Abstract：

Great Expectations, as one of the most important works in the late phase of Dickens’s creation, differs much from his early novels. It’s a tragicomedy, involving many tragic elements in the comedy. This essay mainly studies the theory of the predestination in this novel. This essay, firstly, introduces Charles Dickens and his work Great Expectations. Then it begins its introduction by comparing featured predestination in this novel with traditional predestination. Secondly, this paper illustrates the comparisons of the plot. Predestination in plot mainly refers to the characters' life development. By writing the contrast of Pip whose great expectations disillusioned and Joe who was satisfied with life, the paper sees their endings and analyzes their reasons for this kind of predestination. Finally, it concludes that destiny is not innate. We can change our fate through our efforts; maybe the result is not as we expected, but as long as we struggle, we will make it. Therefore, God is not the only master of our fate. Everything is in our own hands.

Key words: Great Expectations; Charles Dickens; predestination

摘要：

《远大前程》作为狄更斯创作后期一部非常重要的作品，与他之前的作品有很大的不同，呈现出一种悲喜剧的特点，喜剧之中混合着很厚的悲剧色彩。本文研究小说中的宿命论思想。首先介绍查尔斯·狄更斯和他的作品《远大前程》，然后介绍宿命论这一主题的含义，传统的宿命论与狄更斯的宿命论的定义的区别与联系;其次阐述情节中宿命论的对比，情节中的宿命论主要指的是人物命运发展的安排，通过写有远大抱负幻灭的匹普与对生活自足的乔之间的对比，看二者之间宿命论的结局，然后分析他们这种宿命观形成的原因;最后得出结论：宿命并非天生注定的，我们可以通过自身的努力，改变自己的命运，也许结果并非如自己所期待的那样，但只要努力奋斗过就好。因而，上帝并非是我们命运的唯一主宰，一切都掌握在自己的手中。

关键词： 《远大前程》；查尔斯·狄更斯；宿命论

Introduction
Charles Dickens is well-known for his humorous style which caters for the popular taste quite appropriately. He has different writing styles in different periods. Especially his early novels are soaked with humorous elements and help to establish him a great fame. In his early period, the works are of gentle social criticism, fantastic optimism. In his middle period, the works are of vigorously criticizing on bourgeois and his morality, gentle moralism, humor and satire. At the same time, The plot and structure are more complete and unified. In his later period, the works are of social criticism, strong humanitarian, and exploration of man's inner conflicts.
 His literary style is also a mixture of fantasy and realism. Dickens was once a newspaper reporter so his descriptions show a wonderful eye for detail. Dickens loved words, and liked to produce a “pretty piece of writing” in different styles. He included lots of powerful adjectives, and is famous for his use of metaphors and similes. His descriptions often present people, their surroundings, and even the weather, in ways which reinforce each other, so that certain 'feel' is built up through the passage. From the early 1850s, Dickens gave public readings of his novels.