Great Expectations pg 292, Nov. 29th

In this reading Pip is asking Mr. Jaggers who his sponsor is. Mr. Jaggers will not and does not tell Pip who it is. I suspected it was Miss Havisham, but I was wrong again. It turns out to be the convict that Pip had helped in the marshes. The convict says that whoever helps him shall become rich. What if the whole world lived by that? We would be in a lot better shape than we are now. When the convict told Pip it was him he did not believe him and frankly I did not believe hime either. I was, once again, wrong. The convict was telling the truth. He had done a very surprisingly and non- greedy thing at this point in the book. I believe that this marks a major turning point in our readings and I think and hope that this will change the way Pip thinks of money and uses it more wisely and also that he will use it not just for him but for other people’s benefits. I think it rather strange that towards the end of this reading Pip thinks of Estella and how much different it will soon be with her. He almost seems to be obsessing over her and what she will do next. Pip seems to make Estella a very large part in his life. It seems to be believable that Estella is making Pip's mind very stressful and overcome with thought of her. She causes so much pain and stress for Pip and she does not seem to care at all. He thinks of her all the time like a puppy - waiting - for- its- owner - to -come -back - from - the store.

Great Expectations pg 235, Nov. 16th

Pip goes home after a visit from Joe. On his way there in the coach he sits next to the convicts that he ran into in the cemetery. One of which he gave food to. In one of my most recent blogs I posted that the convicts would show up again later in the book. As you can see, the convicts did reappear later in the book. Pip gets off the coach the next stop and stays at a hotel. He reads the local paper in his room and reads that Pumblechook is taking an interest in him. In my opinion, I am surprised that his home town is even thinking about him. They did not treat him with high expectations.
Pip imagines himself being a knight in shining armor. He sees Estella and is astonished by how she has become a beautiful young woman. I am still surprised they still like each other after Pip moved to London. Pip thinks of himself as unworthy compared to Estella. When they are together he feels inadequate. Snapping at him and pushing him along to get closer to Estella is Miss Havisham.
He returns to London disappointed and goes to Herbert who tries to cheer him up. He tells him of how he is in Love with Estella, but he does not intend on marrying her. Herbert says that he too loves a girl named Clara who is his Fiancé, but he cannot marry her because of his penury lifestyle. Pip and Herbert go to the theatre where Wopsle is playing Hamlet. Pip takes Wopsle out to dinner where his mood remains the same.
The prison is probably not the best place for Pip when Wemmick takes him for a tour. Oddly enough Wemmick feels at home in the prison grounds. I ask myself why would he feel at home in a prison and why would he Bring Pip to a prison? He introduces him to a man who is sentenced to death by hanging.
Pip spends a lot of time with Estella in London. Pip wonders why Miss Havisham has not yet told people of their engagement. They both go and visit Miss Havisham. Miss Havisham encourages Estella to break up with Pip, and to keep breaking men’s hearts. The relationship between Estella and Miss Havisham is cold. They treat each other like ice. This confuses me because I thought they liked each other when Estella was living with her, but I guess not.

Great Expectations Pg176, Nov 15th

In this reading the author tells about Pip going away to London. Pip does no t know what to think about leaving everything behind. Joe and Biddy do not like to talk about it unless Pip brings it up. They seem like they want him to leave, but when he does leave they ended up crying during his departure. Emotions are something not many people like to show very often. They state their opinions like when Joe and Biddy only talked about Pip leaving whenever he mentioned it. Pip knew they cared about him going away and living with Mr. Jaggers, and becoming rich, and not seeing him for the longest time. Joe and Pip said to each other that they would never forget each other. This saying of the goodbyes tells the reader that Joe will, hopefully, return later in the book.

The rich life in London requires gentlemen to be well dressed, so in saying this Pip went out and bought new clothes. He met with Mr. Trabb and was measured. Suits were not exactly Pip’s choice of clothing style, but he enjoys them. Pip also went to the hatter’s, the boot maker’s, and the hosier’s. Pip said that he felt like Mother Hubbard’s dog because she always dressed him into outfits that required he services of many trades. He sent all of items he ordered to Mr. Pumblechook’s home where he went to visit. Him and Mr. Pumblechook had dinner and talked about the departure of Pip. One of Pip’s dearest friends was Mr. Pumblechook.

Before Pip left for London he went to converse with Miss Havisham. Her home was a hovel and looked the same as before when Pip came in. Sarah Pocket, the lady who watches over Miss Havisham was completely shocked by the appearance of Pip. He showed up in the brand new suite he ordered. Miss Havisham, the cadaverous lady who was nothing but kind to Pip, was greatly appreciated by Pip for everything she has done to help Pip. Pip will never forget Miss Havisham and the readers probably will not either.

