Great Expectations Group

Question:

kawaiisaito
kawaiisaito
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Chapter 54 contains the climax in the novel. How does Dickens maintain suspense to the end?

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Posted by kawaiisaito on Sunday December 21, 2008 at 12:08 PM and tagged with chapter 54, climax, conclusion, great expectations, suspense.

Answers:


  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Even though Magwitch has been captured, there are still a lot of loose ends to tie up. For one thing, the audience wants to know the final outcome of the relationship between Pip and Estella. We also want to know what will happen to Magwitch, who we have come to like. Included in that question is what will happen to Pip once is benefactor is gone. So Dickens tells us in subsequent chapters about the changes that occur in Pip's personality as a result of all his experiences, how Magwitch dies, and how Pip survives economically. What is left open to question is how Pip's relationship with Estella is resolved. Dickens wrote two endings for his novel. The first ending has Pip and Estella going their separate ways. The second, and more popular ending, implies that they will stay together always. Take your pick. Dickens is still maintaining suspense with his two endings to this day.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/expectations

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Sunday December 21, 2008 at 8:06 PM