Chains of Great Expectations

      Pip is talking about actually realizing when something that's done is life changing. Being able to think about what you recently went through and say "Wow, if this didn't take place would I still understand things the way that I do now?" Going to Miss Havisham's house has got to be a life changing experience for Pip. Even the house itself contrasts Pip's past life experiences. All the benefits of the work Pip does is given to his greedy sister.  He doesn't have a chance to grow or learn or even feel appreciated. In visiting Miss Havisham, Pip discovers what it's like to be forced to grow. Even the garden there is rotten because it hasn't been cut back. Pip knows he is mistreated, but now he also gets to see the other end at it's extremes. Eventually I hope Pip finds that these two approaches need to be balanced though i don't believe he's come to that yet. It might be just me, but I think that after his experience at Miss Havisham's, Pip is more open and curious to what others think and do. Though his change in character of innocence is slight. Pip is still feeling guilty when other people are hurt, but mainly now when he's slightly involved. For example, in chapter sixteen, pg 121 "It was horrible to think that I had provided the weapon... I suffered unspeakable trouble while I considered and reconsidered whether I should at last dissolve that spell of my childhood and tell Joe all the story." Pip is more thoughtful and though his conscience is troubled, it is for good reason.
      "Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." In fourth grade I chose to play the viola. Before then I had no clue what I was interested in, and therefore hadn't chosen a career path. Looking back, if I hadn't taken that simple step, I wouldn't know who or what I wanted to be to this day. I find myself more and more interested in music, if it weren't for a simple decision in my premature mind, I wouldn't have been close friends to the members in the string quartet(we formed). Because of the hobby that turned into an obseesion I met some really amazing people and found my passion. It's almost scary -the consequences of reactions- and it makes me think more about them.