The Two Endings of Charles Dickens Great Expectations Essay

The Two Endings of Charles Dickens Great Expectations No novel is complete without a good ending. Although the introductory and middle portions are important as well, the conclusion is what the reader tends to remember most. When Charles Dickens wrote Great Expectations, he crafted a work that is truly excellent the whole way through. From the moment Pip is introduced until he and Estella walk out of the garden in the final chapter, this book exhibits an uncanny ability to keep the reader wanting more. There is, however, some debate regarding the final portion of the novel. The ending that Dickens originally wrote for Great Expectations is noticeably different than the one that was subsequently published. It seems†¦show more content†¦Although no mention of past events is made, Pip can tell that Estella had been through misery more intense than that which he himself had gone through almost ten years prior. This misery, Pip believes, has enabled Estella to understand the suffering that he had once felt. Through the years, a number of individuals have argued that this is the best way for the novel to conclude. These people tend to believe that this ending is more true to the overall tone of the novel than the revised finale. Great Expectations never exists as a typically happy story. Its plot is marked by constant disappointment and suffering, which would therefore make the application of a happy, romantic ending seem rather unnatural. By the end of the story, Pip has learned a great deal about himself and reached a new level of maturity. He has come to recognize the mistakes that he had made as a young man and is able to appreciate the importance of family. No longer is he consumed by a selfish desire for wealth and social status. Pip’s primary motivation for attaining such a gentlemanly status had been his desire to marry Estella. By the end of the novel, however, Pip’s character has been redeemed. He has progressed beyond the point in his life th at was represented by his love for Estella. This deliverance would then seem to make it impossible for Pip to continue loving Estella. She was a part of his youth; Pip, however, has become a man. AnotherShow MoreRelatedCharles Dickens Great Expectations: End Analysis1039 Words   |  4 PagesAs Aristotle suggests, an ending must simply be the logical conclusion of all that has preceded it. An illogical ending will yield an unsatisfying narrative, and even a surprise ending must have some internal consistency to it. Therefore, internal consistency is a criterion of a good literary ending. Another criterion of a good literary ending is that it be one that is consistent with the theme and tone of the novel. The ending must also leave the reader with the impact intended by the author. 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