Expectations

I remember vaguely reading Great Expectations in high school. The number one thing I remember about it was that I hated it. Now when I pick up Dickens book, I do so with a hesitant enthusiasm, wanting to continue the story, but afraid I'll remember why I hated it so much.
I think what initially threw me off of Dickens was his plain style of writing. Although the language is simple, there is a lot of it, and it was hard as a sophomore in high school to take all of those words in. Now that I'm older, I can appreciate not only the masterful construction of his sentences, but also the careful way in which he creates the plot, and the distinctive voices of the characters.
I also have developed an unexpected sympathy for Estrella and the bitter woman she lives with. Their seclusion, and the hardships they endured, though not the same type as Pip and Joe, deserve some sympathy if not pity on their part.

I finished my essay on time, but I think that given the chance, I could have expanded the paper into a twelve or fifteen page research project. Something to think about.