quizzes him. "Then I came down here, and I was afeard, and I went back;
but I didn't like to speak to her, because of the gentleman, and I came on
here again" [Johnny Nunsuch] " A gentleman--ah! What did she say to
him, my man?" [Diggory Venn] "Told him she supposed he had not married
the other woman because he liked his old sweetheart best; and things like
that" [Johnny Nunsuch] [Book First, chapter 8, pp. 82] This chance
exchange reveals that Wildeve is meeting with Eustacia. Venn uses this to
his advance by announcing himself to Mrs. Yeobright as a suitor for
Thomasin. This backfires because Mrs. Yeobright tries to use the second
suitor to force Wildeve to marry Thomasin. These events all occur from the
chance meeting between Venn and Johnny Nunsuch. Another example of chance
and coincidence can be seen in the famous gambling scene of Book Third,
chapter VII. This is perhaps one of the most critically examined parts of
the book. " "Very well," said Wildeve, rising. Searching about with the
lantern, he found a large flat stone, which he placed between himself and
Christian, and sat down again. The lantern was open to give more light,
and it's rays directed upon the stone. Christian put down a shilling,
Wildeve another, and each threw. Christian won. They played for two.
Christian won again." [Book Third, chapter 7, pp. 229] This quote
begins the drama of the scene. Mrs. Yeobright had entrusted Christian to
deliver a minor inheritance to Clym and Thomasin. He gets involved in a
dice game with Damon and unfortunately loses all hundred guineas. By
chance, Diggory Venn passes by and in the hope of protecting Thomasin,
wins back all the money from Wildeve. He mistakenly hands over all the
winnings to Thomasin without understanding that part of the money belongs
to Clym. This chance occurrence led to a tragic end. Although he was
trying to do good, Venn succeeded to further create conflict. Critics
agree with this standpoint. "The Return of the Native is concerned with
the 'general malaise in the life of humanity. Man is a pawn in life's
lottery .... Man's life avails him nothing. Men are just incidental in
creation. Man may protest against his fate, but it makes no difference,
he only a plaything, he cannot master his destiny." [Henry Adler] In
these examples and critical quotes, we see the negative stance Hardy is
taking in the immoral theme of chance. Great Expectations by Charles
Dickens is also a classic novel due to its universal theme of true good.
"Great Expectations is Charles Dickens' "most compactly perfect book,"
mainly because of the universal themes that are fully realized throughout
the novel. Furthermore, as an explanation of why Great Expectations is
Dicken's finest work, it becomes necessary study to study the thematic
elements that are prevalent within the storyline." [George Bernard Shaw]
The theme is developed through a character Pirrip Philip, a poor
orphaned boy living with his sister and her husband, Joe. He is a father
figure for the boy and is a hard working blacksmith, loyal and good
friend. While visiting his family's grave site, he is approached by an
escaped convict who demands that Pip bring him food and a metal file. He
does so promptly but the convict is quickly recaptured. After some time he
is hired by an rich eccentric woman named Miss Havisham to be her adopted
daughters playmate. Jaggers, a lawyer, informs Pip that someone has
settled money for the boy and he has "great expectations". " Now I return
to this young fellow. And the communication I got to make is, that he has
Great Expectations" [Chapter 18, pp. 151] For some time now Pip was
disliking the "uncommon" life and started to admire the lifestyle of Miss
Havisham and the upper class. To put it short, he was becoming a snob.
This event advanced the plot and theme. Under the agreement made Pip was
not supposed to know who his benefactor was although he believed it to be
Miss Havisham. One evening while living in England, a stranger appears to
visit Pip. It was the convict of his youth. Named Magwitch, he has been
Pip's benefactor all along. This was his way of repaying his charity as a
youth. The events that follow with Magwitch teach Pip love and humility.
His snobbish quality is removed. After the convicts death, Pip becomes ill
and is nursed back to health by his true friend Joe. The money that he is
handed changes his personality and causes him to ignore the people that he
has known fondly his entire life but finally realizes that true goodness
comes from a person rather than their social class. This shows that wealth
and position can be corrupting. This theme is present today as it ever was
during Dickens time. From a personal standpoint, these novels have had
an impressive influence on my life and the way I think as it would for
anybody of my age and education. By absorbing the themes of true goodness
and chance, I have enlightened myself. I realize that money, power or
property does not necessarily make a person good but rather that depends
on the individual. The tale of Pip can serve as the perfect guide not to
become a victim of false ideology. Undoubtedly people of my age should
come away with a better understanding of life and our place in the world
just as I have. It is quite appropriate for people of our education level
to be enriched in the world of classic literature. The timeless nature of
the stories is reason enough. Regardless of the great amount of reading,
I can truthfully say that I enjoyed the experience. Classics hold
something for all people so therefore I would recommend it to others being
on our grade level or not.
Work Cited Dickens, Charles. Great
Expectations, New York: New York Scholastic Inc., 1957 Hardy, Thomas.
The Return of the Native, New York: New York Nal Penguin Inc., 1987
