Saturday, March 2, 2013

The Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

A caged bird strives for freedom..To fly is it's identity..If it may have any opportunity to fly away in to the blue sky,it won't do any analysis but straight away rushes in to the sky..Isn't it ? The moment all the little bird needs is nothing but "Freedom to Fly"..

Here is one more pearl added to the garland...The Great Expectations by Charles Dickens..It is considered as the greatest work ever in the Dicken's literary journey..Starving in an unhealthy environment Pip feels miserable with his own life..One day,all of a sudden,a great fortune has been bestowed upon him which provides him with wings to fly,to fulfill his dreams..The story was set in the year 1860 which depicts the life experiences of Pip and how the immature and innocent little lad transformed as a complete individual...The protagonist Pip is the narrator of the story..

Copyright A Homemaker's Utopia
Orphan boy Pip is victim of domestic violence by his aggressive sister Mrs.Joe..However he ill-treated by his sister,the little one receives so much love and affection from his sister's husband Mr.Joe Gargery...Mr.Joe is a black smith,very kind and noble man with whom Pip shares all his dreams and sorrows...One day Pip encounters a convict at graves..Being afraid of him,Pip forcibly steals food from house for him..This is the first time Pip really feels guilty..But Pip could not imagine this small encounter is going to impact his future in an unexpected way...


Joe's uncle,Mr.Pumblechook not only bullies Pip but he thinks of himself as a fortune-maker of the boy and  employs him in the Satis house to play with Estella,the adopted daughter of the weird and cold Miss Havisham...Pip feels miserable in presence of the beautiful and proud Estella but couldn't help admiring her..He tries to find ways to be worthy of her..

The air of completeness and superiority with which she walked at my side,and the air of youthfulness and submission with which I walked at hers ,made a contrast that I strongly felt.

Out of my thoughts ! You are part of my existence,part of myself .You have been in every line I have ever read,since I first came here,the rough common boy whose poor heart you wounded even then.You have been in every prospect I have ever seen since-On the river,On the sails of the ships,on the marshes,in the clouds,in the light,in the darkness,in the wind,in the woods,in the sea,in the streets.You have been the embodiment of every graceful fancy that my mind has ever become acquainted with.

The so ordinary life of the boy takes a fabulous turn with surprising entry of a dynamic lawyer Jaggers,when he announces him as a beneficiary of  a great fortune..But the benefactor's details were hidden from him..Assuming Miss.Havisham is his benefactor,Pip moves to London without giving a second thought of leaving behind his relations and affections..In the process of getting trained to be a Gentle Man at Mr.Mathew Pocket's,Pip and his best buddy Herbert,both fails to control their expenses and finally they  remains fully in to debts..Meanwhile a stranger enters Pip's house,introducing himself to be his benefactor,Abel Magwitch..Pip finds the stranger is none other than the old acquaintance at graves..Magwitch is a convict deported from England who actually came to repay his gratitude..Pip's dreams melts down by learning that the great fortune came over him is provided by a convict..From here on-wards the story takes so many twists and turns...

Words can not tell what a sense I had,at the same time,of the dreadful mystery that  he was to me...

Man often doesn't give much value to the things which are easily affordable for him..Pip deserts Joe and Biddy's love to gain mirage like love of Estella..But when he realizes his mistake it was too late for him..Neither he gains Estella's love nor Biddy's,for Biddy is married to Joe after Mrs.Joe's death..Though Pip shows ingratitude in Joe's case,he compensates that guilt by taking Magwitch's responsibility by serving  him in his last days..

Dear Joe,I hope you will have children to love,and that some little fellow will sit in this chimney corner of a winter night,who may remind you of another little fellow gone out of it forever.Don't tell him Joe,I was thankless:Don't tell him,Biddy,that I was ungenerous and unjust: Only tell him that I honoured you both.

The novel consists of many characters and each and every character is unique and distinctive in its own way..Few characters are like reflections of our lives.The relationship between Pip-Joe and Pip-Magwitch were greatly established in the story..Particularly Magwitch's role is quite different with antagonistic shades..There are so many unforgettable characters in the story -The most peculiar and weird Miss.Havisham who lives a miserable life in a dark chamber;the cold hearted Estella,who follows Havisham's footsteps;the powerful,cunning and  professional Jaggers;his kind assistant Wemmick;loyal friend Herbert;the real antagonists Compeyson and Orlick ..And the list goes on...

A certainly long read with nearly 500 pages,keep you completely engaged and stick you to the story line up till the end...Its a must read for classic lovers..:-)
Happy reading friends..:-)

41 comments:

Easwar Arumugam said...

How many times have I read this classic? I don't know. Love Dickens works. Kudos to review.

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@Arumugam Easwar,
Thanks a lot.True..Would like to read it again..:-)

Edith's Miscellany said...

Hello! Your post reminds me that 'Great Expectations' is in my pile of books to read that has reached unprecedented hights over the past couple of weeks... So many books, so little time! Sigh!

Debopam said...

