20-minute plan
- Review the key takeaways and mark which events you don’t clearly remember
- Flip to the relevant chapters and reread only those specific scenes to fill gaps
- Write a 2-sentence summary of the section for quiz prep
Keyword Guide · comparison-alternative
Great Expectations Chapters 17-22: Notable Events Study Guide
This guide focuses on the core events in Great Expectations Chapters 17-22 that appear in SparkNotes summaries. It’s built for quick quiz review, discussion prep, and essay drafting. Start with the quick answer to get a snapshot of critical moments.
Chapters 17-22 track Pip’s growing discomfort with his working-class roots, his new connection to a London lawyer, and the arrival of a surprising houseguest that upends his sense of stability. These chapters set up Pip’s eventual move to London and reveal hidden ties between central characters. Write three bullet points of the most impactful events to solidify your recall.
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Answer Block
Notable events from Great Expectations Chapters 17-22 refer to plot turns, character choices, and thematic shifts highlighted in SparkNotes summaries of this section. These events drive Pip’s changing self-perception and lay groundwork for later conflicts in the novel.
Next step: Pull up your own annotated copy of the chapters and cross-reference the events listed here with your notes to flag gaps in your understanding.
Key Takeaways
- Pip’s dissatisfaction with his rural life intensifies as he fixates on social status
- A new legal contact provides Pip with a path to his desired upper-class future
- An unexpected visitor challenges Pip’s assumptions about his past and prospects
- These chapters establish guilt and social mobility as core driving themes
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Map each key takeaway to a specific chapter and scene in your own notes
- Complete the discussion kit questions and draft 2 possible thesis statements from the essay kit
- Run through the exam kit checklist to confirm you’ve covered all critical details
- Create a 3-slide mini-presentation of the most impactful event for class discussion
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Cross-reference SparkNotes notable events with your chapter annotations
Output: A side-by-side list of aligned and missed events
Action: Link each notable event to a core theme (social mobility, guilt, identity)
Output: A themed event chart for essay reference
Action: Practice explaining each event’s relevance to the novel’s overall plot
Output: Verbal or written 1-minute breakdowns for discussion prep
Discussion Kit
- Which notable event in these chapters most changes Pip’s trajectory? Explain your choice.
- How do the events in Chapters 17-22 reveal flaws in Pip’s understanding of social class?
- Why might the unexpected visitor’s arrival be framed as a turning point rather than a side plot?
- Which character’s actions in these chapters challenge your initial assumptions about them?
- How do these events set up the conflict between Pip’s desires and his moral obligations?
- What details from these chapters could you use to argue that Pip’s ambition is rooted in fear, not hope?
- How does the setting shift between chapters amplify the impact of the notable events?
- Why might SparkNotes prioritize these specific events over others in the section?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In Great Expectations Chapters 17-22, [notable event] exposes Pip’s dangerous fixation on social status by [specific plot detail], laying the groundwork for his later emotional and moral struggles.
- The unexpected arrival of [character] in Great Expectations Chapters 20-22 recontextualizes Pip’s past choices, revealing that his pursuit of upper-class life is tied to unresolved guilt over [specific childhood experience].
Outline Skeletons
- 1. Intro: Thesis linking a key event to Pip’s evolving identity; 2. Body 1: Analyze the event’s immediate impact on Pip’s actions; 3. Body 2: Connect the event to a recurring theme in the novel; 4. Conclusion: Explain how the event foreshadows Pip’s future conflicts
- 1. Intro: Thesis arguing that these chapters mark Pip’s point of no return; 2. Body 1: Break down two events that push Pip toward London; 3. Body 2: Analyze how other characters react to Pip’s changing mindset; 4. Conclusion: Tie the events to the novel’s critique of social class
Sentence Starters
- The decision to [character action] in Chapter 19 reveals that Pip’s understanding of success is...
- SparkNotes highlights [notable event] because it directly challenges the assumption that...
