Great Expectations Explication

During the first chapters of Great Expectations the plot is set and the characters are introduced. The most important character is Pip, both the narrator and main character. As a writer, Dickens’s had to focus on the development of Pip. This is do to the fact that Pip is a child and must appear as a child, but being the narrator, his words must also be able to fully articulate the story.

Pip, as many children would do, decides to help a man who needs help, although this man is a convict. Pip is worried about his own safety when he decides to help the convict, but still proceeds. This shows a positive side to Pip, but in the introduction of this novel we also see his flaws. Throughout the introduction, Dickens continues to show Pip's negative qualities; his dishonesty and his guilt. Relations in both Pip and Dickens can be seen in this introduction, because both Pip and Dickens didn't have the best upbringings.

In the introduction one of the most important characters is the convict. Although Pip thinks he will never see him again, this may not be the case. The convictions introduction is just that, an introduction. It seems that he will more than likely be a big part of the unraveling story.

Lit. Analysis

Jane Eyre

The Title Great Expectations

The novel Great Expectations, is all about a boy with great expectations. Unfortunately not all these expectations are reached. Pip's main goal is to become a gentleman, and he is able to achieve it in a way that wasn't expected. His great expectation was to earn the title through working for Miss. Havisham. However, he gains money that allows him to be a gentleman, from a criminal. These great expectations may not always be what you expected.

A Serial Killer

Serial Killer essay

Abstract

1. Background of a Serial Killer

-Serial killer: An individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification. Serial killers are not the same as mass murderers or spree killers. The majority of serial killers are white males in their late twenties to early thirties. Many Serial Killers often faced hardships in their childhood.

-First Serial Killer: One of the first documented serial killers was Herman Webster Mudgett, or H. H. Holmes. His killings occurred in 1893 in Chicago.

2. Need for this study

By studying serial killers, and the social, psycological and environmental factors that lead to the development of a serial killer, it may be possible to diminish the number of serial killers in society. If we can deduce what makes a serial killer, we can stop the process in which a serial killer is produced.

3. Purpose of my study

The purpose of my study is to understand how a serial killer comes to be. I am trying to learn whether it is just a mental dysfunction or whether it is other factors that create a serial killer.

4. Organization of the study

Knowledge of serial killers would be necessary to answer my question. I feel it will take many comparisons between vast majorities of killers in order to conclude what leads to the development of a serial killer. Of course I would visit libraries in order to find some information on serial killers. If possible it would be a great help to contact someone who has dealt first hand with serial killers such as FBI agents.

The Open Question

            In reading many novels I have found that it is rare that I make a true connection with any of the characters. They tend to appear static and just names on pages in my eyes. Hamlet however seemed to be a true person. He had flaws, and made mistakes and that’s what made him relatable. I felt compassion towards Hamlet because I could see myself in him.

            In no way was Hamlet flawless. He made mistakes and bad choices like most teenagers. One of the main things that make Hamlet so appealing to a reader is the fact that he is constantly toying over thoughts in his own head. He is essentially at odds with his own thoughts and feelings. I feel like I found I deep compassion with Hamlet, because of this fact alone. Being a teenager, I am constantly fighting with my own thoughts and having to make tough decisions. The entire plot of Hamlet was fueled by the thoughts that entered his head. He had to deal with his feelings for Ophelia, although he didn’t understand them half the time. He also had to deal with secrets of his father’s death that he probably would’ve rather not known about.  Hamlet is like most teenagers were they don’t even understand why they feel the way they feel or act the way they do.

            Shakespeare’s use of self-overhearing really is key to Hamlet’s success as a character. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t mulled over his or her thoughts aloud in order to come up with a concise decision in life. Hamlet as a character would be quite dull if we didn’t get to see his thought process. Seeing his thought process and having him speak of it aloud makes him admirable because the readers realize that they aren’t alone with some of the thoughts that constantly consume them.

            Many would view Hamlet’s actions as condemnable, and sure he didn’t always choose the right path, but I don’t think he should be condemned for any of his actions. Just as any normal person would, Hamlet made mistakes. Shakespeare’s development of Hamlet only caused me to admire him more. By delving into the mind of Hamlet he became a dynamic character; someone you could picture living in real life; someone who wasn’t perfect, but was entirely real.

            Overall Hamlet was one of many characters I have read about throughout my life. However I developed a strong admiration for Hamlet because he was just a normal teenager living with the torment of having to deal with teenager’s thoughts. He had to make decisions about love and family just like any teenager would. Even though Hamlet was written years ago, being a teenager hasn’t changed much. We all still have to deal with the craziness inside our own heads just as Hamlet did.

            

The Open Question

  "By their deeds shall ye know them." Without actions, characters are nothing to a reader but words on a page. Through characters actions readers develop an admiration or hatred towards the character; they make connections with the characters. Characters can be misunderstood, loved, and admired all at the same time, like Hamlet. The development of Hamlet's character was such a complex development, but it was successful because of Shakespeare's use of performative utterance, imagery, and foreshadowing.
  Hamlet is, in a lot of ways, a typical teenager. He is moody, indecisive, and even a little bit annoying. However, we see Hamlet develop into a man through performative utterance. We see him initially whining about how bad his life is, then changing into a person who ways the pros and cons of a situation. Shakespeare showed the growth of Hamlet. Performative utterance is what made Hamlet share his thoughts and feelings with the audience. We were right there with him as Hamlet grew from a boy to a man, someone all readers could respect.
    Shakespeare's use of imagery along with foreshadowing also helped the development of the play. Right off the bat the play opens with an eerie clock striking midnight. This lets the reader know that this will most likely be an ominous play. The dark night also adds to the mystery of both the story and Hamlet. The imagery in a sense not only described the world around Hamlet, but also described Hamlet himself. Shakespeare also foreshadowed death in the play which made the reader want to continuously turn the page. Not only did the reader want to know the outcome of the story, but this use of foreshadowing made the reader want to know how Hamlet would handle all of this. Hamlet was able to handle this unfortunate future gracefully and led me to gain respect for his character.
  Shakespeare's use of performative utterance, imagery, and foreshadowing made Hamlet the respected character known today. I never really doubted or disliked Hamlet, but throughout the story I grew to like him even more. Many other reader's would probably find Hamlet a disgrace at first, but because of Shakespeare's successful use of literary techniques Hamlet is a character that has gained respect.