Great Expectations (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism) [Paperback]

Charles Dickens (Author), Janice Carlisle (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312080824 | ISBN-13: 978-0312080822 | Publication Date: July 15, 1995 | Edition: First Edition

Adopted at more than 1,000 colleges and universities, Bedford/St. Martin's innovative Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism series has introduced more than a quarter of a million students to literary theory and earned enthusiastic praise nationwide. Along with an authoritative text of a major literary work, each volume presents critical essays, selected or prepared especially for students, that approach the work from several contemporary critical perspectives, such as gender criticism and cultural studies. Each essay is accompanied by an introduction (with bibliography) to the history, principles, and practice of its critical perspective. Every volume also surveys the biographical, historical, and critical contexts of the literary work and concludes with a glossary of critical terms. New editions reprint cultural documents that contextualize the literary works and feature essays that show how critical perspectives can be combined.

Product Details

• Paperback: 641 pages
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; First Edition edition (July 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312080824
• ISBN-13: 978-0312080822
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-rounded look at a classic, December 26, 1999

By 

Beth Michael "irishmommy29" (Washington D.C. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Expectations (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism) (Paperback)

The Bedford edition of this classic novel contains more than the typical Charles Dickens tale. In addition to the text are five excellent essays on this novel. Often Great Expectations is taught in a mundane and archaic manner. This edition allows both the student and teacher to approach the text from several twentieth century schools of thought. Peter Brooks in particular offers an excellent psychonanalytic interpretation. This text is a welcome addition to any classroom.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved Great Expectations!, February 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Expectations (Barron's Book Notes) (Paperback)

I heard for a long time that Great Expectations was a very dull book, so I didn't read it until now. When I began reading it, I thought, all those people were wrong about this book! It was so interesting and I could hardly put it down! I thought the entire story was absolutely fantastic. The book made you really get into the characters. The part that I also enjoyed about it was that it wasn't just a cheesy romance novel. It had other things in it besides those about Estella and Pip. I was also very impressed becuase it wasn't a book that I could read in a couple days with no trouble. I actually had to think about it while I read it! Needless to say, this book was one of, if not THE best book I've ever read. I would recommend it to anyone, as a matter of fact I've inspired not only some of my friends to read it, but also my favorite English teacher who has never had the joy of reading it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable to read and reflect upon after, March 6, 2011

By 

Monte "Watch lover!" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Expectations (Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism) (Paperback)

Charles Dickens was one of four authors I consistently heard others rave about, and his novel, "Great Expectations," was one of his works everyone always cited as his greatest masterpiece. So as this makes the first of a Charles Dickens review, I'm not able to comment on whether "Great Expectations" is his greatest masterpiece. I can only comment on the work itself.

The story is intriging and strikes a cord with the reader. A boy's dream of leaving the common life (our blue collar/lower middle class, for today's equivalent) for a greater life, one with great expectations, was entertaining. I always left the book and entered the book with the same expectations of my own, what will happen next!? Although it isn't a page turner, it is a very entertaining read and does make you think once the book is all said a done. The ending is extremely questionable and does have me questioning what was Charles Dickens thinking of when he created the ending to Pip's tale. I want to be careful as to not spoil the ending, but the alternate, which is provided as an addendum in the back of the book (atleast in my edition), is also questionable as well. To me it seems as if Dickens took some time off to brood about Pip's journy and to reflect on a proper ending; but neither endings, in my opinion, do the novel any justice. The alternate ending was written after a friend of Dickens advised him of creating a different ending. Sorry I can't be any more specific. I give the book a 4/5.

The novel is a good read so pace yourself. Don't expect to finish it in one week.


-Charles Dickens "Great Expectations" by The Modern Library with an introduction by Bernard Shaw.

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