Great Expectations Context and Background

Social, Cultural, and Literary Background

1.       Take the “Opinion Survey;” we will reference this as we read.

2.      Grudzina Lecture Note

a.      In groups, you will be assigned one of these sections to read and engage in any further research:

                                                        i.            Dickens’ biography

                                                     ii.            Corn Laws

                                                   iii.            Social Class/The Gentleman

                                                    iv.            Transportation of Convicts

                                                      v.            Pip’s Social Struggle,

                                                    vi.             Literature and the Industrial Revolution

b.      Incorporate at least one visual in order to teach the key concepts to the rest of the class.

c.       As time permits, consult the following web sources:

                                                        i.            42 Explore: Thematic Pathfinders for All Ages, “Charles Dickens.” June 2004. http://www.42explore.com/dickens.htm

                                                     ii.            BBC Homepage History, “Historic Figures: Charles Dickens” at http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/dickens_charles.shtml

                                                   iii.            The Charles Dickens Page at: http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/shoppe2.html.

                                                    iv.            Dickens Homepage by the BBC at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/dickens/ 

                                                      v.            “Dickens Made Simple” (Formerly Dickens for Dummies) at: http://dickensfordummies.homestead.com

                                                    vi.            “Talking to Dickens” by TES Education, Ltd. at: http://www.talkingto.co.uk/ttcd/index.asp?AuthorID=5.

19th century European Art--the Romantics to the Realists and the Impressionists

 “The Gleaners” and “Woman with Rake,”  Jean Francois Millet, 1857

“Peasant Woman with Rake (after Millet),” Vincent Van Gogh, 1889