeguards him from complete downfall. His conscience, nurtured by the goodness of people like Joe and Biddy, becomes his saving grace.
The 𝙨𝙮𝙢𝙗𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙢 in Great Expectations is both witty and precise. Take Satis House, for instance—it embodies Pip’s romanticized view of the upper class while simultaneously exposing the rot beneath the surface. Its gothic decay and suffocating stagnation contrast starkly with the refreshing honesty and quiet simplicity of Joe and Biddy’s humble home, which represents a far truer form of contentment and integrity.
Even the mists on the marshes symbolize the early gloom in Pip’s heart, reflecting his belief that his life would never rise beyond the confines of Joe’s forge and the trade of a blacksmith.
The same gloom followed Pip to London, relieved only by the warmth he found in Herbert’s and Wemmick’s company. This contrast underscores a powerful truth: genuine joy is not hidden in wealth or status but in the simplicity of human connection and the loyalty of true friendship.
That’s the enduring power of classic literature—it offers much more than a finely woven story. Great Expectations is a perfect example. Its symbolism, the depth and evolution of its characters, the instances of poetic justice, and the tragic downfalls of even the well-intentioned all illuminate the true nature—and the indifference—of fate.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡:
Men are often shaped by their circumstances, yet some possess the strength to rise above them and carve out a destiny of their own.
Fate is often cruel. One may hope for justice—for virtue to be rewarded and wrongdoing to be punished—but there is no certainty that life will unfold so fairly. Good people are not always granted good fortune, nor are the wicked invariably condemned for their deeds.
Displaying 1 of 1 review