Great Expectations- The First Stage

When Pip speaks about how a chain is started by the first link, which is the most memorable part of it, he is referring to his first day at Miss Havisham's. This day is one of the most memorable days Pip has ever experienced, the other being when he met his convict. Since he is only 7 years old, he hasn't been out of his house very much, and so this experience really shocks him. He has never seen anybody of high social class like Estella and Miss Havisham, so he does not know that he is common and rough. When Estella tells him frankly that he is plain and common, he feels bad about himself. This chapter also shows Pip's sensitive character, and how Estella's words really hurt him. This day is the start of a new part of Pip's life, and his dream of becoming a gentleman.

A memorable day that began a new part of my life was my very first violin lesson. This day is a very faint memory to me, since I was just 4 1/2 years old, but it was a very important day in my life. On that day that I first placed a violin in my tiny hands, I started a long chain of music. After this first lesson, I became more interested in other types of music, which eventually led to me joining a choir and playing the piano. My passion for music began on this day, and has continued ever since.

Group Essay Collaboration

In my paragraph, I am describing Lady Bracknell's attitude towards marriage. The first idea in my paragraph is how Lady Bracknell thinks that a marriage should be arranged by the parents, and the girl getting married should have no say in the matter. As an example of this I used the quote, “An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself…” Then I went on to describe the stereotypical Victorian mother that Lady Bracknell is, and the way she controlls Gwendolen. The second idea in my paragraph is about Lady Bracknell's obsession with the money of a marriage. I used the quote “A hundred and thirty thousand pounds! And in the funds! Miss Cardew seems to me a most attractive young lady, now that I look at her.” to explain how lady Bracknell does not approve of Cecily until she finds out she is wealthy.

The third and final idea in my paragraph is the Lady Bracknell won't allow Gwendolen to marry someone who is not high in society. I explained how she doesn't think that Jack is a suitable husband for Gwendolen because he does not know his social status since he was found in a handbag. I went on to say that even though Jack was adopted by someone of high social standing, Lady Bracknell does not approve of his background. Finally, in the conclusion I reviewed Lady Bracknell's thoughts on marriage. The last sentence of my paragraph is, "However, these beliefs on marriage are quite contrary to those of her nephew, Algernon Moncrieff." Do you think that this is a good lead into Hania's paragraph on Algernon?