Connections

The major theme that I keep noticing in Great expectations is how Pip isn't as appreciative as he should be towards his family. He's constantly searching for more money, power, and so called "love" when he should be seeing how wonderful his relationship with Joe is. Every bird must learn to fly, but that doesn't mean that Pip should at all disregard Joe. If I was in control of Pip's life choices, he would go back to become Joe's apprentice. I admire the whole "follow you dreams" theme that was at the beginning of the novel, but it's clearly not working for Pip and his life is much more dull. Even though at the beginning he had a mean sister and his dreams weren't fulfilled, he was living the dream. And if he were to go back to the forge now it would be even better since Biddy is there due to Mrs. Joe's condition. Anyway, its obvious that Pip is unappreciative of his nice life at his home. There are numerous references I could make with the same overall theme but Stones of Mourning Creek, one of my favorite books, seems to fit pretty well.
The main plot in Stones of Mourning Creek by Diane Des Bequets is about racial discrimination, and how Francie (a Caucasian girl) and Ruthie (an African American) become best friends, and there is a lot of conflict over the matter. Now Francie doesn't like he dad very much, but the relationship between Ruthie's brother and parents seems to fit best. Ruthie's parents are very influential members of the community, black and white. They accept everyone and are all for integration and right for everyone, but they know how it is. The father is the reverend at the church, and is very welcoming and supportive to everyone. While the mother knows all the people in the town and reaches out to anyone who passes by offering them a meal or just someone to talk to. They have quite a few children, but the only kid's you ever really get to know and Ruthie and her brother. Now you think with these great parents Ruthie's brother must be a good kid. And he seems like he is, but he has a dark side. He works for one of the meanest men in town and it was very influential for him. He beats kids up, kills helpless kittens, and hangs out with the wrong crowd. Like Pip, he doesn't realize the wonderful family he has.
Pip has more than just Joe and Mrs. Joe. He has Biddy, and Herbert, and Jaggers, plus many others who care for him and have become close with him, but maybe feels like he is alone because he doesn't have any biological parents. Ruthie's brother has so many welcoming arms, but also feels like he doesn't belong in a more than half racist community. There are forces, whether external or internal, working against these two boys and it's hurting them emotionally. Instead of expressing their feelings they run, and make unfavorable choices.
These two examples illustrate the trait in all of us where we make rash decisions and actions when we don't understand what's going on sometimes. Whether it is socially, mentally, and physically we all sort of find way to avoid or live with the issues at hand.