“Great expectations” is one of Dicken’s most maturest works. After Dicken had experienced large part of meaningful life, he had a deeper cognition for people, environment, as well as the life which he had gone through. And all the mature cognitions are included in this writing---Great expectations.
Pip was brought up by his sister who was unpleasant as well as crude and her friendly blacksmith husband—Joe. Joe himself had arranged a common hard but satisfied path for Pip to go through, and on the other hand, Pip beheld this as his highest goal to achieve.
But the two things which he had experienced later had changed his pursue and his fate as well. Met Abel Magwith（an escaped convict） in the swamp, and unwillingly helped him out of danger by stealing food from his own home. If say that had changed his attitude for material life, then, his introduction to Miss Havisham, an aging woman who had been jilted at the alter and Estella who had been brought up by Havisham only to revenge for her own pain had brought vast shock for his world of spirit.
Aspiring to be a gentleman despite his humble born, Pip fortunately or unfortunately received a fund of wealth from an unknown source and being sent to London with a lawyer. From then on, he became a gentleman without question at the price of losing everything.
The title of this book is ‘Great expectations” which make an impression on us that the character would have great expectations just as the title goes. But in fact this title has a tone of sarcastic on the other way around.
This story full of quirkiness from the very beginning to the end, the relations among characters are anfractuous as well which actually attracted me a lot.
One of the paragraphs, which I appreciate most implicatively as well as beautifully expresses the feeling between Pip and Estella.
“We are friends,” said I, rising and bending over her, as she rose from the bench.
‘And will continue friends apart.” Said Estella.
I took his hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first let the forge, so, the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her.
At the view of language, this works had achieved a step o f highest, Dicken had made this writing plain and fluent as well, which surely can attract lots of readers and high comments.
To be frank, I really impressed by this art of beauty. So I like Dicken’s works very much.
遠大前程英文讀後感二：To be simple
After reading the whole book of “Great Expectations” written by Charles Dickens, I can’t find suitable words to express my thoughts completely.
First of all, I am attracted by the excellent literary talent of Charles Dickens. The descriptions of the details are just right for the foundation of the background. The design of the story also brings me shock. To me, it is not only a good story, but also a lesson of the life that I am experiencing.
But, what I have learnt from the book is not the main idea that Charles Dickens wanted to show. What impresses me deeply is only a supporting role —Joe. Compared with the life of Pip, what Joe has experienced is so ordinary. He is an ordinary blacksmith, an ordinary husband, an ordinary brother, an ordinary friend, even an ordinary person! However, just such an ordinary person brings me a great special feeling. In his world, life is so simple. He is far away from the complex world which is polluted by the ugly soul of people. May be, “kind-hearted” is the biggest advantage of him, which is also the biggest shortage of him in his daily life.
Different from all the other figures in the book, Joe’s life is so simple and his thoughts also stay pure after he experiences whatever sufferings that life gives him. In my opinion, his childhood is miserable. What he has experienced must be unhappy and sorrowful. He grows up in such a family, meets so much violence （May be, in that period, it is common）。To say it exaggeratedly, there must be bad influences on his young heart. But, what he does surprises me one more time. He treats his sufferings in another way—to be sincere.
I can’t really understand what he is thinking about, but I am deeply touched by his behavior. His tolerant with his wife—Pip’s sister, his friendly affection with Pip, even his sympathy with a prisoner that all express one thing — sincerity. He is the harbor of soul for Pip. There is such a great difference between Joe and Pip’s ambition. What he tells us is that to be simple is the key to your happy life.
Optimism is another spirit in his soul. He never gives in to the difficulties that he meets. Maybe, in his dictionary of life, there is no word with the meaning of shrinking back. He never worries about his lower grade life ,but faces up to it. For example, he only can read ”J” and ”O” before, because he has no chance to study in his childhood. But finally, he sets his mind to study and can write letters by himself.
Although Joe is a person with only a little knowledge, what he owns is far more precious than many learned men. His pure heart will bring him great expectations. What he teaches us is that never to be taken away your pure heart and optimistic attitude towards life. There will be nothing difficult or miserable when you treat them with a sincere heart.
To be simple, what you will gain is far beyond your imagination and you will find that life is just a game which is always filled with happiness and bliss!