How does dickens intergrate the title in his book in Great Expectations?

Answer 1

The book Great Expectations was named after Pip's own expectations, and how they change over time. His one recurring main expectation is that Estella would be his.

In English Victorian society, having expectations meant amounting or destined to gain vast amounts of fortune. However, in Great Expectations, Dickens referred to the literal sense of the word: a belief that something will happen without proof.

Answer 2

The word "expectations" was not used in the modern meaning--that is, a hoping for something. It was used in Dickens' time to mean an inheritance. So the title Great Expectations refers to Pip's windfall inheritance--his great expectations.

Answer 3

In "Great Expectations," Charles Dickens integrates the title by exploring the themes of ambition, social class, and self-improvement. The concept of “great expectations” symbolizes the protagonist Pip’s desire for a better life and the societal pressures he faces. Additionally, the title reflects the contrast between Pip’s expectations and the reality of his experiences throughout the novel.