Perhaps the reason why these two novels share some of the same qualities is because they both reflect painful experiences which occurred in Dickens' past. During his childhood, Charles Dickens suffered much abuse from his parents.1 This abuse is often expressed in his novels. Pip, in Great Expectations, talked often about the abuse he received at the hands of his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery. On one occasion he remarked, "I soon found myself getting heavily bumped from behind in the nape of the neck and the small of the back, and having my face ignominously shoved against the wall, because I did not answer those questions at sufficient length."2

While at the orphanage, Oliver from Oliver Twist also experienced a great amount of abuse. For example, while suffering from starvation and malnutrition for a long period of time, Oliver was chosen by

16 Alexander Welsh, The City of Dickens (Oxford: Claredon Press, 1971) 107-108.

3 Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist (New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company, 1949) 16-17.

2 Charles Dickens, Great Expectations (New York: The Heritage Club, 1939) 69.

4 Katharine E. Wilkie, Charles Dickens, The Inimitable Boz (New York: Abelard -

Pip, on the other hand, is a dreamer. His imagination is always helping him to create situations to cover up for his hard times. For example, when questioned about his first visit to Miss Havisham's house, he made up along elaborate story to make up for the terrible time he had in reality. Instead of telling how he played cards all day while being ridiculed and criticized by Estella and Miss Havisham, he claimed that they played with flags and swords all day after having wine and cake on gold plates.15 However, one special quality possessed by Pip that is rarely seen in a novel's hero is that he wrongs others instead of being hurt himself all of the time.16

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2033
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)