Great Expectations Character Guide: Storyboard That

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

As students read, a storyboard can serve as a helpful character reference log. This log (also called a character map) allows students to recall relevant information about important characters. When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. With character mapping, students will record this information, helping them follow along and catch the subtleties which make reading more enjoyable!

Great Expectations Characters

Pip (Philip Pirrip)	The main protagonist, living in a small town outside of London. He grows up wanting to be a gentleman to impress the woman he loves, who is incapable of loving him in return.
Joe Gargery	A blacksmith, who is married to Pip's sister and caretaker. Joe is Pip's best friend.
Mrs. Joe	Pip’s sister who constantly reminds him how she raised him ‘by hand’. She is not a pretty woman, but she is honorable.
Miss Havisham	A wealthy woman who was left at the altar. She manipulates many of the characters in the novel.
Estella	Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter. It is later revealed that she is the daughter of Molly and Abel Magwitch.
Orlick	An apprentice to Joe who tries to kill Pip.
Herbert	Also known as the Pale Young Gentleman, Herbert becomes Pip’s best friend in London.
Abel Magwitch	The convict Pip encounters in the marshes. He is secretly Pip’s benefactor.
Compeyson	A swindler who framed Abel, and attempted to rob Miss Havisham.
Matthew Pocket	Miss Havisham’s nephew, and Pip’s tutor in London.

Sarah, Georgiana, & Camilla	Miss Havisham’s relatives.
Jaggers	An affluent attorney who oversees the estates of Pip and Miss Havisham.
Wemmick	Jagger's assistant, who aids Pip with moral advice.
Bentley Drummle	Adversary of Pip who eventually marries Estella.
Uncle Pumblechook	Joe’s wealthy uncle, a corn merchant, who introduces Pip to Miss Havisham and her daughter Estella.
Mr. Wopsle	A family friend and struggling actor. He is related to Biddy.
Biddy	A young girl who educated Pip early in his life, and eventually marries Joe.
Startop	Like Pip, he is studying in London to be a gentleman. Pip trusts and befriends him.
Clara	Herbert's girlfriend.
The Aged	Wemmick's elderly Father.
Molly	Jagger's maid, Estella's Mother, and Abel's ex-fiance.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a character map for the major characters.

Identify the major characters in Great Expectations and type their names into the different title boxes.
Choose a character from the "1600s to 1800s" tab to represent each of the literary characters.

Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.

Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
Fill in the text boxes for Appearance, Traits, and Character Change.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Character Map

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Map Template

Create a character map of the characters in the story. Put the character's name in the title boxes and choose a character and scene to represent each one. As you read, take notes on the characters by answering the questions.

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Picture & Scene	The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters.	Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters.	More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book.
Accuracy of Notes	Most of the information of the notes is correct.	Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing.	Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant.
Effort	Work is complete, thorough, and neat.	Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable.	Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Great Expectations Characters

Pip (Philip Pirrip)	The main protagonist, living in a small town outside of London. He grows up wanting to be a gentleman to impress the woman he loves, who is incapable of loving him in return.
Joe Gargery	A blacksmith, who is married to Pip's sister and caretaker. Joe is Pip's best friend.
Mrs. Joe	Pip’s sister who constantly reminds him how she raised him ‘by hand’. She is not a pretty woman, but she is honorable.
Miss Havisham	A wealthy woman who was left at the altar. She manipulates many of the characters in the novel.
Estella	Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter. It is later revealed that she is the daughter of Molly and Abel Magwitch.
Orlick	An apprentice to Joe who tries to kill Pip.
Herbert	Also known as the Pale Young Gentleman, Herbert becomes Pip’s best friend in London.
Abel Magwitch	The convict Pip encounters in the marshes. He is secretly Pip’s benefactor.
Compeyson	A swindler who framed Abel, and attempted to rob Miss Havisham.
Matthew Pocket	Miss Havisham’s nephew, and Pip’s tutor in London.

