Great Expectations: What's Inside

Great
Expectations
Study Guide by Course Hero
ABOUT THE TITLE

What's Inside The title Great Expectations refers to the social expectations
of Pip as well as the expectations of other characters, such as
Miss Havisham and Magwitch.
j Book Basics ................................................................................................. 1
d In Context ..................................................................................................... 1
a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 2 d In Context

h Characters .................................................................................................. 3
k Plot Summary ............................................................................................. 6 The Victorian Age

c Chapter Summaries .............................................................................. 13 Charles Dickens lived most of his life during the Victorian
period. This era lasted during the reign of Queen Victoria, from
g Quotes ........................................................................................................ 45
1837 to 1901. In this era Great Britain became the dominant
l Symbols ...................................................................................................... 47 power in the world, building a large colonial empire and
achieving economic prosperity through industrialization.
m Themes ....................................................................................................... 47
e Suggested Reading ............................................................................. 49

Industrialization
The Industrial Age, which began in Great Britain in the mid- to
j Book Basics late 1700s, was marked by a shift from hand tools to
mechanized tools, such as the power loom and the steam
engine. In turn technology such as the steam engine
AUTHOR
revolutionized transportation first in the form of steamboats
Charles Dickens
and later in the form of railroads. Some of Pip's adventures in
Great Expectations involve steamboats chugging through
YEARS PUBLISHED
London in the 1820s. Such mechanized tools fueled the growth
1860–61
of industry, including trade and finance, that became
GENRE concentrated in large cities such as London.
Drama
As the novel ends in the winter of 1840 with Pip's return to
PERSPECTIVE AND NARRATOR England, the setting is markedly different from that of his pre-
Great Expectations is told in first person by Pip, the Victorian boyhood. The country is industrialized, and political
protagonist. and social reform is taking place in the forms of extended
suffrage rights (Reform Bill, 1832) and the recent crowning of
TENSE Queen Victoria in 1837 that would begin her nearly 64-year
Great Expectations is told in the past tense. reign.
Great Expectations Study Guide Author Biography 2
class, consisting mostly of factory laborers, formed.

Morality
Britain still had an upper class. However, the nobility felt
Victorian society developed a strict morality, which was used threatened by the growing dominance of the middle class.
to enhance political and social stability. This morality consisted Furthermore some people in the middle class, such as
of repressing sexual urges, except for those expressed within successful merchants, were able to obtain great wealth and
the socially acceptable confines of marriage. In fact some move into the upper class. Indeed social mobility was a
Victorian scholars claimed that sexual desires lead to the urge trademark of the Victorian period. Middle-class people often
for political revolutions. Therefore many Victorians believed shared rags-to-riches stories with one another about poor
that repressing their sexuality also helped maintain control and people who worked hard and thereby were able to improve
order in society. their stations in life. In fact many Victorian authors wrote what
are now referred to as education novels, which depict a
Concerning this Victorian attitude toward sexuality, Great talented young lad moving up the social hierarchy from humble
Expectations shows both positive and negative aspects. rural origins to the wealthy middle class or upper class and
Dickens generally supports marriage, as can be seen through learning about life along the way. Great Expectations can be
Wemmick's marriage to Miss Skiffins. However, in contrast, seen as an example of this type of novel.
Miss Havisham places such an importance on having an
idealized marriage that she becomes an embittered recluse
a Author Biography
when the marriage falls through.
Also Victorian morality promoted a strict work ethic. During this

