Besides the obvious parallels between their titles, Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and Mike Leigh’s High Hopes (1988) have a lot in common in their thematic developments. One interesting commonality I’ve seen in both the film and the novel is Great Expectations’ Pip is loosely represented in both Cyril and Valerie's characters.
Analyzing Valerie's character, she represents what Pip could have been if he would have not become happy in living modestly. Not satisfied with her working-class upbringing, she is constantly yearning to live the “perfect” upper-class life. She feeds her obsession by buying material things and comparing her life to that of her mother’s wealthy neighbors’ Rupert and Laetitia. Even though Valerie has married a man who seems to make a lot of money, she never seems satisfied.
With that being said, Pip’s enlightening moment is portrayed through Cyril. At the end of the novel, Pip comes to realize that money and status is not all there is to life, much like Cyril has. Unlike his sister, Cyril has come to terms with his working-class status and is happy with his current life and relationship with Shirley. Pip comes to the same terms and ends the novel content with a modest way of life. Valerie ends the film still miserable as ever by showing the audience what Pip could have been if superficiality and greed would have overtaken his life.
Wow. That is an amazing way to compare the books. I did not connect that these are the two ways that Pip could have potentially turned out depending on what he chose to truly pursue out of life at the end of the book. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love your analysis! The whole idea that the siblings represent different avenues of life, and how Pip might have turned out or did turn out based on what he pursued is fantastic! I guess how I interpret the situation after reading this is that each character in High Hopes represents a different arc in Pip's life. The rise and fall of his wealth in direct conflict with the rise and fall of his empathy and human nature. Well written!
ReplyDeleteHi Raquel!
ReplyDeleteThe human condition is something you touch on frequently in your writing. You mention the dissatisfaction that Cyril's sister faces, and despite her apparent wealth she seems to never find the happiness she craves, as expressed by her obnoxious and overtly assertive tone. Great analysis :)