Transcript Great Expectations

Great Expectations
Chapters 50 - 59
Chapter 50
1. What does the reader learn about Estella’s
history? Who is Estella’s father?
Chapter 51
1. How is Estella’s parentage a way for Dickens
to criticize the idea of social classes?
Chapter 52
1. What situation foreshadows that Herbert will
be sent to the East to run the firm’s eastern
office, and that Pip believes that he too will
soon be leaving the country?
2. What reminds Pip of how true and faithful
Joe and Biddy are?
Chapter 53
1. The novel has a theme of light vs. dark, which
can represent hope vs. evil. Describe Dickens
use of light and dark in this chapter.
2. List three mysteries Orlick solves for Pip while
he is working up the courage to kill him.
Chapter 54
1. Describe Pip’s plan to get Magwitch out of
England.
2. What incident in the past suggests that
Magwitch is telling the truth when he says he
did not kill Compeyson?
3. What is ironic about the confiscation of
Magwitch’s purse?
Chapter 55
1. What does Dickens pause to talk about in
order to create a brief relief of tension?
Chapter 56
1. Read the following passage: “I sometimes
derived an impression, from his manner or from
a whispered word or two which escaped him,
that he pondered over the question whether he
might have been a better man under better
circumstances.” Does Pip believe that a person’s
“character” is determined by nature or by
nurture? Explain.
2. Describe Magwitch during the time of his death.
3. Why does Pip tell Magwitch about Estella?
Chapter 57
1. How is Pip’s illness like a second childhood
for him?
2. Think about the following characters:
Matthew Pocket, Herbert Pocket, Bentley
Drummle, Mr. Jaggers, and Joe. Which
character possesses all the traits of a true
gentleman? Explain.
3. Why does Joe begin to call Pip “sir” when Pip
begins to regain his strength?
Chapter 58
1. How does this chapter wrap up Pip’s
childhood relationships with Pumplechook,
and Joe and Biddy?
Chapter 59
1. Why might Dickens have Pip return to where
the novel began?
2. Explain the ambiguity of the ending of the
novel. Do Pip and Estella part and never see
each other again, or do they remain
together?