age Great Britain shifted from an agrarian to an industrial Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, into a lower-
economy. Industrialization soared as factories sprang up middle-class family living in Portsmouth, England. Charles's
throughout the country. The Victorian work ethic was father, John Dickens, earned a decent income working as a
promoted to fuel this industrial engine. Navy Pay Office clerk. However, John squandered much of his
earnings on extravagant living and accrued large debts, landing
In fact the idea that a person can improve his or her life
him in 1824 in Marshalsea, a debtors' prison. As a result, the
through the Victorian ethic of hard work permeates the novel.
Dickens family suffered through constant financial instability.
Indeed the novel's title refers to Pip's expectations to move
from a skilled worker to an upper-class gentleman. Pip views Because of his family's financial straits, the 12-year-old Dickens
himself critically because he attempts to obtain social was forced to find work in a boot-blacking factory (before child
advancement without working. In contrast, Joe Gargery, labor laws came into effect). When he turned 15, Dickens
Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket are admired because they are pursued work as a clerk in a legal office. Soon after, he
steady workers who use their income to support families. became a newspaper reporter who covered legislative actions
and debates in Parliament. This experience sharpened
Dickens's skill as a writer, especially in regard to writing
Population and Class believable dialogue. Dickens also acquired a dislike for the law
and the government.
As industry developed, the population of Great Britain changed
Dickens followed his success in magazine publications by
dramatically. With improved health facilities, the population
writing novels. Despite uneven critical response throughout the
soared from 14 million in 1830 to nearly 35.5 million in 1900.
1840s and 1850s, Dickens continued to be widely read during
Also the structure of the population changed. The size of the
this period, establishing himself as a literary giant throughout
middle class increased dramatically, as more people were able
much of the world, though his own critics continued to offer
to get better-paying jobs as clerks and merchants. In addition
only tepid reviews, especially of those books that offered dark
education improved, allowing more people to earn college
depictions of contemporary British society. Nevertheless
degrees and move into professions such as lawyers and
Dickens began to give public readings of his works, and he
doctors. Because of this the middle class gained more
became a champion of social reform.
influence in the government. Also a large working or lower
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Great Expectations Study Guide Characters 3
In the late 1850s Dickens became the editor of a journal called the most praise. But starting in the mid- to late 1900s, critics
All the Year Round. To boost sales he began to publish the focused more on his later work, such as Great Expectations,
chapters of a new novel called Great Expectations in 1860. which had tighter plots and more insightful social criticism. In
Because this work was being published in a weekly journal, fact many critics claim that Great Expectations contains some
Dickens had to make the story more succinct than his longer of Dickens's most accomplished writing because it is less
novels. Some critics claim that this constraint helped Dickens sentimental and more focused than many of Dickens's other
make Great Expectations more focused than many of his other works.
works. Either way the novel was a critical success and won him
back readers and critics who had been put off by the "darker" By the time Dickens wrote Great Expectations, he had already
books. written 12 novels. Because of this output, Dickens was keenly

aware of the danger of repeating himself. The author wanted
Great Expectations was published in book form in three to make sure Great Expectations established new ground. The
volumes by Chapman and Hall in October 1861. It reflects many structure of the novel poised an immediate challenge. With its
of the major influences on Dickens's life. Dickens knew people first-person narrator and coming-of-age story, Great
from various social classes in Victorian society. Great Expectations shows a strong surface similarity to David
Expectations shows the full gamut of this society, from the Copperfield. Keenly aware of the similarities, Dickens wrote to
wealthy Miss Havisham to the destitute prisoner Magwitch. his friend John Forster, "To be quite sure I had fallen into no
unconscious repetitions, I read David Copperfield again the
In addition Great Expectations reveals Dickens's interest in other day." Dickens had to make the protagonist, Pip, different
social conditions. In previous works such as Oliver Twist enough from David Copperfield. Many critics assert that
(1837–39), the author often focused on the horrible conditions Dickens succeeded in doing this to a remarkable degree.
of child labor. In Great Expectations, though, Dickens Although both Pip and David learn important lessons about life,
concentrated on the characteristics of working-class and the way in which each character responds to life's challenges
lower-middle-class people, such as a blacksmith, a legal clerk, is markedly different. Pip tends to be more seduced by the
and a grinder. glimmer of high society and, as a result, deals with more guilt
about his choices than David.
Also in Great Expectations Dickens shows his ambivalent
feelings for the law through his depiction of Mr. Jaggers—a Dickens wrote his final novel, Our Mutual Friend, from 1864 to
hardened man who deals with every person he meets as if he 1865. Soon after the publication of this work, his health began
is cross-examining him or her in court. Mr. Jaggers bases all to decline. In 1870 he began work on another novel, The
his interactions with people on cold, hard facts, leaving no Mystery of Edwin Drood, but he died of a stroke on June 9,
room for sentiment. 1870, before he could finish it.
Even though Dickens received high praise for Great

