Why did Dickens rewrite his original ending?
At the encouragement of his friend and fellow novelist Wilkie Collins, Dickens revised the novel’s original ending. The main difference is that in the revised ending, Dickens suggests that Pip and Estella will end up together. This sort of conclusion is certainly more in line with what we’re used to out of a story.
What is the story of Great Expectations in summary?
Great Expectations follows the childhood and young adult years of Pip a blacksmith’s apprentice in a country village. He suddenly comes into a large fortune (his great expectations) from a mysterious benefactor and moves to London where he enters high society.
What is Magwitch’s story?
The next morning, Magwitch tells the young men his story. He was an orphaned child and lived a life of crime out of necessity. His earliest memory is of stealing turnips to feed himself. As a young man, he met a gentleman criminal named Compeyson and fell under his power.
What does Pip learn at the end of Great Expectations?
Pip experiences the rise to an upper-class life and then the fall from grace initiated by the return of Magwitch. One of the major things that Pip learns about is love; love within families, love between friends, and most important, his love for Estella.
What does the last line of Great Expectations mean?
Estella has been widowed after an unhappy marriage in which her husband “used her with great cruelty.” In the final lines of the novel, Pip comments ambiguously that he “saw the shadow of no parting from her.” After decades of longing for her, it seems possible that Pip will finally get to be with Estella, especially …
What does I saw no shadow of another parting from her mean?
What does ‘I saw no shadow of another parting from her’ mean? Pip thinks he and Estella will be together forever. Pip thinks he and Estella will never see each other again. Pip is hopeful but not certain that his future relationship with Estella will continue.
What happens to Compeyson at the end of the novel?
What happens to Compeyson at the end of the novel? He escapes with the Havisham fortune.
Why did Dickens change the last lines of Great Expectations?
Before publication, several of Dickens’s friends suggested he change the ending to something that at least allowed for the possibility of a reconciliation. Dickens made the change, apparently with some reluctance.
Why is the second ending of Great Expectations better?
Arguments Favoring the Second Ending It is appropriate that Magwitch’s daughter finds happiness with Pip. Martin Price argues that the mature Pip, with the saving humor of self-acceptance, finally sees Estella as what she is; therefore, it seems appropriate she can return to him.
What does Pip learn from Magwitch?
Is Magwitch a good person?
Magwitch wants to make sure that Compeyson pays for what he has done – even if it means further punishment for himself. Although he is a criminal, Magwitch helps those who help him and tries to avoid getting innocent people into trouble. He also admits to the crimes he has committed.
How does Compeyson betray Magwitch?
Compeyson and Magwitch were arrested, but Compeyson betrayed Magwitch, who received a greater prison sentence. They both escaped on the marshes but Magwitch felt compelled to return Compeyson to captivity. Compeyson’s punishment for escaping was light while Magwitch’s was transportation for life.