When Our Expectations are Great

Pip meeting Estella for the first time

 We're winding down our travels with Dickens and Pip and that means we must get ready to analyze how Pip has changed throughout the novel. I will ask you to write an essay in which you analyze Pip's changes whether they're positive or negative and how each character influences these changes.

This is the prompt that you will be expected to write to: 

Which characters have the most influence (positive or negative) in influencing Pip's life? You will be expected to look at each stage (stage one chapters 1-19, stage two chapters 20-39, stage three chapters 40-59) pick out at least one character that influences Pip for each stage and write two CQTS per stage.  It may be easier to see the stages in these terms: Stage I – innocence; Stage II – sin/guilt;     Stage III – redemption

In terms of the of the essay you should choose ONE character for each stage it is the simplest way to go making your CQTS the most straightforward. If you're strong in your analyzing skills you may choose two characters per stage, but you should be a confident and strong writer in this case. 

A sample essay may look something like this: Introduction (include novel title, author, and the over thesis (claim) you are trying to make), Estella changes Pip negatively for the first stage, Miss. Havashim changing Pip negatively for stage two and Herbert Pocket changing Pip positively for stage three.  Conclusion (restate your claim, provide evidence and your final thoughts). Your essay will work out to be a total of 8 paragraphs. It will look like this structurally speaking:

Intro (one paragraph)

Stage One (two CQTs)

Stage Two (two CQTs)

Stage Three (two CQTs)

Conclusion (one paragraph)

Below is a sample of how a CQT is set up--I will give you handout as well to help keep your thoughts organized. I know you may feel overwhelmed in the beginning, but you have written CQTs before you are just expanding your writing; you can do this. I believe in you.


If you do get stuck use Shmoop to help you out--if you don't understand it once you've read it it's  okay to ask for help Great Expectations Explained

Mrs. Ordway