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can name all 4 key takeaways from Chapters 17-22
- I can link each notable event to at least one core theme
- I can explain how these chapters set up Pip’s move to London
- I can identify the unexpected visitor and their role in the plot
- I can compare Pip’s mindset at the start of Chapter 17 to the end of Chapter 22
- I can list two ways these chapters develop the theme of guilt
- I can recall how other central characters respond to Pip’s changing ambitions
- I can draft a 1-sentence thesis using the essay kit templates
- I can answer 3 discussion kit questions with text-based support
- I can spot the common mistake of overemphasizing minor events over core beats
Common Mistakes
- Focusing on minor, one-off events alongside the key plot turns highlighted in SparkNotes summaries
- Failing to connect Pip’s actions to his underlying desire for social acceptance
- Ignoring the role of secondary characters in driving the notable events of these chapters
- Forgetting that these chapters establish critical backstory that impacts later novel events
- Overstating the suddenness of Pip’s mindset shift without referencing gradual build-up across the chapters
Self-Test
- Name the unexpected visitor in Chapters 20-22 and their key action
- Explain how a legal contact in these chapters changes Pip’s future plans
- Identify one theme that emerges through the notable events of Chapters 17-22
How-To Block
Action: List all notable events from SparkNotes summaries of Chapters 17-22
Output: A plain-text list of 5-7 core plot and character moments
Action: Group each event by theme (social mobility, guilt, identity) and add a 1-sentence explanation of the link
Output: A themed event chart for quick reference
Action: Use the essay kit thesis templates to write two unique arguments based on the chart
Output: Two polished thesis statements ready for essay drafting
Rubric Block
Event Recall & Accuracy
Teacher looks for: Clear, correct identification of all core notable events from Chapters 17-22 as highlighted in SparkNotes summaries
How to meet it: Cross-reference your notes with the guide’s key takeaways and timeboxed plan steps to confirm you haven’t missed critical plot beats
Thematic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Ability to connect each notable event to at least one core novel theme with specific text support
How to meet it: Use the study plan’s themed event chart activity to link events to themes and add concrete details from your annotated chapters
Argument Development
Teacher looks for: Coherent, text-based arguments about the events’ impact on Pip and the novel’s overall plot
How to meet it: Draft thesis statements using the essay kit templates and practice defending them with specific event details from the chapters
Event Context for Class Discussion
These chapters are ideal for debates about social class and personal ambition. Use this before class to prepare a 1-minute take on which event most clearly reveals Pip’s flawed priorities. Write down your take and one supporting detail from the text to share.
Essay Draft Prep
The notable events in Chapters 17-22 provide strong evidence for essays about Pip’s character development or the novel’s critique of wealth. Use the essay kit’s outline skeleton to map your chosen event to a clear argument. Write a 3-sentence intro using one of the thesis templates to start your draft.
Quiz and Exam Review
Focus on the exam kit checklist to target your study time. Skip over minor events that don’t tie to the key takeaways. Test yourself with the self-test questions to confirm your recall before your quiz or exam.
Cross-Referencing Your Notes
If your own chapter notes don’t match the notable events highlighted here, flag the gaps and reread those sections. Add a marginal note in your book explaining why that event matters to the overall plot. This will help you remember the detail for future assessments.
Secondary Character Analysis
Don’t overlook the role of secondary characters in driving these notable events. Note one action a secondary character takes that impacts Pip’s trajectory. Use this detail in a discussion or essay to show a nuanced understanding of the novel’s character dynamics.
Thematic Tracking
Use a separate notebook page to track the theme of social mobility across these chapters. Write one entry per chapter noting how Pip’s actions reinforce or challenge the theme. Bring this page to class to contribute to group discussions about thematic development.
What are the main notable events in Great Expectations Chapters 17-22?
The core notable events include Pip’s growing dissatisfaction with his rural life, his introduction to a London lawyer who offers a path to upper-class status, and the arrival of an unexpected houseguest that changes his understanding of his past. Use the key takeaways section for a full breakdown.
How do Chapters 17-22 set up Pip’s move to London?
These chapters establish Pip’s intense desire to leave his working-class roots and introduce a legal contact who provides a concrete path to relocate and pursue a life of wealth. Review the timeboxed 20-minute plan to solidify your understanding of this setup.
Why does SparkNotes highlight these specific events in Chapters 17-22?
These events drive the novel’s core themes of social mobility and guilt, and they lay critical groundwork for major plot turns later in the story. Use the howto block to map these events to their corresponding themes.
How can I use these events in an essay about Pip’s character?
Use the essay kit’s thesis templates to link a specific event to Pip’s evolving identity or moral struggles. For example, you can argue that Pip’s reaction to the unexpected visitor reveals his unresolved guilt over past actions. Draft a thesis statement using one of the provided templates to start.
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Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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