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Charles Dickens' Changed Endings of His Novels: What Made These Changes Essential?

Learning Points:
  1. Why did Charles Dickens change the ending of Great Expectations?
  2. What did Charles Dickens change?
  3. What happened at the end of Charles Dickens Great Expectations?
  4. Do Charles Dickens books have happy endings?
  5. What did Dickens do to make a difference?
  6. What are the differences between the two endings of "Great Expectations"?
  7. How did Dickens change literature?
  8. What important things did Charles Dickens do?
  9. What are some of the reasons why Dickens novels are special?

We are all aware of Charles Dickens (1812–1870), who is regarded by many as the best and greatest English novelist of the 19th century. Dickens, a moralist, satirist, and social reformer, created intricate stories with memorable characters that accurately depicted English society as a whole. He also pioneered the practice of first publishing novels in monthly magazines as serial installments. The Tatler or Spectator essays were early examples, but Dickens also tried it in his novel writing.  As a result, Dickens was able to reach a wider audience, including those who could only pay for their reading in installments. Other authors in Britain and the US quickly adopted this format of publication. These monthly publications had to make compromises regarding plot structures and endnotes because their output was time-limited. As a result, the author had to make some changes or corrections when the story was published as a book.

"Great Expectations" is the most obvious example. After "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens was initially published, the ending was changed. In the original ending, Pip and Estella part ways without a definitive resolution after a chance encounter in London takes place years after their previous meeting. The revised ending, however, has Pip and Estella reuniting, and this time it is a more conclusive encounter, with Estella demonstrating a willingness to love and be loved and Pip accepting that they can still have a future together, even if it is uncertain.

Dickens made this change in response to feedback from close friends and fellow writers, who felt that the original ending was too bleak and unsatisfying. In "Great Expectations," the change from Pip and Estella parting ways without any clear resolution to them meeting again and having a more conclusive encounter added a more hopeful and satisfying element to the story. This change emphasized the idea that personal growth and redemption are possible, and that the characters' past mistakes and misfortunes do not have to define their futures. The revised ending was published in the novel's final installment, and is now the ending that is most commonly associated with "Great Expectations."


Now the question is did Charles Dickens change the endings of any of his books other than "Great Expectations"?


In fact , Charles Dickens did change the endings of some of his other books as well. One example is his novel "David Copperfield." In the original ending of the novel, David Copperfield ends up marrying Agnes Wickfield, his childhood friend and love interest. However, Dickens later changed the ending to have David marry Dora Spenlow, a character who dies earlier in the novel, but who David had been deeply in love with.


Another example is Dickens' novel "Little Dorrit." In the original ending of the novel, Arthur Clennam and Amy Dorrit get married and live happily ever after. However, Dickens changed the ending to have Arthur and Amy part ways without getting married, but with the suggestion that they may reunite in the future.


It's worth noting that in both of these cases, the changes to the endings were made before the novels were published in their final form. In the case of "David Copperfield," the original ending was published in serialized form, but Dickens revised it before the novel was released in book form. Similarly, the original ending of "Little Dorrit" was published in serialized form, but Dickens changed it before the final book was released.

 

If the changes to the endings of Charles Dickens' novels were essential because Dickens had the obligation of serial publications,  they also improved the overall impact and satisfaction of the stories.


In the case of "David Copperfield," the change from David marrying Agnes to David marrying Dora added a tragic element to the story, as Dora's death was a significant emotional moment for David. This change also helped to reinforce the theme of the novel, which is about the growth and development of the main character.


In "Little Dorrit," the change from Arthur and Amy getting married to them parting ways without getting married added a bittersweet element to the story. This change emphasized the idea that happiness and fulfillment are not always attainable, but that life can still hold meaning and purpose even in the face of disappointment.


These changes to the endings of Dickens' novels helped to enhance the themes and messages of the stories, and provided readers with a more meaningful and satisfying conclusion. The changes were in fact the artistic need than the popular public demands.


Ardhendu De

Reference

1. Dunn, A. A. (1978). THE ALTERED

ENDINGS OF “GREAT EXPECTATIONS”:

A NOTE ON BIBLIOGRAPHY AND

FIRST-PERSON NARRATION.

Dickens Studies Newsletter, 9(2),

40–42.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/45290602

2. KENNEDY, G. W. (1974). DICKENS’S ENDINGS. Studies in the Novel, 6(3), 280–287. http://www.jstor.org/stable/29531666

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