Expectations, for 70 years after his death this work and other
novels by him were largely ignored by critics. In the early 1900s h Characters
critics lauded "serious" novels by authors such as James Joyce
and Virginia Woolf. Many of these critics found Dickens's
novels to be shallow and carelessly constructed. However
despite the negative pronouncements, the tide of criticism
Pip
toward Dickens began to shift in the mid-1900s, when key
Pip is the protagonist of Great Expectations. As a boy he
critics such as George Orwell, Edmund Wilson, and Humphrey
seems unsure of his own self-worth and place in the world. His
House wrote studies praising Dickens's work.
parents are dead, and he has no idea what they looked like. Pip
By 1970 attitudes toward Dickens's work had made a complete is raised by his bad-tempered sister, Mrs. Joe, and her
shift. Critics began to admire how Dickens combined husband, a blacksmith named Joe Gargery. However, Mrs. Joe
entertaining storytelling with significant social criticism. During often beats Pip and tells him she wishes he was never born. As
Dickens's life his more popular novels, such as The Pickwick a result Pip has a sense of inferiority. Fortunately Joe befriends
Papers (1836–37) and David Copperfield (1849–50), received Pip and tries to protect him as much as possible. Because of

this, Pip forms a strong bond with the simple, kind Joe and
looks forward to being his apprentice. However, Miss Joe Gargery
Havisham triggers Pip's sense of inferiority. Under her
influence Pip comes to view being a blacksmith's apprentice as Joe Gargery is a blacksmith who befriends his wife's young
common. To attain validation as a person, Pip believes he must brother, Pip. Joe is a simple, kind man who accepts his life and
rise to the upper class and win over Estella, an opportunity wants nothing more. Joe values hard work, honesty, and
granted to him by a mysterious benefactor. friendship. He has respect and integrity. Joe changes only by
acting awkwardly toward Pip after the young man becomes a
gentleman.
Estella
Estella is the adopted daughter of the recluse, Miss Havisham,
and—as readers discover at the end of the story—the
biological daughter of Molly and Magwitch. She is groomed by
Miss Havisham to become an instrument of the recluse's
vengeance. Under Miss Havisham's influence, Estella
suppresses her natural desire for love and to express love. As
a result her own heart has grown cold.
Miss Havisham
Miss Havisham comes from a wealthy family that gained a
fortune through a brewery. As a young woman Miss Havisham
develops into a proud and headstrong person. She becomes
engaged to a man even though relatives warn her against it.
When the man jilts Miss Havisham on her wedding day, he
deeply wounds her. Miss Havisham becomes a recluse for
whom time stopped on her wedding day.
Magwitch
Abel Magwitch is an escaped convict who tells young Pip to
get food and a file for him. At first Magwitch appears to be a
terrifying, hardened criminal who for some reason hates
another convict named Compeyson. An early indication that
more lies beneath Magwitch comes when he takes
responsibility for stealing food even though Pip stole it. Later
Pip learns about Magwitch's hard life growing up in poverty
without parents and then his life as a transported convict in
Australia.

