1. Dickens is often referred to as the "novelist of childhood." How effectively does he depict the child's mind and imagination through the character of Pip?

2. David Copperfield stands as Dickens's most autobiographical work. Nonetheless, Great Expectations also contains significant autobiographical elements. Examine how Dickens incorporates his own childhood experiences into both novels.

3. Critics consider Pip a complex character due to his significant personal growth throughout the story. The Pip at eighteen is markedly different from the Pip at eight. Outline the stages of his development from childhood to mature responsibility. What errors does he commit? What lessons does he learn?

4. Many attentive readers recognize that the title Great Expectations carries an ironic undertone from the author. What "great expectations" did Pip's benefactor have for him? How is their realization both ironic and disheartening for Pip?

5. Dickens is widely regarded as a formidable critic of Victorian society. Which specific societal issues does he address in Great Expectations? How effective is the novel's critique of these social problems?

6. Dickens claimed that the overall effect of Great Expectations is "exceedingly droll." Do you concur? Can you identify humorous characters and comic scenes that effectively support Dickens's perspective on the novel?