Review | Great Expectations by Nabeel Saleem

Charles Dickens, 1812–1870, was an English novelist and social critic from the Victorian era. His novels to exposed the grim realities of poverty, injustice, and child labour which he witnessed in his own life and his surrounding. His famous novels which are read worldwide include Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and Great Expectations. However, Great Expectations was published in 1860 with 58 chapters and 500 pages.

This book effectively highlights the Victorian values of England, including social and moral values. Miss Havisham, a peculiar and appreciated figure, is a suitable character in this book. She was deceived by her wedding, wearing the groom’s dress, having the wedding crown, white gloves, and being left alone. However, she has become an old lady, still wearing the same wedding dress, and has never left the building. The dining table is set with a massive cake, silverware for eating, and her room is covered by multiple curtains.

Notwithstanding, she has grown up to be a cruel and cold-hearted lady, having been betrayed. So, her adopted daughter, Estella, was also taught, “You must know that I have no heart, I have no softness there, no sympathy, sentiment, nonsense,” while Estella answered to Pip. Pip is the main character, and the author was compelled to write the book. An orphaned boy helps a convict by giving him food. In the meantime, the same man supports Pip in his pursuit of education and his goal of becoming a gentleman.

Moreover, while selecting a desire, before manifesting it, it is indispensable to meditate on whether you are capable of it, or if it does meet your personality. As in Urdu, a proverb is said, “Spread your feet according to the sheet you have.” Pip, being an Orphan, desired to marry Estella, but at that time, he was poor and wanted to become a gentleman. He just wanted to show or justify that he can be a gentleman, but he, indeed, was not the man that he had to be.

Sometimes, in life, we acquire desires; we proceed so far, and when we achieve that ambition, there is no joy in it. We have overwhelmed, ruined, and devastated the relationship with our friends, colleagues, family members, and loved ones. And eventually, we are torn asunder. What is a success without or a victory without happiness? As Pip put all his efforts to gain that title “Gentleman”, the way he treated Joe Gargery, Pip’s kind, illiterate, and loving brother-in-law, a blacksmith. He appeared in London to see Pip and congratulate him on his achievements.

​“It ain’t that I am proud, but that I want to be right, as you shall never see me no more in these clothes. I’m wrong about these clothes. I’m wrong out of the forge, the kitchen, or off the meshes. You won’t find half so much fault in me if you think of me in my forge dress, with my hammer in my hand, or even my pipe,” that is the way he was treated by Pip, and in relaxation, he narrates in this way. In life, a change in a person should bring happiness, politeness, kindness, goodness, carefulness, gladness, but should not bring snobbishness or rudeness.

A real character who deserves applause is Joe Gorgary. He was not a brother or a brother-in-law, but for Pip, he did more than a father; he made no difference between a wealthy man and a typical man. He was living a flexible life, and the absolute joy is not in status, but in being thankful for little possessions and enjoying tiny moments.

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