Character Map
Executor of estate
Estella
Beautiful, haughty young lady
Daughter Protégé
Magwitch Miss Havisham

Loves
Convict Recluse
Benefactor
Servant
Pip
Blacksmith’s apprentice; Legal adviser
becomes a gentleman
Sister
Guardian
Mrs. Joe Friends

Mr. Jaggers
Cruel London lawyer
First wife
Joe Gargery
Kindhearted blacksmith
Main Character
Other Major Character
Minor Character

Great Expectations Study Guide Plot Summary 6
Full Character List Miss Skiffins

Miss Skiffins is the fiancée and
eventual wife of Mr. Wemmick.
Character Description Molly is Mr. Jaggers's house servant

Molly
and the wife of Magwitch.
Pip is raised by his sister and her
blacksmith husband, becomes a Mr. Jaggers is Pip's guardian and
gentleman through the support of a Mr. Jaggers
Pip the lawyer of Miss Havisham.
mysterious benefactor, and is
tortured by the desire to marry
Estella. Mrs. Camilla is a relative of Miss
Mrs. Camilla Havisham, who feigns affection for
the recluse to inherit her money.
Estella is Miss Havisham's adopted
daughter who has been groomed to
Estella Mrs. Joe is Pip's older sister and
break men's hearts but tries to
spare Pip. Mrs. Joe Joe's wife who often beats young
Pip.
Miss Havisham is a wealthy woman

who remains secluded in her Mother of Herbert Pocket, Mrs.
Miss Havisham decaying house, brooding about her Mrs. Pocket Pocket dreams of living in upper-
broken heart and seeking class society.
vengeance on men.
Mr. Wopsle is a church clerk and a
Abel Magwitch is a convict who Mr. Wopsle friend of Mrs. Joe's who goes to
Magwitch London and becomes an actor.
becomes the benefactor of Pip.
Joe Gargery is a blacksmith who is a A relative of Miss Havisham, Sarah

Joe Gargery Sarah Pocket Pocket pretends to love the recluse
close friend of Pip.
to inherit her money.
The Aged P. is the elderly, deaf

Aged P. Startop is a fellow student of Pip's
father of Mr. Wemmick.
Startop who helps Pip try to get Magwitch
out of the country.
Bentley Drummle is a snobbish,
Bentley Drummle brutish gentleman who comes from
a rich family and marries Estella. An assistant to the tailor Mr. Trabb,
Trabb's boy Trabb's boy makes fun of Pip about
his new social status.
Biddy is an orphan who becomes
Biddy
Pip's friend and marries Joe.
Uncle Pumblechook is Pip's uncle
Uncle
who tries to take credit for Pip
Compeyson is Magwitch's Pumblechook
becoming a gentleman.
Compeyson archenemy who tracks Magwitch in
England.
Wemmick is Jaggers's clerk who
Wemmick
befriends Pip.
Dolge Orlick is Joe's assistant who
Dolge Orlick
envies Pip's preferential treatment.
Herbert Pocket
Herbert Pocket is a young
gentleman who becomes good
k Plot Summary
friends with Pip.
Great Expectations takes place in Kent and London, England,
Matthew Pocket, father of Herbert from about 1812 to 1840. As a seven-year-old child, Pip, the
Matthew Pocket
Pocket, tutors Pip. protagonist, looks over the graves of his parents in a cemetery

