Great Expectations is a novel or coming-of-age story as we follow the growth of the protagonist nicknamed Pip from his childhood to adulthood. It was Charles Dickens’s thirteenth novel (he was then in his late forties) and his penultimate completed novel, published in 1861. As for the narration it was his second novel written in the first person after David Copperfield which contained several autobiographical elements.
As it was published in a periodical in weekly episodes, it required short chapters centered on a single topic. As a book it is divided into three stages of Pip’s expectations: the first one deals with the boy’s childhood and early youth in Kent during which he wishes to rise above his humble condition, the second part depicts his time in London after his dreams were granted, and finally the third part is about his disappointment when he knows the source of his fortune. The whole structure of the book is noticeable in the fact that each stage of his life is divided into twelve parts of equal length, evoking perfection.
The story is set in Kent in the early 19th century. Philip is the main protagonist, he is an orphan living a simple life with his hot-tempered sister and nice brother-in-law, Joe. His future will be changed thanks to a mysterious benefactor who allows him to fulfil his dream of becoming a perfect gentleman for the woman he loves. Yet his destiny will force him to face an internal conflict when he learns the identity of his protector.
In this novel, Dickens tackles the theme of moral values that are more valuable than ambition and social advancement or wealth. Pip is seen as an idealist who is in search of constant self-improvement, which explains the title because Pip always has “great expectations”.
Nowadays the success of the novel is still confirmed and it has been adapted to the screen in the form of films or TV series a great number of times; at least six films have been released so far and almost ten TV series have been shot. It continues to arouse the readers’ emotions through a valuable historical interest.
Coming-of-age story : histoire sur le passage à l’âge adulte
Penultimate : avant-dernier
An expectation : une attente, espérance
An orphan : un orphelin
A benefactor : un bienfaiteur
To tackle with : aborder
Wealth : la richesse
Improvement : l’amélioration
To arouse : susciter
