Read the Opening Scene

Writers use various literary techniques to make the words on a page come alive. You will now read the very first scene from Chapter 1 of Great Expectations. As you read, notice how Dickens’s writing style—his imagination, use of imagery, descriptive language, and dialogue—makes this scene so vivid.

Great Expectations: Chapter 1 excerpt [PDF]

Then reread the passage using Highlight It below. Note memorable words and phrases that Dickens uses to set the scene, create the mood, and describe the characters.

Click Highlight It to begin reading.

Opening Scene

Highlight the text that helps you answer the prompt.

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Here are some words you will encounter that may be unfamiliar:

aforesaid—Previously said
alder tree—A species of tree belonging to the birch family
coarse—Of inferior quality
dyke (dike)—Raised earth to prevent or direct water
flint—A sharp rock
lair—The living or hiding place of a wild animal
leaden—Grayish
lozenges—A triangular or parallelogram shape
nettles—A species of flowering herbal plant
pint—As used here, a substitute for the word “point”
pollard—A tree cut back to the trunk