Done with Dickens

I just finished Great Expectations and it was magnificent. Charles Dickens is one of those people on my "Who would you have to dinner?" lists (most definitely!) He had such a quirky sense of humor and word usage that makes you read so closely. I found if I was too tired I had to re-read to make sure I got the whole picture.

Things I keep thinking about:

• Why do you think he ends it with Pip and Estella meeting and the statement by Pip that they would forever be holding hands? I felt sorry for Estella, but wonder if she ever really could love anyone? I want Pip to be happy, just not sure that's the way...
• Joe- He is such an amazingly sweet guy. I think I cried a little when Pip was sick and he was nursing him back to health. He was so much smarter than Pip gave him credit for (like most kids to their parents.)
  
• How we don't choose who we love
• And mainly- How a little kindness (Pip with the convict) goes a long way and can change a person forever. If Pip hadn't had Joe's example of kindness growing up would he have been the person that he was?