It's Over!!!

I finished the book and I'd say that it had a relatively happy ending. Pip meeting Estella was a good way to finish with Pip getting the girl as I previously stated. Magwitch died which was no huge surprise, but it still was somewhat shocking. However, Orlick being a giant mastermind behind killing Mrs. Joe and swearing vengence on Pip. I have one question though. What is up with Joe marrying Biddy? Joe has to be like 40 and Biddy is around Pip's age. That caught me by surprise. I liked how Dickens made Joe successful at the end. He's learned to read and write, he has a wife, and has a more gentlemanly appearance. I'm still confused about one thing. How did Orlick figure all of this out? Dickens may have explained it in the book, but I didn't catch it. I liked how Pip had to return to the marshes where he first met Magwitch. I thought it was nice how Pip returned to the original place where his story started.

Coincidences

These few chapters probably had the most coincidental coincidences of any others before them. Highly unrealistic things were popping up left and right in these chapters. First off, whoa. Molly is Estella's mother!? At least that is what Pip thinks. That threw me for a loop in the first place. But wait, thatr is not it. The weirdest thing to happen so far in this book is not Miss Havisham being nice to Pip and then being lit on fire, which was pretty weird, but her being lit on fire and surviving! Pip some how manages to run from the garden to her room without her dying. That just seemed a little odd to me. However, I'm still not done. Pip now suspects that Magwitch is Estella's father. Since Magwitch considers PIp his son that would make him and ZEstella sisters. That meanas that Pip has been wanting to marry his sister. That got a little too crazy for me.

Compeyson's coming

These few chapters were okay. There was more suspense than there was action, which is fine at some points, but this got to be too much. Chapter 47 was the most in my opinion. I thought it odd that Pip would go to the theater to relax. He never really expressed a large intrest in it as far as I'm concerned. I was also suprised that Wopsle recognized the convict from the marsh. I had actually forgotten that he had gone with Pip and Joe. Since Compeyson's appearence is likely to be in the next chapter, I expect a series of highly improbable coincidences. I have a bad feeling about Herbert as well. I feel his role has diminished and that Dickens is removing him from the story. I wonder what other farfetched relations Compeyson will have to Pip besides being the man who stood up Miss Havisham.

Exploding brain

Chapter 42 blew my mind. Through a series of eerie coincidences, Magwitch came to know the man who left Miss Havisham on their wedding day. Magwitch also swore vengence on him for performing such a rotten deed. I was also delighted to learn that Arthur felt remorse for his vile actions, unlike Compeyson. Also, in chapter 44, Miss Havisham seems to take Pity on Pip which is the opposite of what her personality up to that point would lead us to believe she would do. I feel sorry for Pip as well. After confessing his love for Estella and being shut down for Drummle was probably the most painful thing that did or ever will happen to him. He was obbsessed with the notion only to find that his feelings were not Reciprocated. By the way, Chapter 44 had the Best ending of any chapter yet. "Don't go home." Why do you thinnk that Wemmick wrote this note to Pip telling him not to go home.

38 and 39

These two chapters probably had the most action of any so far. First off, I thought Drummle was gone from the story. But he's back. And he's courting Pip's beloved Estella. At this point Pip still thinks that he is supposed to marry Estella, which in my opinion is some very wishful thinking. She ignores Pip completely, but at least she responds to some of her suitors. Oddly enough, many people in Pip's life are finding partners. Herbert is with Clara, Estella and Drummle, and Wemmick and Miss Skiffins. This is getting very coincidental, but I don't mind too much, as long as all of the characters in this story aren't mysteriously related. The next chapter was tied for my favorite with the chapter when Pip first meets Herbert. We meet Pip's mysterious benefactor! And who woulda thunk it, but it is the first character we meet besides Pip. Unfortunately, I am somewhat skeptical of the wacky way the convict recieved his fortune. Sheep ranching in Australia? Creative on Dickens' part, but highly unrealistic in my opinion. Now that we have a new main character I wonder how the story will change. Also, I curious as to how Herbert will react when he returns.

Tragedy Strikes

A major tragedy caught me somewhat off-guard while reading. Mrs. Joe's death seemed to come as real blow to Pip. Even though she seemed not to like Pip at all, Pip loved her. I'm was also happy to read that Pip decided to be nicer to Biddy and Joe and to visit more often. He said he was sincere, but I am curious as to whether he will follow through. Also, Pip turning 21 seemed to be a large milestone. In our society, 18 is the age of adulthood, but Pip gets his money yearly starting at 21. Also, I think it is awesome that Pip is helping Herbert get into the merchant business. That is really kind of him. However, I think it is even cooler that Herbert now has a mysterious benefactor just like Pip has one. The mystery person is giving Pip money who is giving money to Herbert. Essentially that means that Pip's financier is paying for Herbert's business. People just seem to be throwing money around all over the place.

Chapter 28-32

Lots of crazy stuff happening here. First off, the return of the convict. I have a sneaking suspicion that the convict will begin to play a major role, mostly because I read it on the back cover. It is kind of disturbing that this guy keeps popping up everywhere every few years. Also Wopsle in Hamlet was great. I still can't get over the fact that Wopsle is an actor. It is the perfect occupation for him, but it still seems somewhat unnatural to me. Still more surprising, Herbert has a fiance! I hope to meet Clara sometime soon. I'm also concerned with the fact that Wemmick is so at home in the prison. It gives me the feeling that he was a convict at some point. I'm still curious with Wemmick's background. I don't know much about him and I don't think Dickens mentions much about his past. If he does I didn't understand it.

The Return of Joe

My favorite character lives again! Joe has returned to the story, at least in chapter 27. Speaking of things that return, Pip's snobbishness has once again reared its ugly head. Joe was just telling him news and he was disrespectful yet again. He was only interested when the news involved Estella. The best part of the news was that Wopsle has become an actor. After his re-enactment of the murder case earlier in the book I thought about what a great actor he would make. In regards to the Estella news, I wonder when Pip will go to visit her. He loves her, so I'm guessing that he'll take Herbert to Miss Havisham's house to see her. While he's there, he will neglect to stop by Mrs. Joe's house and catch up with Biddy. Based on Pip's reaction to Joe's visit, that seems highly probable if he goes to meet Estella.

Mr. Jaggers: Lawyer

I love Mr. Jaggers now! His stentorioun voice shook the courtroom. Even the judge was trembling. That must be pretty scary to face. Now I know what makes him a great lawyer. His scathing questions and fierce accusations probably make him a living lawyer legend in England. Unfortunately, this is about all that I understood from the chapter. In Mr. pockets house, the servants run the house apparently which seems somewhat odd. Also, I didn't understand what the deal was with the faces Wemmick showed Pip. This brings me to my next question. What role do you think Wemmick will play later in the story?

Oh my God!

I can't believe it! Herbert, the son of Pip's tutor and Miss Havisham's, is the pale young gentleman whose butt Pip kicked. That was my first reaction. Once I recovered from my surprise, I realized that it really isn't that surprising. Matthew Pocket wouldn't have not acknowledged his cousin's birthday , so he sent his son. Also, I love how the story of Miss Havisham is slowly being pieced together. It turns out that I was somewhat right. She did get devastating news which is why all her clocks were stopped. This leads me to a question for you reader. If you had loved someone and gotten news that they weren't going to return that love and betray you, what would you have done?