Sarah, Georgiana, & Camilla	Miss Havisham’s relatives.
Jaggers	An affluent attorney who oversees the estates of Pip and Miss Havisham.
Wemmick	Jagger's assistant, who aids Pip with moral advice.
Bentley Drummle	Adversary of Pip who eventually marries Estella.
Uncle Pumblechook	Joe’s wealthy uncle, a corn merchant, who introduces Pip to Miss Havisham and her daughter Estella.
Mr. Wopsle	A family friend and struggling actor. He is related to Biddy.
Biddy	A young girl who educated Pip early in his life, and eventually marries Joe.
Startop	Like Pip, he is studying in London to be a gentleman. Pip trusts and befriends him.
Clara	Herbert's girlfriend.
The Aged	Wemmick's elderly Father.
Molly	Jagger's maid, Estella's Mother, and Abel's ex-fiance.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a character map for the major characters.

Identify the major characters in Great Expectations and type their names into the different title boxes.
Choose a character from the "1600s to 1800s" tab to represent each of the literary characters.

Select colors and a pose appropriate to story and character traits.

Choose a scene or background that makes sense for the character.
Fill in the text boxes for Appearance, Traits, and Character Change.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 9-10

Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Character Map

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Character Map Template

	Proficient 33 Points	Emerging 25 Points	Beginning 17 Points
Character Picture & Scene	The characters and scenes are both appropriate for the book's characters.	Many of the characters and scenes match the book's characters.	More than half of the characters and scenes do not match the characters in the book.
Accuracy of Notes	Most of the information of the notes is correct.	Many of the notes have correct information, but some are incorrect or missing.	Less than half of the information of the notes is correct and relevant.
Effort	Work is complete, thorough, and neat.	Most of the sections of the character map were at least attempted and work is presentable.	Character map is unfinished and/or disorganized.

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How To Analyze Character Motives and Traits

Give Definitions and Illustrations

To assist students in understanding the ideas, define important terminology like "motivation" and "trait," and give examples from well-known stories or from everyday life. While reading the story, ask the students to apply these already learned concepts to different characters throughout.

Determine Motives

Talk about the reasons behind the characters' choices. Encourage your students to inquire as to why the character made the decision that they did. What motivates their actions? How do their intentions affect the plot? Students can create a list of motives for different characters and update the list as the story progresses.

Analyze Interactions and Movements

Examine the conversation and behavior of the characters. Encourage students to pay close attention to the things that characters say and do since they frequently reveal the motivations behind them. Ask the students to pay more attention to conversations and interactions including figurative language.

Examine Character Traits

Examine the characteristics that make each character unique. Ask your pupils to create a list of adjectives that best characterize the personalities, attitudes, actions, and social interactions of the characters.

Look for Contradictions

Assist pupils in spotting occasions where a character's actions or attributes appear to be at odds with one another. Describe how the character's inconsistencies add to his or her depth.

Promote Class Discussion

Discuss character motivations and qualities with the class. Encouraging critical thinking and civil discourse, helps students to express their opinions, thoughts, and insights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pip's Social Circles in Great Expectations

What are the two major social groups that Pip interacts with throughout the book?

Pip alternates between two major social circles: the upper-class metropolitan life of London and the lower-class rural world of the marshes, where he was raised. These social groups are also one of the main themes of the story and motivate Pip to achieve his great expectations.

How does Pip's attitude toward his old friends change during the narrative?

As the plot develops, Pip learns the worth of his old friends and the truthfulness of people like Joe and Biddy. He understands that a person's value cannot just be determined by their social standing. This analysis explains that Pip’s character was only motivated to achieve his goals and he disregarded everyone’s feelings in the process but after some realization, he felt guilty about his attitude.

Which characters turned out to be Pip’s benefactors in the story?

Pip has two important sponsors: Magwitch, a prisoner he helped when he was young, and later, he thinks Miss Havisham is his sponsor since she gives him "great expectations."