Charles Dickens and Great Expectations

 

  1. Charles Dickens is considered to be one of the greatest English novelists of which time period?
  2. Describe in detail the time period in which Great Expectations is set
  3. Who was the queen of England during this time?
  4. How old was she when she took the throne?
  5. What 3 major events took place during her reign?
  6. What were the Corn Laws?
  7. What was the Great Exhibition of 1851?
  8. What 3 things characterize Dickens’ works?
  9. When and where was Charles born?
  10. Where was Dickens’ family when he was working in a blacking warehouse?
  11. What is a blacking warehouse?
  12. Where did Dickens study and receive his education?
  13. When and how did his career as a fiction writer start?
  14. What was the name of his wife?  Who was she?
  15. Other than Great Expectations, name 3 of his other published works.
  16. Write a brief summary of the plot of the novel Great Expectations.
  17. What elements of Great Expectations make it very similar to Dickens’ own life?

 

Give a description for the following characters:

 

  1. Pip
  2. Estella
  3. Miss Havisham
  4. Abel Magwitch     
  5. Joe Gargery
  6. Mrs. Joe
  7. Biddy
  8. Jaggers
  9. Finally, list 3 themes found in Great Expectations.