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Life of Pi(p)
Date of Review: Jul 3, 2003
The Bottom Line: A good novel although probably not Dickens's best
Charles Dickens's "Great Expectations" lacks the expansiveness of his "A Tale of two cities". The story is based largely in rural England until the scene shifts to London. Except for a minor interlude in Denmark, this is where it stays. It remains the work of a man on the brink of poverty and destitution. This explains the desperation which comes through in the protagonist. This also explains mid chapter raves on the legal system and society. These differ from his usual sarcastically clever remarks on the same issues in other novels. If anything, he seems to be speaking in the voice of a man who has little time left and must speak his heart before he can be at peace with himself.
The novel centers on an orphan Philip Pirrip, known as Pip, who lives with his older sister (senior by 20 years) and her husband a blacksmith named Joe Gargery. There are two incidents, which define Pip's life: the first is a meeting with a convict at a graveyard. The second is when he is invited by a reclusive heiress, Miss Havisham to her home. The second incident results in Pip meeting an attractive young lady named Estella, who treats him as the lower class twit that she thinks he is. This leads an already insecure Pip to feel inferior and makes him wish to become a gentleman in learning. Conveniently for him when he is in his late teens, he gets an inheritance of sorts that enables him to become a gentleman. Soon, he views everything in his life with different eyes, including his old friend Joe. Several incidents take place and ultimately lead to his realizing what makes a real gentleman.
The story is told in first person, using Pip's voice. Although Pip is very hard on himself (this story is told in retrospect), it does not prevent the reader from seeing his true worth. His very mind, heart and soul seems to be laid before to the reader to dissect and question and ultimately, to appreciate and applaud.
Many critics considered Ms. Havisham's character a failure. It never seemed clear as to her motivation or reasons behind any of her actions. However, it is my opinion that this character is among Dickens' more intriguing creations. The motivation is always ambiguous, which makes her more interesting.
The same can be said for Estella. Dickens designed her character to be one that runs on autopilot. She does not seem to think or feel and almost seems to be masochistic in the choices she makes in her life.
Two of the most interesting characters are Pip's guardian in London, Mr. Jaggers, and his clerk Mr. Wemmick. It is these two characters that are the real masterpieces in terms of characterization. Mr. Jaggers inscrutability, equally matched by his clerk and Mr. Wemmick's treatment of Pip within and without Jaggers's office makes for good reading.
No Dickens novel is complete without a string of socially conscious messages thrown in. The treatment of convicts and the harshness of so-called justice is repeatedly mentioned especially in the scene after Pip arrives in London.
There are also some subtle messages in this novel about women. Although all of them are very capable, some to the point of being bullies, their position in public is held to be subservient. A classic example is Pip's sister who is the real head of her household, who is known solely as Mrs. Joe. At no point are we told what her name is.
This novel has everything you could ask for from humor to irony, social messages to intricate plot and characterization. The only thing it lacks is a view wider than Britain.
