I set up my mind to select it for the reason that I have read a brief introduction of thismasterpiece in my high school English textbook before. In addition， a Tale of Two Citieswhich is also written by Charles Dickens， the outstanding and special English writer， left mea wonderful and deep impression， when I finished reading the marvelous story.

　　Of course， Great Expectations didn’t let me down， either. What’s more， the whole structureof the novel is well and elaborately designed. The plot is extremely attractive and full ofunexpected twists. Quite a few characters have a distinguishable personality. Moreover， thosewords and sentences are so beautiful and meaningful that I even took them down carefully inmy notebook. By reading them no less than three times， I have learned not only some newphrases and sentences， but also a philosophy of life.

　　Among the characters， which impressed me most are not Pip and Estella who should be regardedas the leading roles， but Joe and Magwitch. I feel awfully sorry that I was not brave enoughto read the original edition that is as thick as a brick. Otherwise， I may appreciate Joe andMagwitch more.

　　Yes， they are not the main characters in the novel. However， what they saidand what they did deeply touched me. It’s interesting， isn’t it? They are quite theopposite guys. One is a totally good man without the least bit of wickedness while the otheris a prisoner who is believed to have mitted every evil.

　　I believe that everyone who reads the book is to like Joe. When he talked about his heavydrinking father who hit him a lot， he said he had a lot of love. Faced with his rude wife， hewould rather seem a bit weak or foolish than stand up to her and fight for himself. Knowingpeacockish Pip was ashamed of his uneducated manners， he left sadly and quietly. The worldrushes on over the strings of the lingering heart making the music of sadness. But when hewas informed of Pip’s illness， he immediately came to take good care of Pip.

　　He is alwayscontributing everything and requiring nothing. Such a man is Joe， kind， tolerant andselfless. "Nothing is so mild and gentle as courage， nothing so cruel and pitiless ascowardice，" says a wise author.

　　However， why do I appreciate Magwitch， the bad guy? You may wonder. Indeed， Magwitch did alot of evil things when he was young. But how can you be unmoved when you get to know thatthe old man kept himself going just by thinking of the boy who once did him a small favor?

　　He lost his only daughter and Pip had no parents， so he considered himself as the boy’ssecond father， making up his mind to help his dear boy became a gentleman. He did every kindof job and led a hard life in Australia. At last he made a big fortune and promised himselfthat all the money would go to Pip.

　　He could have led a better life in Australia ，but Ihechose to go back to London .with the simple intention of seeing Pip， he went back at the riskof being hanged! “whatever the fault he had from the start， remember， reader， he had a goodheart.” Joe used these words to describe his father. But I think these words can betterdescribe Magwitch. He lived with the fear of death all his life. Who shuts love out， in turnshall be shut outfrom love. However，thankfully，because Pip finally realized his goodheart， his ending was peaceful.