on the marshes (identified by scholars as the Cooling Marshes, Pip heads to London and stays with a young man named
located in Kent, England). There he accidentally meets an Herbert Pocket, who turns out to be the "pale young
escaped convict, who terrifies Pip and orders the boy to bring gentleman" Pip boxed with. Herbert explains how Miss
him food and a file. Pip lives with his older sister, Mrs. Joe, and Havisham was jilted by her lover on her wedding day and since
her husband, Joe, a blacksmith. Mrs. Joe often beats Pip, but then has remained a recluse. Pip is tutored by Matthew Pocket,
Joe has befriended the boy. Pip steals food and a file from Herbert's father. Also Pip has two fellow students: Startop and
home and takes them to the convict. Bentley Drummle, a snobbish young man from a wealthy family.
Pip becomes friends with Jaggers's clerk, Wemmick.
The following day Pip and Joe tag along with soldiers
searching for two escaped convicts. They find Magwitch Joe visits Pip in London. By this time Pip acts and lives like a
fighting another convict (Compeyson). To protect Pip, gentleman. Because of these airs, he is uncomfortable about
Magwitch tells the soldiers he stole food from a nearby the crude-mannered Joe visiting him. Joe tells Pip that Miss
blacksmith's shop. Havisham wants him to visit her. When Pip visits Satis House,
he sees Estella, who is now a beautiful lady. Returning to
A wealthy woman named Miss Havisham sends an invitation for London, Pip feels more in love with Estella than ever and
Pip to visit her. Pip finds Miss Havisham to be a decrepit- believes Miss Havisham intends Estella to be his wife. In
looking recluse wearing a faded wedding dress. Pip plays addition Pip's lavish lifestyle has led to an accumulation of
cards with Estella, the recluse's adopted daughter. Estella debt.
views Pip as a common laboring boy and insults him.
Mrs. Joe dies, and Pip briefly returns to the marshes to attend
Pip then begins to visit Miss Havisham on a regular basis, and the funeral at Joe's house. On Pip's 21st birthday, Mr. Jaggers
Estella is instructed to play with Pip, often insulting him. Miss tells Pip he will now receive the funds his anonymous
Havisham whispers to Estella that she can break Pip's heart. benefactor promised. In London Pip attends parties with
Pip quickly becomes infatuated with Estella and comes to view Estella and continues to love her. However, Pip is tortured by
himself as inferior. One evening at a tavern, Pip meets a Estella's coldness toward him.
mysterious one-eyed man who has the file Pip gave to the
convict. This man gives Pip two one-pound notes. At Satis Two years later Magwitch visits Pip at his residence. Magwitch
House after playing with Estella, Pip meets a "pale young tells a shocked Pipthat he is Pip's benefactor. Magwitch relates
gentleman" and defeats him in a brief boxing match. Soon Pip's how he became rich in Australia and vowed to give his earnings
visits to Satis House make him ashamed of his home life. After to Pip to make him into a gentleman in gratitude for the boy's
Pip becomes an apprentice, he becomes ashamed of his work help. However, because Magwitch returned to England he
as well. One day Miss Havisham tells Pip that his services are could be arrested as a convict by the authorities even though
no longer required. he earned his freedom in Australia.
Infected by Miss Havisham's influence, Pip develops a strong Realizing this, Pip and Herbert decide to keep Magwitch
desire to become a "gentleman." Upon his next visit to Satis hidden. Feeling he owes Magwitch a great debt but also
House, Pip learns Estella has gone away to France to be ashamed of his link to a criminal, Pip plans to leave the country
educated as a lady. Attacked by an unidentified assailant with him. Magwitch explains how he came under the influence
(Orlick, Joe's journeyman), Mrs. Joe becomes an invalid. A of a criminal named Compeyson, who deceived Magwitch.
young woman named Biddy comes to nurse Mrs. Joe.
While visiting Miss Havisham and Estella, Pip realizes that
After several years a visiting lawyer named Mr. Jaggers tells Estella plans to marry Drummle. Deeply hurt, Pip tells Miss
Joe and Pip that an anonymous benefactor wants to pay for Havisham that Estella has succeeded in breaking his heart.
Pip to be educated as a gentleman. When Pip comes of age, he
will be given considerable funds. Until that time Jaggers will be Pip, Herbert, and Wemmick make plans to get Magwitch out of
Pip's guardian. Amazed, Pip assumes Miss Havisham is his the country. Also Pip learns that Estella married Drummle and
benefactress. She encourages Pip to have this view but admits that her natural father is Magwitch. Pip visits Miss Havisham,
nothing. who asks Pip to forgive her. After this plea Miss Havisham's
dress catches fire, and Pip puts out the flames. Miss Havisham

