Great Expectations

故事发生在1812年。贫苦的乡下孤儿匹普父母双亡，与姐姐、姐夫生活在一起。在一个阴冷、潮湿、雾气弥漫的冬日，他到墓地悼念父母。在那个萧索荒寂的地方偶遇逃犯马格韦契，他从家中偷了馅饼和锉刀解救了危难之中的逃犯。后来，匹普受邀到富有却性情怪僻的郝薇香小姐家做客，结识了郝薇香的养女――傲慢刻薄的艾丝黛拉，并一发不可收拾地爱上了她。几年后，突然有个不愿意透露姓名的神秘人物提出资助匹普到伦敦去过上层社会的生活。从此，匹普的人生追求和命运都发生了根本的转变，他真的能找到他所期望的幸福，拥有“远大前程”吗？

本期节选《远大前程》第一卷第19章，是故事男主人公匹普“麻雀变凤凰”的选段。一看书名，我们可能都会认为主人公匹普具有远大的前程，但殊不知这“变成上等人”梦想只是虚幻的泡沫而已。本选段是匹普生活的重大转折点――他和他的姐夫乔刚从一位伦敦来的律师贾格斯处得知，有一位匿名人物要资助匹普到伦敦去接受礼仪交际教育，让他成为一个绅士，过上层社会的生活。匹普满心欢喜，认为自己终于可以逃离乡下生活，离开粗鲁而没有接受过教育的乡民。于是他换上光鲜亮丽的外衣，与大家告别，踏上了走向伦敦之路。

1. be ashamed to do sth.: （因自己所做之事而感到）羞愧的，内疚的。

2. convict: 囚犯。

3. trade: 行当，手艺。

4. It’s a pity that ...: ……真遗憾，……真可惜。

5. manner: 礼仪。

6. mix with: （尤其是指与不熟悉的

人）交往，相处。

7. drink sb’s health: 〈英〉为某人的健康喝一杯。

The next morning after breakfast, we burned my apprenticeship papers―I was free. Volume ⅠChapter 19 After church, and an early dinner, I went for a walk.

I was ashamed to think that I’d once helped a convict here―but that was a long time ago, and he would have been taken far away. He was dead to me.

I lay down and fell asleep, thinking about Miss Havisham and Estella.

When I awoke, there was Joe! I’m glad you did. You know, I’d always wanted to be a gentleman. I thought I’d follow you.Really? It’s a pity that you didn’t get on better in your studies here with me, Joe. Well, I don’t know―I’m so awfullydull―all I know is my own trade.

Later, I asked Biddy for a favour.

Biddy, please help Joe to better himself―in his learning and manners.

Oh! Won’t his manners do then?

Not if he was to mix with wealthier people…

He may not want to mix with wealthier people. I am very sorry to see this in you, Biddy.

You are jealous of my fortune.

If you think so!

I am very sorry to see it―forget I asked you to do anything for Joe.

I ask nothing of you.

I went into town early, to be measured for a fashionable suit of clothes by Mr. Trabb, the tailor.…and your sister, who brought you up by hand!

After that, I went to visit Pumblechook. My dear friend! Well deserved on your good fortune!

To think that I should have played my part in this!

Remember that you must say nothing about that.

We’ll drink her health. Ah! That’s the noble way―ever forgiving!

On Friday morning, I went to visit Miss Havisham. Sarah Pocket came to the gate. You? What do you want? To visit Miss Havisham before I go to London. She took me up, staring at me all the way. Well,Pip? I leave for London tomorrow, Miss Havisham, and I wanted to say goodbye.