The Truth May Be Hidden In Reality, But Expressed In Fiction THESIS STATEMENT: Charles Dickens drew on personal experiences in Great Expectations. I. Childhood A. Both unloved by mothers 1. Dickens’ mother died 2. Pip’s mother died B. Working Young 1. Dickens’ started working at fifteen years old and became independent 2. Pip became an apprentice for Joe as a young teenager and became independent C. Caretakers drift away 1. Dickens’ father goes to prison 2. Pip’s Aunt Joe gets delirious and then dies D. Bad experiences with women 1. Dickens’ relationships do not last long 2. Pip’s love, Estella, does not like him and looks down on