On Pip’s final day with his family he had dinner with them and said his goodbyes. At this point everybody was crying except Pip. The readers must be thinking why have they not shown they cared this much before? Pip gave his sister a hug, then Biddy, and finally Joe. He walked out the door and turned around to see them for the last time. Pip felt something behind him. Joe and Biddy each threw a shoe at him. As a reader I thought that was quite strange, but it was also quite funny. Pip eventually cried before he got on the coach thinking about his soon-to-be past life of living in the village.

In London Pip received a letter saying Joe was coming to visit. At that moment Pip was probably elated about the upcoming news. Pip had to gird himself for the upcoming visit. When Joe finally came Pip could hear him coming up the staircase, stand in front of the door, and breathe through the keyhole. Joe was welcomed in and they chatted about what was going on back home. As time passed Joe said it was time for him to go. Pip was surprised that Joe said he did not belong here with Pip. He said they were too different and that he belonged back home. Joe left and Pip chased him outside into the streets, but could not find him. At this time the readers must be thinking why he left so abruptly and why he even came to visit in the first place.

Great Expectations Pg113, Nov 9th

In this reading of Great Expectations, Pip still thinks of himself as uncommon. He goes to the Three Jolly Bargemen with Joe and friends. Pip gets the feeling one of the gentleman sitting with them has a dislike for Pip. He gives him a stare that looks as if he is aiming a gun at Pip. A while later the strange man gives Pip a shilling wrapped in two one-pound notes. This gives the reader a chance to predict that the man might or will show up later in the book.

When Pip is with Estella she thinks of him as a bad kid. The man on the stairs also thinks the same way about him. He says, “You behave yourself.” Why does he automatically assume he is the bad kid? A majority of the characters in the book think of him as the kid who always gets into trouble. Pip is not the worst person in this book.

The author must have really thought hard to think of a character like Mrs. Havisham. She is creepy, but enjoyable. She is not someone who would imbue another. She makes the reader think of what you would do if you ever met someone like Mrs. Havisham. So far, she is one of my favorite characters in the book. Mrs. Havisham is a unique woman because of her home. Her home is stuck in time from her wedding night. The cake on the table has never been touched except by the mice and insects roaming her home.

Mrs. Havisham treats Pip almost like a son. She doesn’t see him as the boy who always gets into trouble. When she sends Pip away to go with Joe, Pip seems to feel she gave him away. She said she was Pip’s master and gave Pip to Joe. By doing this she said Joe was Pip’s new master. Joe and Pip were talking about Pip visiting Mrs. Havisham because Pip had never thanked her. Joe said she probably would not want a visit.

Mr. Jaggers is a lawyer from London who is in town to be involved in solving the murder case. He visits with Joe and Pip and tells Pip that he will receive a great deal of money for educational purposes. Joe and Biddy seem to be quite cruel to Pip at the end of the reading. They seem to talk about him in mean ways. Pip knows they talk about him, but they should learn not to talk about him like that, especially Joe, who is the closest to Pip.

Great Expectations Pg55, Nov 1st

In the book we meet a boy named Philip Perrip. Pip is very gullible. A man in drags took bread from him and he made Pip bring him food or he said his friend would kill him. I would have a heart attack if anyone jumped me. I would go straight to the police.
His sister Mrs. Joe seems rude and ugly. She’s married to a blacksmith and raised Pip by hand when their parents died. She doesn’t treat him like her son. She treats him like he isn’t really part of the family. He doesn’t deserve to be treated that way.
I think it was a horrible idea for Pip to steal food from Mrs. Joe. He should have told her what happened in the graveyard. If I was him I would have gone home and told my parents right away.
In the book Mrs. Joe goes and hears that Miss Havisham wants a child to go over to her house and play. Mrs. Joe immediately wants him to go over and play, because she thinks she will give him some of her money. In my opinion, I don’t think she will give him anything. She might give him something in the end.
This lady we find is a very pale old lady. The laggard lady is almost psychotic. The woman seems like she is just an innocent bitter old woman who just wants some people, but she doesn't really talk to others. She is a social outcast.
I think Pip will run into the convicts later in the book. This section in the book was very jumpy, but interesting.

Of Mice and Men pg.75-end, 9/12/10

The author writes with more emotion in the last section I read. He shows the characters personalities more. Even Curley’s wife showed more of her character. She isn’t a bad person, people just think of her bad. She likes to talk to people a lot like some of my classmates. All she wanted was to be treated like she was wanted. When she and Lennie got to talking her and him actually had a conversation. Lennie is probably the only one on the ranch that actually treats her normal.
I feel so bad for Lennie when he accidentally killed the puppy. He didn’t mean to kill him he just wanted to pet it. I am not saying it was ok for him to take it from the nest. He should have kept it there. Lennie is one of my favorite characters because of what he does in the book. He kills animals not on purpose, but because he just wanted a pet.
On page 91 when Lennie kills Curley’s wife he doesn’t understand that killing someone is worse than killing an animal. He says, “I done a bad thing. I done another bad thing.” He treats it as though it were like the other killings. George will forgive him after he tells him and he won’t get in trouble for his felonious crime.
When George finds him on the bank by himself he tells him the whole story of how they’re going to live off the fat of the land he also tells him to look out across the river. The author does a great job here with detail and visualization. While Lennie is dreaming about the vision George shoots him before anybody else can get to him. In my opinion, I think that would be the hardest thing I would have to do. I could never shoot my best friend.

