Pause you who read this

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorn or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." (Dickens 95)

This quote represents two things; a specific style of writing popular in the Victorian era, and foreshadowing. In the Victorian era, linear and simple narration was popular, with strong narrating characters, using first person perspective. To enhance this style of writing, authors often inserted narration interruptions by the narrators, to remind that it was a story being told. This interruption from Pip does just that. It also is an example of foreshadowing, something Dickens uses an great deal of. This quote refers to his future situation as a chain, which implies something binding him negatively. He is referring to the first day he went to Miss Havisham's, meeting Estella. This quote suggests that big changes are in store, and this day began them.