As Marcel completed the novel over the weekend , we analyzed the two endings Dickens authored. I explained how Dickens' good friends, who read the original less hopeful ending, felt Dickens' audience expected a happier ending and would be deeply disappointed by the proposed ending. As such, Dickens original ending was not discovered until 10 years after his death. We discussed how the hopeful ending is emotionally satisfying but untrue to the literary form, the bildungsroman. Marcel offered good comments discussing how both endings were similar in some ways in that Estella appears to be a changed and better person but both suffered from over reliance on coincidence or a chance meeting between Estella and Pip after Pip has been away for 11 years. I further addressed Marcel's questions on the plot by discussing the final fate of Orlick, Pumblechook, Herbert, and Pip, first as a clerk ,and then as Herbert's partner in an insurance firm . Marcel then took notes on the novel's overall theme, how the theme fits into the genre ,and how sub themes such as guilt and forgiveness support the maior thesis of the novel. During the last half hour of class, I administered a quiz on chapters 50-53. The essay portion of the final test on the novel is Wednesday. Also for Weds- complete 30 minute SAT Practice test.