Abstract
Charles Dickens's Great Expectations (1860-1) is his thirteenth novel and his second one depicting the adventure of a boy's growth to manhood. Like David Copperfield, it is narrated in the first person who is the protagonist. But the protagonist, Pip is characterized more dependent on Dickens's experience of his own life. Angus Wilson compares it with David Copperfield and says that the self in Great Expectations came from a much deeper, bitter, and yet more secure review of his own life.
Moreover, an aspect of father who bears some relation to Pip's self-formation is described more clearly in the novel than in David Copperfield. The relationship between father and son is a main point in this novel.
The purpose of this study is to search for Pip's self-formation and self-understanding which are related to his four fathers. The first is Pip's real father who has been dead already, the second is Mr. and Mrs. Joe and the last is Magwitch a prisoner who has delivered foods and a rasp to Pip.
Finally, it is to be brought to light that Pip's confusion of his father is born from Dickens's confusion itself.
