Great Expectations: The First Stage

"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 the quote Pip is referring to his first visit at Miss Havisham's. During his visit Estella says,"With this boy! Why, he is a common labouring-boy!"(60) and follows up later with, "He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy!....and what coarse hands he has. And what thick boots!"(60) Once Estella says these things, Pip begins to change. He feels ashamed and embarrassed because he doesn't want to be low class and have people react/treat him how Estella had; he doesn't want people to patronize him. After this day Pip was more aware of social standings and how his actions affected that. He constantly worried of people, especially Miss Havisham and Estella, finding out of his "unclassy" behavior and messy job.

A day that began my "chain" was during the summer. Someone close to me, who cannot be named, was taken to the hospital after hurting herself from being unhappy. Once I heard what had happened it definately changed my outlook on life and the way I live. She let stress and unhappiness overpower her and she gave into it. After that day I decided that I never wanted to be in that situation so I changed. I began to think happier and try to not give into stress by doing things that would keep me happy and looking forward. I wasn't going to concentrate on my mistakes anymore; I didn't want to endure that much pain like she had. I also had to step up and become mature so I could watch over her and make sure she stayed balanced, emotionally, and not repeat what had happened.

The Importance of Being Earnest Group Essay

Group Essay Thesis: In the play The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde uses dialogue to represent the individual styles of each relationship in order to convey the stereotypical relationships in the Victorian Era.

In my paragraph my main topic is Algernon and Cecily's relationship and how it is exaggerated and semi-fake. My first point is how Cecily fell in love with Algernon("Ernest") from hearing about him. In order to love someone you need to meet the person so you can get to know the real person. Plus by hearing about the person you may be told lies in order to make the person seem better and more suitable.

My second point is how Algernon Falls in love with Cecily mainly for her beauty and appearance. Beauty was important in the Victorian Era since a woman who isn't appealing to a man wouldn't be married off quite as easily as a woman who is very pretty. Also beauty can shield one's personality from people and by being "blind" a person might overlook and be oblivious to unpleasant personality traits.

My third and final point in my paragraph is how people, mainly women in this case, make up or fantasize of a relationship to make themselves feel wanted and needed. Like Cecily, women that live in the country don't have many eligible men to meet and flirt with, so they think of their ideal relationship. If they dream and imagine too much they may eventually convince themselves that their ideal made up relationship is reality.