Photo Connection

Photo Connection to Great Expectations

          This photo relates to the first two stages of Great Expectations because its roots represent Pip as a child and as the tree grows it is forever changing. The blacks and greys represent the dark connotation in the novel. The roots underground also symbolize Pip's ignorance and as he grows closer to the surface, he loses it. As Pip is growing into a gentleman he is realizing he took everything he used to have for granted. The shadows on the tree symbolize the dark moments in Pip's life... such as when he finds out who his benefactor is and when Mrs. Joe dies and he reakizes how he is treating everyone around him that is supposably "below" him. Overall, I think this is a good representation of the first stages of Great Expectations.

Great Expectations and Mean Girls

          I am relating Great Expectations to the movie Mean Girls. In this movie, Kady Heron, has just moved from Africa and is coming into a public high school for the first time. Kady is like Pip in the way that she wants to be apart of the "plastics", which are like the upper class. Pip wants to be a gentleman and Kady wants to be a "plastic".
          Tina Fey and Charles Dickens are both trying to convey a similar life lesson. You don't have to have everything or "status" in order to be happy. Kady leaves her trustworthy friends to become a plastic, and Pip leaves Biddy and Joe to become a gentleman. When they finally have what they always thought they wanted, they realize that it isn't as great as it seems. Although this movie may seem shallow and be considered a silly chick flick, it has a deep inner meaning that relates to Great Expectations.

The Second Stage

          The second stage of Great Expectations was definietly slow to start. The main thing I am going to focus on is Pip's arrival to London. After Pip had been informed that he had come into a fortune he was looking forward to his journey to London. When Pip got there he was very disappointed to learn that it was really crowded, dismal, and dirty. The only good thing to come out of it so far was that he was reaquainted with the "pale young gentleman". Overall, the book and Pip have taken a turn for the rest.
          Pip arriving in London relates to the theme of him becoming a gentleman. Growing up all Pip wanted was to be of a higher class or more respected. Now that Pip has come into a fortune he will hopefully soon realize that just because he's becoming a "gentleman" doesn't make him a better person. Pip betrayed a lot of people to get a title that might not bring him the happiness he hopes for.

Chapter 9 Quote Response

          On this day Pip had his first visit to Miss Havisham's house. He met this odd character, along with Estella. Estella criticized him and made him ashamed of where he came from. I think that this day bound him to what he wanted his future to be like. He had new ideas on life and wanted to be more than just the twon blacksmith. In a way, going to see Miss Havisham was a negative thing for Pip, whether he knew it or not. This was the turning point for Pip growing up. He is no longer innocent and oblivios because he has seen better things than what he has. His sweet manner is becoming more mature and it makes you lose love for Pip. Early in the story Pip wrote Joe loving letters on how excited he was to be apprenticed to him, now Pip wants to be a scholar and wants nothing to do with Joe. Pip took a turn for the worse in this chapter.
          The day I was rejected my friend who was 3 years older than me in 3rd grade definietly changed me. He didn't want to talk to me at school and said we could only play at home. This hurt me and made me want to be "cooler". I changed how I looked at things that day and loss my innocence. I think Pip is going through the same thing.