Great Expectations (eBook)

Charles Dickens, born on February 7, 1812, in Portsmouth, England, holds a towering presence in the world of English literature. Recognized for his remarkable characters, biting social commentary, and vivid storytelling, his works are considered classics, resonating through the ages. Dickens began his career with the serialization of 'The Pickwick Papers' in 1836 and quickly rose to fame for novels that highlighted the stark social inequalities of Victorian England. He possessed an ingenious flair for marrying the comedic with the grave, and the grotesque with the commonplace. 'Great Expectations,' one of his seminal works, published in 1860, exemplifies his literary prowess. Through the complex moral development of the protagonist, Pip, Dickens explores themes of ambition and desire against a backdrop of a rigid class structure. Dickens' narrative techniques and masterful use of language, including his distinctive use of irony, satire, and well-crafted dialogue, affirm his novels as pedagogical cornerstones (Collins, 1996). His prolific output includes other monumental works such as 'David Copperfield' (1850) and 'A Tale of Two Cities' (1859). He remained a prolific novelist until his death on June 9, 1870, leaving a legacy that endures in literature courses worldwide, and ensuring his place as a literary luminary (Forster, 1872-1874; Schlicke, 2011).