Callie

= Great Expectations = by Charles Dickens "There's one thing you may be sure of that lies is lies. However they come, they didn't ought to come and the come from the father of lies, and work round to the same. Don't you tell no more of 'em, Pip. That ain't the way to get out of being common, old chap." - I chose this quote because gives a great life lesson. Pip's brother-in-law Joe tells him to never tell anymore lies after Pip has lied about what Miss Havisham looked like and how she acted. Pip felt that if he lied about how extravagant and wonderful the things he saw were, that he would impress people. Pip is tired of being "common". Pip feels bad about lying and confesses to Joe that he did. Joe tells him to never lie again. I believe that Joe is completely correct in what he says about a lie is a lie. There is no excuse for lying.  "In a word, as a young fellow of great expectations." - I think that this quote is important because you see what Pip is going to go through. It not only applies to Pip, but also applies to the lives of others. In life, people tend to think that they aren't good for anything and that they won't amount to much. That is never the case. Everyone has potential and something going for them. Everyone is smart in their own way, and has a good person in them. People see you differently than you see your self. They see the good things you have going for you even when you think that you are a horrible person and can't do anything right; you still have people in the world who think highly of you and that want to help you succeed. That is how Magwitch is with Pip. He saw a light in Pip, something good he had never seen in anyone as young as Pip was. Even though Pip was scared, he still helped Magwitch get food and escape from his shackles. Magwitch would never forget that gesture of kindness towards a stranger. If you ever think that you are going nowhere in life, think again. Everyone, no matter who, has a certain potential to do something great -- even if it is a simple kind act.

‘Nobody’s enemy but his own!’ - Enemies are only created if you are unhappy with yourself. Any problem can be talked about and figured out. When you are unhappy with yourself, people tend to take it out on others. When you are angry at yourself, you feel like the whole world is against you. You create your own enemy. Even if you feel like you have enemies in the world, they can become your friend; if you try. You can apologize and try to make it up to them. They are never truly your enemy. The only way they will continue to be your enemy is if your stubborn nature gets the best of you. If you are too hard headed to try and make a difference, that is why you have enemies. When you are too stubborn that traces back to your own self; hence, you are your own worst enemy. media type="youtube" key="Bi8yzn7kWAo?fs=1" height="385" width="480" Video One: I chose this video because it depicts what kind of relationship Pip and Estella have. They go through so many stages - from when they first meet to when they meet at the end of the book. Pip, from the moment he laid his eyes on Estella, wanted to marry her. She, on the other hand, was very mean to him. I secretly think she liked him too, but Miss Havisham kept her from him. Miss Havisham encourages women to break hearts. Miss Havisham got her heart broken a long time ago and never fully recovered from it. She doesn't want Estella to get her heart broken. Pip falls to hard. He is heart broken when she treats him so bad, but he is persistant and keeps trying. Their relationship grows and becomes deeper throughout the years. They may not see each other on a daily basis, but they are always on each others mind. This video takes you through the stages and you can see the progression of their relationship. You can fully understand and appreciate the connection between them. media type="youtube" key="eXyo68s-f1E?fs=1" height="385" width="480" Video Two: This video is the beginning of one of the many variations of movies for this book. It shows you what Pip went through when he met the escaped convict. It introduces you to Pip and tells you some of his life story. You learn that his parents are dead and that he lives with his sister and her husband. You also see the courage Pip has. He is only a child when this happens, he faced a scarry man and came through with a promise he made. He shows that he is mature and can handle situations. This video makes you want to watch the rest of the movie inorder to see what happens. Critic Reviews: "Boring, dull, lifeless, and flat. This is so drawn out and boring I kept having to remind myself what the plot was. Best to get someone else to sum up the story rather than undergo the torture of reading it." - Chicklet

"I love this book! This is one of my all-time favorite books ever." - Amazon user

"An outstanding book that I read this year was Great Expectations. This was a wonderful classic written by the magnificent author Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens wrote a book that truly captivated the power of human love. He showed us that life can be very difficult, and you have to work very hard in order for you to succeed. " -Dan

"It is an aspiring tale in that it tells the reader that they, too, may be able to have widespread class mobility. They are not stuck in their present circumstances and may indeed exceed their own expectations." - Micheal Gordon