Reminds me of my childhood days....

http://debnature.blogspot.in

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Edith,
Read it soon,You are gonna fall in love with this book..:-)Thanks for the comment.All the best..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Debopam,
Thanks a lot for dropping by...:-)

Shareef S M A said...

I have seen the novel's film adaption. Its a good one though not as engaging as the book you say is. Never had a chance to read the book yet. And 500 pages sounds too long for me..!! Anyhow will read in future.

Good review!!

Woman'n'Beyond said...

This one I haven't read so far. Thanks for giving a head start!

Tomichan Matheikal said...

A magnificent novel from Dickens. Nice you reminded people about it.

Bushra said...

Very nice review dear:) Looks like a nice fun book!

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Shareef SMA,
I agree,Its for patient readers,but watching a movie is quite different from reading book..If possible,I suggest you to to read it..:-)Thanks a lot for being here..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Meenakshi,
Its a must read.Don't miss.Thanks a lot for dropping by..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Tomichan Mathiekal,
Thank you so much for your precious comment..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Bushra,
Thanks a lot for your comment yaar..Yeah it is..:-)

Shareef S M A said...

@home maker

I have the novel's pdf version. will try for sure.
In fact I've seen many novel adapted films but never read their source novels. Atleast to find the differences between how the novel and movie experience, I should read one.

asteria's canvass said...

ah,
you took me back to class 12th where this was the major chunk of literature we had to do, pip, estella sketching their characters and what not, and on top of that we used to call our english teacher miss havisham..
nice one

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Shareef,
Yeah go on..:-)But a printed paper will be more enjoyable.Anyways All the best for your reading..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Asteria,
ha..ha..really ?? Thanks a lot for your lovely comment..:-)

Chandu S said...

We read the abridged version for English paper-2 when we were appearing for the Tenth standard. your review helped me to understand some complex emotions which I couldn't understand when I was in school. Thank you very much for refreshing the memories.

Shareef S M A said...

Yes.. absolutely... Thanks..

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Chandu S,
I was overjoyed to find you here.Thanks a lot Sailaja garu.Really,its Pleasure having you here.Thanks a lot for the visit and comment..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Usha Menon,
Somehow missing your comment in the blog.But it was there in my inbox.So publishing here..Thanks a lot for you valuable feedback..:-)

http://eccentricgrandmum.blogspot.in/

Thanks a lot for penning the review of Great Expectations. I was reminded of my M.A.(English) days. It was the year 1957. I too had written a review of this great classic, which was published in a magazine. A very gripping novel.I must have read it atleast ten times. Beautifully written piece!!!

Jeyanthi said...

Hi... Hello.. I read this buk, bt it doesn't gives me such gud experience though the plot is amazing (bt it
is predictable) U knw, diz author is famous for writing hopeless character.. The saddness is traveld frm pg1 to last...

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Jeyanthi,
"No two people read the same book"..But I respect and appreciate your feedback :-) Thanks a lot for your precious comment..:-)

Arti said...

A wonderful in depth review Nagini with snippets from the book thrown in between. Delightful, will pick it up sometime :)

Panchali said...

One of my fave classics, nagini. Fantastic review!! Thanks..

magiceye said...

Wonderfully reviewed!

Bushra said...

Hi again Nagini dear...Your beautiful and extremely creative posts have forced me to reward you the 'Creative Blogger Award' congratulations:)
For more visit my post:
http://stillettomaniac.blogspot.in/2013/03/my-first-blog-awardthe-cba-d.html

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Arti,
Thank you so much Arti..I'm sure you will enjoy the read..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Panchali,
Thanks a lot for you comment Maa'm..Nice to know that you liked it too..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Magiceye,
Thanks a lot for your comment Deepak..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Bushra,
Congratulations dear..:-) and Thanks a ton for the nomination..I'm honoured..:-)

Rat said...

i have seen this novel's movie adaptation.. will try to read the book someday, but if only my reading block vanish. :-) a delight to read this review.

A Rat's Nibble

Vajra said...

Your post made me to go back to my 9th class in school where I eagerly waited for my English period to come so that I am interested to know more and more about Great Expectations...:)

ra said...

i haven't read this .. but this seems quite similar to Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist .. isn't it?

Ramakant Pradhan said...

I think I had read Charles Dickens when I was in class 6 or 7. While reading your post, the story was coming back to me in bits and pieces and by the time I was done with your post, I had the full story in my mind. Really the human brain is remarkable.

Nice review.

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ a Rat,
I didn't see the movie yet.Wii see..:-) Thanks a lot for the precious comment..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Vajra,
Ohh that's nice to hear.So you enjoyed the English class..:-)
Thanks a lot Vajra..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Rahul Aggarwal,
Is it ? I haven't read Oliver twist..Will pick up the book some day..:-) Thank you so much..:-)

A Homemaker's Utopia said...

@ Ramakanth Pradhan,
True..:-)Thanks a lot for your lovely comments..:-)

Information said...

Nicely posted