Great Expectations In the novel Great Expectations, written in 1860 by Charles Dickens, there is an underlying theme of disillusionment, but it is not a melancholy book. The main character, named Pip, has many "great expectations" in his life, but over the course of time these illusions are slowly shattered. This would make one think that this narrative would be a tale of sadness and misery, it is not glum at all because of the friendships, …showed first 75 words of 577 total…

…showed last 75 words of 577 total…felt by the reader. Pip's many disappointments in life only add to his life history. His frustrated goals are never very sad, but they do show him the vicissitudes of life. Through the use of friendship, love, and humor, which is interjected just when the mood started to shift, the author stays away from a lugubrious type of a story. Great Expectations was a very well written novel because of these techniques that were applied.