TOPIC- GREAT EXPECTATIONS
CLASS 8 – AUGUST 2023
READING CONTENT
I. Glossary- (1 to 19 Read from the textbook)
20. bleak - desolate
21. wittles – mispronounced word, here meant victuals, i.e., food or provisions.
22. convict – prisoner or guilty
23. bruised – a deep cut or wound mark on the skin.
24. savoury – some salty or spicy food
25. creep – move slowly or crawl.
II. LEARN YOUR LANGUAGE: Graphic Novel
A GRAPHIC NOVEL is an entire book told through the comic art form. Thus, graphic
novels are usually longer than comic books and much longer than a single comic strip.
“Graphic novel” refers to the format of a story, not its genre. A graphic novel can be
fiction or non-fiction.
PARTS OF A GRAPHIC NOVEL
1) PANEL: The square or rectangle that contains a single scene.
2) GUTTERS: The space between the panels.
3) TIER: One row of panels
4) SPREAD: An image that spans more than one page.
5) COMPOSITION: How the panels, text, dialogue, etc. are arranged on a page.
6) CAPTION: Boxes containing text that may include scene-setting, description,
narration, etc.
7) SOUND EFFECTS: A sound represented in text, the font, coloring, and lettering of
sound effects are important to convey the sound to the reader.
8) SPEECH BUBBLE/BALLOON: These are rounded rectangular squares that contain
dialogue with a “tail” to indicate who is speaking.
9) THOUGHT BUBBLE/BALLOON: These are similar to speech balloons but show
thoughts instead of dialogue. They are often drawn with repeating arcs and might look
“cloudlike”. Circles will replace the tail to show who originated the thought.
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III. Theme- The theme of Great Expectations is that affection, loyalty, and
conscience are more important than social advancement, wealth, and class.
IV. Setting- The story is set in Kent and London in the early to mid-19th
century and like some of Dickens's most celebrated scenes, the story starts in a
graveyard, where young Pip is accosted by the escaped convict Abel Magwitch.
Also, the story is set at Pip’s house.
V. Narration- Great Expectations is written from the first-person point of
view, with Pip acting as both the protagonist and narrator of the novel. Pip
doesn’t narrate events as they happen but looks back at his life and tells the
story based on what he remembers, a style known as retrospective narration.
VI. Character Analysis-
1. Pip/Philip Pirrip: Philip Pirrip is known as Pip throughout the story. He is
the protagonist and the main narrator of the story. Pip has low self-esteem. He
is not valued and does not value himself. He feels guilty for his very existence,
thanks to his sister who constantly reminds him how she has suffered because
of him. Other relatives and friends reinforce his feelings by telling him how
grateful he should be. The story begins from an orphaned child’s perspective,
who is very kind and loving, though he faces the wrath of his sister, Mrs.
Gargery. He is so gentle and kind that he even steals food for the criminal. His
only positive in life is Joe, his brother-in-law, who keeps him close to his heart
and almost like a father and Pip looks forward to being his apprentice in the
forge.
2. Mr. Joe Gargery: The role of Mr. Joe in the novel is important. He takes Pip
into his care, as a father figure, despite his wife (Pip’s sister) being short-
tempered. His fatherly figure plays an important role in making him learn to
confront difficult situations. When Pip becomes snobbish during his stay in
London, he makes him realize his mistake by taking care of him during his
illness. When Mrs. Joe is injured by Orlick and dies, he marries Biddy, Pip’s
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teacher.
3. Mrs. Joe Gargery: She is the elder sister of Pip married to Joe Gargery. Sadly,
after their parent’s death, she was very angry and short-tempered most of the
time. She vents her frustration over the domestic chores. Her obsession with
good status costs her when Orlick attacks her, paralyzing her to die on her bed.
VI. CHOOSE THE CORRECT OPTIONS (MCQ)
1. In what region of England are the marshes of the novel found?
a. Sussex b. Wessex c. Kent d. Gloucestershire
2. Where does Pip first encounter the convict?
a. the river b. Mrs. Joe’s house c. the smithy d. the churchyard
3. What does the Convict want Pip to bring for him?
a. A knife b. A file and Wittles c. A file and a hammer d. Bread and cheese
4. What was Pip's real name?
a. Peter Philips b. Philip Pirrip c. Pipper Philips d. Paul Pirrip
Answers: 1. c, 2. d, 3. b, 4. b
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