remains alive but weak. Orklick uses a note to lure Pip back to
the marshes. There Orlick tries to kill Pip but fails.
Pip and Magwitch attempt to flee the country in a boat but are
intercepted by a boat containing authorities and Compeyson.
Magwitch and Compeyson struggle and fall into the river.
Compeyson drowns; Magwitch survives but is severely injured.
Because Magwitch has no official heirs, his fortune does not
go to Pip but instead to the government. Magwitch is found
guilty. The injured Magwitch stays in an infirmary, where he
waits to be executed. There Pip tells Magwitch that his
daughter is alive and that Pip loves her. Grateful to hear this
news, Magwitch dies.
Pip falls seriously ill and is nursed back to health by Joe, who
tells Pip that Miss Havisham has died. Soon Pip visits Joe at his
home and realizes that he has come on the day Joe and Biddy
are getting married. Pip has a renewed appreciation of his old
friend, Joe.
After working for 11 years, Pip returns to visit Joe and Biddy,
who have a boy named Pip. According to the revised ending,
Pip visits the remains of Satis House, where he finds Estella.
Before dying in an accident, Drummle had abused Estella. Pip
and Estella show signs of staying together. According to the
original ending, Pip and Joe's son walk through London, where
they accidentally meet Estella. Drummle is dead, and Estella
has remarried a kind doctor. Estella kisses Joe's son and show
signs of a loving heart. Pip and Estella then part.

Plot Diagram
Climax
11
10
12
9
Falling Action
Rising Action 8
13
7
6 14
5
15
4
Resolution
3
2
1
Introduction
9. Pip learns Estella is Magwitch's daughter.

Introduction
10. Miss Havisham asks forgiveness, and her dress catches
fire.
1. Pip meets Magwitch, a convict.
Climax
Rising Action
11. Pip fails to get Magwitch out of the country.
2. Pip meets Miss Havisham and falls in love with Estella.
3. Pip wants Miss Havisham's and Estella's social approval.
4. Pip takes unnamed benefactor's offer to raise Pip's station. Falling Action
5. Pip assumes Miss Havisham is benefactor. 12. Pip tells Magwitch his daughter is alive and Pip loves her.
6. Pip becomes snobbish and treats Joe Gargery badly. 13. Pip falls ill and is nursed back to health by Joe.
7. Pip learns that Magwitch is his benefactor. 14. Pip reestablishes his friendship with Joe.
8. Pip learns Estella is to marry Drummle.

Resolution
15. Pip meets Estella and plans to stay with her.

Timeline of Events
December 1812
Pip accidentally meets an escaped convict who orders

Pip to get him food and a file.
Next day
Pip sees soldiers catch the convict; he claims he stole

food from a blacksmith.
Several years later
Pip meets Miss Havisham and falls in love with Estella,

even though she treats him cruelly.
Four years later
Jaggers, a lawyer, tells Pip an anonymous benefactor

wants to make Pip a gentleman.
A week later
In London Pip befriends Herbert Pocket, who aids Pip's

education as a gentleman.
Several days later
Pip meets the brutish Drummle, who becomes Pip's rival

for Estella.
Several years later
Pip meets Estella in London and continues to love her,

even though she does not return this love.
Two years later
The convict, Magwitch, tells Pip he is Pip's benefactor.
Days later
Pip confronts Miss Havisham for implying she is his

benefactor. Estella will marry Drummle.
Weeks later
Miss Havisham asks Pip to forgive her, and her dress

catches fire. Pip puts out the flames.
A few months later
Pip fails to get Magwitch out of the country. Magwitch is

arrested.
Eleven years later
Pip meets Estella, who has developed a loving heart, and

plans to stay with her.

Great Expectations Study Guide Chapter Summaries 13
goes to bed, terrified about the young companion coming to

