Re: Class Questions Regarding Great Expectations
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Sat, 21 Nov 1998 17:43:43 -0100
My dear Mrs Smith,
No person quite like Estella ever came within the circle of my direct
acquaintance, but in imagining her, and Pip, I suppose I was remembering the
torment I endured, when scarcely more than a boy, thanks to a certain Miss
Beadnell - not a young woman, to be sure, trained to break men's hearts, but
one who broke mine without training. As for Pip's frustration, I believe
that may have owed something to feelings I had for a young lady, after I
took the decision to separate from poor Mrs Dickens. Honour and my respect
for the young lady's reputation forbid me to dilate.
I think you misunderstand the novelist's art when you speak of my writing
a sequel to "Great Expectations." The story of Pip and Estella was finished
with the last words of the book. As a reader you are entitled to imagine
what you will for their future, but I had said everything I needed to say
about them. Comic characters, to be sure, can sometimes endure beyond the
story which gives them birth. Shakespeare re-used Falstaff. I featured Mr
Pickwick and Sam Weller in some of the shorter sections of "Master
Humphrey's Clock." But I had finished with Pip and Estella at the end of
"Great Expectations."
The dramatisation of my books was always something that caused me much
anxiety. Nor am I very familiar with today's actors and actresses,
especially ones who might be known to young Americans. I've a feeling that
Daniel Day Lewis might make a good Joe. He is capable of playing a simple
humble man, good at regional accents, but looks strong and capable. And
he's of the right generation. He could play Joe as a man in perhaps his
late twenties at the beginning, and as a man approaching fity at the end.
Oliver Reed might make a good Magwitch, an actor who can exude danger, but
show tenderness as well. For Miss Havisham I'd be inclined to choose Maria
Aitken, lovely still, but no longer young, and certainly lean. Make up
could transform her into the ruin of a young bride, and she has the passion
to play the part. Miranda Richardson could make an excellent Estella -
beautiful, but capable of a kind of cold ruthless intensity, as well as
warmth. I think I should prefer to leave the choice for Pip to the young
ladies in your class.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
____________________________________________________________________________
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>Dear Mr. Dickens,
> Our ninth grade (14 year old) English classes have just finished
>reading Great Expectations, and we have voted on a few questions we would
>like to ask you.
>
>1. Is the relationship between Pip and Estella based on a relationship in
>you own life?
>
>2. If you were to write a sequel to Great Expectations, what would happen
>between Pip and Estella?
>
>3. If you were charged with the responsibility of casting a new film version
>of Great Expectations, which well known actors would you cast in the roles
>of Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham, Joe and Magwitch?
>
>Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>The 9th grade English I Gifted and Talented students, Stratford High School,
>Houston, Texas, USA
>
>Miss Faubert and Mrs. Smith
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author