Parastoo Souezi
Great Expectations is one of the most tender and famous novels of the incomparable English author, Charles Dickens. This novel is narrated by a boy named Pip and continues until his young years. The creation of characters in Great Expectations is masterful and the peak of this artist can be seen in the unique character of Mrs. Havisham. Do not miss reading this 144-page book.
Charles Dickens
Shayesteh Ebrahimi / Rasool Ahmadi
International Gaj Publisher
In the marshes of Kent, young orphan Pip encounters an escaped convict who coerces him into procuring food and a file. Despite the convict’s eventual capture, he shields Pip by claiming responsibility for the stolen items. Pip’s life takes a turn when he visits the eccentric Miss Havisham and meets the captivating Estella. His aspirations for gentility are shattered when Miss Havisham steers him towards a common laborer’s path.
Apprenticed to his brother-in-law Joe, the village blacksmith, Pip faces challenges in the forge. Biddy, a plain and kind soul, aids his education. Pip’s world transforms when a secret benefactor grants him a substantial fortune. Moving to London, he befriends Herbert and Wemmick, Jaggers’s law clerk. Despite distancing himself from former loved ones, Pip continues to long for Estella and hopes Miss Havisham intends their union.
Under Jaggers’s guidance, Pip’s fortunes grow, but internal conflicts persist. Mrs. Joe’s muteness, a result of a vicious attack, adds to Pip’s burdens. A lawyer named Jaggers brings startling news—Magwitch, an escaped convict, is Pip’s true benefactor, motivated by gratitude for Pip’s boyhood kindness.
In London, Pip and Herbert lead a carefree life, but the shadows of the past loom. Orlick, a malevolent figure from Pip’s history, resurfaces briefly. The death of Mrs. Joe prompts Pip to return home, overwhelmed by grief and remorse. Magwitch, the source of Pip’s fortune, emerges, revealing a complex web of connections: Compeyson, Estella’s father, and Miss Havisham’s vengeful plot.
Pip, morally bound, aids Magwitch’s escape from the police and Compeyson’s pursuit. The plan goes awry, leading to a fatal confrontation. Magwitch, sentenced to death, loses his fortune, viewing it as divine forgiveness. Pip falls ill, Joe reconciles with him, and they part on amicable terms. Back home, Pip discovers Biddy has married Joe.
Venturing abroad with Herbert, Pip works in the mercantile trade. Returning years later, he encounters Estella in the dilapidated Satis House garden. Despite past cruelties, Estella exhibits a changed demeanor, and they depart hand in hand, suggesting a newfound connection.
As Pip and Estella leave the ruined garden of Satis House, there’s a sense of closure and renewal. The trials and revelations of the past have given way to a transformed understanding between them. The scars of Miss Havisham’s vengeful designs and Magwitch’s redemptive sacrifice have shaped them into individuals with a deeper appreciation for life’s complexities. Pip, once driven by societal aspirations, now values the genuine connections formed over the years. The journey that began in the marshes concludes with a poignant realization — true wealth lies not just in material fortunes but in the lessons learned, the relationships forged, and the personal growth attained along the unpredictable path of life.
Their harmonious existence is disrupted when the island becomes a stage for a clash between Crusoe’s community and a group of cannibals. A tense confrontation unfolds, with Crusoe emerging victorious, further solidifying his mastery over the island. The narrative takes an unexpected twist with the arrival of English mutineers, setting the stage for a strategic game of wits and survival.