c Chapter Summaries tear out his heart and liver and about being sent to prison for
stealing food. As dawn breaks Pip sneaks to the pantry and
takes food, including a pork pie and a bottle of brandy. He then
Chapters 1–2 removes a file from the blacksmith shop and heads into the
marshes.
Summary Analysis
In Chapters 1 and 2 Dickens immediately begins to develop the
Chapter 1 theme of uncertainty and deceit. In the opening paragraphs of
Chapter 1, Pip reveals that he has no idea what his parents
A boy named Philip Pirrip, nicknamed Pip, gazes at the graves looked like. Because of his uncertainty, he imagines how they
of his parents in a church cemetery situated on a stark marsh look based on the lettering on their tombstones. So early on
near the sea. As Pip ponders the graves, a scary-looking man Pip has uncertainty about his own identity and self-worth. Later
appears in the cemetery. He threatens Pip, telling him to keep the man on the marsh warns that his younger companion will
quiet or "I'll cut your throat." The man wears a large iron on his tear out Pip's liver and heart if the boy fails to bring food to the
leg. Petrified, Pip pleads for his life. The man asks the boy what man. This warning terrifies Pip and fills him with uncertainty
his name is and where he lives, and Pip tells him. When the man about the young companion. Pip imagines that such a terrible
asks about Pip's mother, Pip explains that his parents are dead person might attack Pip before he gets a chance to steal the
and buried in the graveyard, and he lives with his sister and her food. Again uncertainty fuels Pip's imagination.
husband. The man orders Pip to get him a file and food. If Pip
fails in this task, the man says his younger companion will find Also Dickens soon connects uncertainty with deceit. Because
Pip during the night and tear out his heart and liver. Scared out Pip is not sure he'll find food to steal, he hides a piece of bread
of his wits, Pip swears to comply. in his trousers, thereby deceiving both Joe and Mrs. Joe.
Because Pip thinks the young companion might kill him, he
decides to steal food, another act of deceit.
Chapter 2
Deceit ties in directly with the theme of guilt. Even though Pip
Pip arrives home, where he sees Joe Gargery warming himself plans to steal food to protect himself, he feels guilty about this
by the fire. Pip describes Joe as a gentle, physically strong, act and about hiding bread in his pants. Dickens states, "The
dimwitted soul. Joe and Pip have formed a close bond that guilty knowledge that I was going to rob Mrs. Joe ... united to
helps them endure the rages, scolding, and beatings of Joe's the necessity of always keeping one hand on my bread-and-
wife, called Mrs. Joe. Mrs. Joe is Pip's sister. butter ... almost drove me out of my mind." Therefore the fear
caused by uncertainty combined with the guilt caused by
Soon Mrs. Joe bursts into the house, strikes Pip with a stick, deceit tortures Pip.
and throws the boy at Joe. Furious, Mrs. Joe asks where Pip
has been, and the boy replies that he was at the churchyard. In Chapters 1 and 2 Dickens introduces the theme of social
She complains about having to take care of Pip and then class and ambition by introducing one member of the lower
prepares tea. Concerned about not being able to find food for class and three members of the working class. The man on the
the man on the marshes, Pip puts his piece of bread down his marsh represents the lower class, a desperate, half-starving
trousers. person who is an outcast of society. Pip, Joe, and Mrs. Joe are
members of the working class. Joe works as a blacksmith and
Because it is Christmas Eve, Pip stirs the pudding for the next earns enough money to provide a decent home with a warm
day. Then he hears guns firing in the distance and asks why. fire and plenty of food. As opposed to the man on the marsh,
Mrs. Joe grudgingly explains the firing warns that a prisoner Pip lives in physically comfortable surroundings. His sister and
has escaped and comes from prison ships called Hulks. Pip brother-in-law are most likely respected members of their

