Honors World Literature

Summer Reading Guide Welcome to Conestoga High School! This summer, all ninth graders are to read Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie. In addition to Haroun and the Sea of Stories, honors level students must read Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Great Expectations was published in 1856, and the language and style may present challenges for some readers. The novel is the coming-of-age story of Philip Pirrip, better known as Pip, as he matures from young boy to gentleman in Victorian England. We will be spending approximately 3-4 weeks on the novel, which will include an objective test and essay. To further your understanding and appreciation of the novel, the following strategies are highly recommended. CHARACTERS Below is a list of characters in Great Expectations. It is suggested that you take a few notes about each character as you read. In particular, look for: descriptions of each character, his/her relationship to Pip, and other roles in the novel. You should also note any major changes (physical and psychological) in the character. If you have your own book, you can underline or highlight the text when the character appears and for any other pertinent information. Aged Parent (Aged P.) Arthur Bentley Drummle Biddy Camilla Clara Barley Compeyson

"Dolge" Orlick Estella Herbert Pocket Joe Gargery John Wemmick Matthew Pocket Miss Havisham

Miss Skiffins Molly Mr. Jaggers Mr. Pumblechook Mr. Trabb Mr. Trabb's Boy Mr. Wopsle

Mrs. Joe Gargery Philip Pirrip ("Pip") Sarah Pocket The Avenger (Pepper) The Convict

PLOT Great Expectations has an intricate and complex plot, so it will important to pay attention to details. On the following pages is a timeline organizer for the novel. Feel free to use this or create your own to keep track of important events.

CLOSE READING During our study of the novel, we will analyze several key passages in the text. Below is a preview of the passages we will examine. Take note of where in the novel the passage occurs, the context (what is happening) and any possible significance this passage illustrates (for example, does it exemplify characterization or foreshadowing, etc.?). If you have your own copy of the text, you may want to mark or highlight these passages as we will be referring to them during class.

Chapter 8: She was dressed in rich materials—satin, and lace, and silks—all white. Her shoes were white. And she had a long white veil dependent from her hair, and she had bridal flowers in her hair, but her hair was white. Some bright jewels sparkled on her neck and on her hands, and some other jewels lay sparkling on the table. Read to end of next paragraph. Chapter 15: Whatever I acquired, I tried to impart to Joe. This statement sounds so well, that I cannot escape my conscience let it pass explained. I wanted to make Joe less ignorant and common, that he might be worthier of my society and less open to Estella’s reproach.

Chapter 17: Imperceptibly I became conscious of a change in Biddy, however. Her shoes came up at the heel, her hair grew bright and neat, her hands were always clean. She was not beautiful—she was common, and could not be like Estella—but she was pleasant and wholesome and sweet-tempered. She had not been with us more than a year (I remember her being newly out of mourning at the time it struck me), when I observed to myself one evening that she had curiously thoughtful and attentive eyes; eyes that were very pretty. Chapter 29: There was no discrepancy of years between us, to remove her far from me; we were of nearly the same age, though of course the age told for more in her case than in mine; but the air of inaccessibility which her beauty and her manner gave her tormented me in the midst of my delight, and at the height of the assurance I felt that our patroness had chosen us for one another. Wretched boy!

Chapter 44: “Who am I?” cried Miss Havisham, striking her stick upon the floor and flashing into wrath so suddenly that Estella glanced up at her in surprise, “Who am I, for God’s sake, that I should be kind!”

Chapter 57: For, the tenderness in Joe was so beautifully proportioned to my need, that I was like a child in his hands. He would sit and talk to me in the old confidence, and with the old simplicity, and in the old unassertive, protecting way. . . As I became stronger and better, Joe became a little less easy with me. In my weakness and entire dependence on him, the dear fellow had fallen into the old tone . . . Joe’s hold upon them began to slacken; and whereas I wondered at this, at first, I soon began to understand that the cause of it was in me, and that the fault of it was all mine.

Time Line of Events Great Expectations

Name _______________________________ Honors World Literature

It is suggested that you keep a timeline of events for the novel. You may want to stop every couple of chapters and review what has happened. Here are some suggested places to stop. This material will not be collected when you return to school. This is meant to help students prepare for the summer reading test and class discussion. Chapters 1- 4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-16

Chapters 17-20

Chapters 21-24

Chapters 25-28

Chapters 29-32

Chapters 33-36

Chapters 37-40

Chapters 41-44

Chapters 45-48

Chapters 49-52

Chapters 53-56

Chapters 57-59