Of Mice and Men pg.50-75, 9/6/10

Curley’s wife is something else. She really does not want to be found. All she does all day is hiding from Curley and peaks in on the other guys. On the other hand Curley is always looking for her. Everybody talks and gossips about her and Curley. That just reminds me of high school, how everybody always talks about one another behind each other’s back. George said, “Ranch with a bunch of guys on it ain’t no place for a girl, especially like her.” I definitely agree with him because a girl like her does not belong on a farm, but that doesn’t mean girls don’t belong on a ranch or a farm. She reminds of the girl who always gets her way and likes to flirt with other guys.

Slim was going to give a puppy to Lennie, when they get old enough. Lennie sees them all the time, but what he didn’t know was that the puppies can’t be away from their mother to long because they are too little. Lennie doesn’t know this because he is demented. He puts the one that Slim is going to give him in his lap and pets it. Of course Slim tells Lennie he can’t do that anymore. This, in my opinion, is a little torturous. Lennie wants to pet the puppies, but they get taken away from him like all the other animals he touches. All he wants is something soft, and warm, and loving to have. He wants that because he does not usually get that from the people around him. I think he always wants a pet because he can do whatever he wants to it like pet it or hold it. But the people around never give him that. That’s why he reaches out to animals.

When George brings up how they’re going to buy a farm and live off the land Curley was listening and decides to help them out. He is going to give them a couple hundred bucks to buy it as long as he gets to work on it. Tome I think that’s a fair share. He gives them money, they give him a job. They plan on moving in at the end of the month when they get paid last. When everybody is back in the bunkhouse Curley is trying to start a fight just like George said he would. He ends up hitting Lennie and George tells him to fight back. Lennie doesn’t want to at first, but then he grabs on to his fist and squeezes as hard as he can. He ends up breaking his hand. Lennie faced his fear of fighting. I think he did the right thing by defending himself against Curley because if would have just laid there being beat up he probably would have been the one going to the doctor.

Crooks is the only colored guy on the ranch. Lennie doesn’t know that you’re not supposed to hang out with colored people, which I disagree with, but it was a different time period then. Crooks and Lennie talk about how Crooks grew up on a chicken ranch. Lennie tells him how he’s going to tend to the rabbits when they get a farm. When slim comes he said he’s never been inside Crook’s bunk before. I think that is sad that he has never been in his bunk house just because he’s colored. To me that would be the worst thing ever to be treated like you don’t belong and never will belong.

Of Mice and Men pg.26-50, 8/29/10

Lennie and George were getting settled in to their new bunk house and were both ready to start their new jobs. Lennie was still quiet becuase George was all about first impressions with the boss. When the boss's son comes into visit George and Lennie, him and george " at first glance" did not agree with each other. Curley " the boss's son" does not like people who are larger than him. He's just jealous becuase he wants to be a big guy. While George and Curley are talking George is talking for Lennie. He's saying Lennie is a good fighter and Lennie is a good worker. George George should just shut his mouth for once and let Lennie figh for himself!

I think Georges character is quite amusing. He has a love-hate relasionship with Lennie. This relasionship reminds me of my relasionship with my younger sister. George is very careful about what other people think about Lennie when they first him. He takes good care of Lennie when he's not being selfish. Lennie's Character is my favorite so far, becuase he always thinks what George will think of him. I also have sympathy for Lennie becuase of his problem he has at remebering.

Everybody at the bunkhouse seems to like Lennie, even if he isn't smart. Slim is really nice to him and compliments on his work. Like i said before, Lennie is a nice guy when you get to know him.

I wonder if Slim will let Lennie take one of the puppies? If he gets one of the puppies I think he might harm or kill it. I also feel bad for the old dog to. He doesn't even get a say in it, and at least Candy gets another dog from Slim.

Of Mice and Men pg.1-25, 8/23/10

I thought that this section assignment very riviting to read. I believe George is a little harsh on Lenney. He uses his "problem" to his advantage for example when he made him get firewood and he sat at camp doing nothing.
When they arrive at the ranch Lenney forgot again to not talk when talking with the boss. George always gives him a mean look when he does something he's not suppposed to. George, in my opinion, is really rude and judgemental. He cares what everybody will think of Lenney. Lenney, in my opinion, is really nice but has a problem keeping pets. He tries to be nice to them, but he always kills them with his hands. I feel bad for Lenney because he always gets into trouble and does not do it on purpose.
I can infer that the boss at the ranch is going to fire Lenney becuase of his "problem". Once he sees him working the boss might keep him for the work. George is probably going to take advantage of Lenney again. I hope George is nicer to Lenney in the future.

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