Making Connections

Great Expectations and Despicable Me have many similarities, if you really think about it. Sure, Despicable Me is a newer story, but the characters Pip and Gru hit similar issues while going through their lives. Both of  these characters have the desire to be somebody they aren't on the inside. Pip wants to move to a higher social class and become a gentleman, and Gru wants to move higher in the"villains social class" and be the best villein in the world. Once Pip and Gru finally reach their goals, they don't feel as fulfilled as they thought they would. They feel as if they were happier when they were lower in the ranks.

Some motifs that tie through both stories are guilt and shame. After the two characters actually get what they want, they feel guilty and ashamed of themselves, about their attitudes to their loved ones. Pip is controlling and almost fake towards his family, and Gru doesn't go after his little girls when they are taken back to the orphanage. As seen in both of these stories, there is always a way to turn your  bad feelings, into good ones.