Journal 2: Pip as a Narrator

From the beginning of the story, it is clear that Pip is narrating the story from much later in life. Pip talks about his experiences in the past tense and the present tense. This almost makes the reader think of Pip as two characters: Pip the boy and Pip the narrator. I think Dickens chose to write his story like this for a couple of reasons.

First, Dickens wants us to have a deeper understanding of the main character. Pip the narrator's thoughts help us to understand Pip the boy better. When Joe comes to visit London (starting on pg. 231), Pip the narrator tells us that he didn't want Joe to come. This helps the reader understand how Pip has matured. Having Pip the narrator tell the story also helps the reader understand how Pip the boy feels about himself.

Secondly, Pip the boy and Pip the narrator are different ages so we can gain different insight from each of them. We hear the story from a child's perspective and an adult's perspective. For me, as a child I remember things seeming so huge. Places that I now think are close seemed so far away when I was little. This change of perspective is familiar in Great Expectations as Pip matures.

Because this novel is a first-person narrative, readability is improved. First-person narratives also give readers a sense of ownership in the book. I think Dickens really wanted to have this in Great Expectations.

This style of narration was a smart decision on Dickens' part because it brings a lot more depth to the story. I think Pip is a very reliable narrator. Pip brings a lot to the story both as a narrator and as a character.