community. The day-to-day hardships that Pip faces are

caused by the attitude of a person, namely his sister, not by
Analysis
physical want.
In Chapters 3 and 4 Dickens continues to intertwine the
themes of deceit and guilt. When Pip heads through the misty
marshes, his deceitful act of stealing the food causes him to
Chapters 3–4 feel so guilty he imagines the animals accusing him of being a
thief. The next morning Pip continues to feel guilt and, as a
result, expects "to find a Constable in the kitchen, waiting to
Summary take me up." During the Christmas dinner Pip fears his deceitful
act will be found out. Also Pumblechook's discourse on how
Pip is selfish like a swine adds to his sense of guilt. Pip relates
Chapter 3 that "everybody had looked at me (as I felt painfully conscious)
with indignation and abhorrence." So in addition to feeling
Pip carries his handkerchief bundle filled with food and a file guilty about stealing food, Pip also feels guilt and shame for
into the marsh. Pip comes upon a man whom he assumes is who he is as a person. Indeed Mrs. Joe states that "she had
the same man he met yesterday. However, when the man turns wished me [Pip] in my grave." Therefore Pip senses that most
toward Pip the boy realizes he is a different man who also of the adults he knows, except for Joe, wish that he never
wears a leg iron. This man, who has a bruised left cheek, existed. Considering this, opening the novel with Pip pondering
stumbles away into the mist. Pip assumes this is the young the graves of his dead parents seems quite appropriate. Pip
companion he was warned about. himself must, at least subconsciously, feel that he has no right
to live.
At the Battery Pip finds the man he met the previous day,
"limping to and fro" in the same spot. Pip gives the man the Dickens develops the theme of class ambition by contrasting
food and brandy. The man thanks Pip and devours the food. the meal eaten by the man on the marsh with the Christmas
Pip expresses concern that the man won't leave any food for dinner. The lower-class man on the marsh ravenously eats his
his young companion, and the man at first dismisses it. But meal like a starving dog. In contrast the Christmas dinner
when Pip says he saw the young companion, the man becomes shows working-class Joe and Mrs. Joe and middle-class Uncle
surprised and threatens to track him down. Pip slips away as Pumblechook, Mr. Wopsle, and Mr. and Mrs. Hubble enjoying a
the convict begins to use the file on his leg iron. delicious meal of several courses. The only exception is Pip.
The man on the marsh experiences the harshness of physical
deprivation. Pip experiences harshness from some members of
Chapter 4 the middle class who have selfish and superior attitudes. Mrs.
Joe is mainly concerned about ingratiating herself with
Soon guests arrive on Christmas Day at Pip's house, including
Pumblechook because she wants to advance into the middle
Mr. Wopsle, Uncle Pumblechook, and Mr. and Mrs. Hubble. Mr.
class. For his part Pumblechook senses his superior social
Wopsle is a church clerk who considers himself a gifted orator.
position over Joe and Mrs. Joe and, as a result, acts with
Uncle Pumblechook is a pompous middle-aged man. During the
benevolent condescension toward them.
dinner Pumblechook makes Pip the focal point of a lesson on
how boys are similar to swine because they are selfish and Also Dickens makes connections between Pip and the man on
ungrateful. Pip fears that the missing food will be discovered the marsh. The narrator states, "I couldn't warm my feet, to
during the course of the dinner. His fear soars when Mrs. Joe which the damp cold seemed riveted, as the iron was riveted to
tells her guests she will serve as a final course a "savory pork the leg of the man I was running to meet." At the end of
pie." Terrified, Pip jumps up from the table and runs to the Chapter 4, Pip fears he will be accused of a crime and flees,
door, only to collide with a party of soldiers. only to run into soldiers with handcuffs. In his anxiety Pip might
think the soldiers have come to arrest him, but instead they
come for the man on the marsh.

theft. Mrs. Joe drags Pip to bed.

Chapters 5–6
Analysis
Summary
In Chapter 5 the theme of uncertainty and deceit takes center
stage. Early in the chapter Pip is uncertain whether the soldiers
Chapter 5 have come to arrest him. Later Pip is uncertain why the two
convicts are fighting. Pip's convict exclaims that he's not going
The sergeant in charge of the soldiers asks Joe if he could to let the other convict make a fool of him again. But exactly
repair handcuffs and then explains they are tracking down two how the other convict made a fool of Pip's convict is not
escaped convicts. Pip feels relief that they have not come for explained.
him. Joe begins to work on the handcuffs at his forge, assisted
by some soldiers. Also uncertainty makes Pip afraid that his deceitful act of
stealing will come to light. He is not sure if his convict will tattle
After Joe finishes repairing the handcuffs, he proposes to his on him. Because of this Pip tries to convey to his convict that
Christmas guests that they should go along on the hunt for the he isn't an informer but is uncertain whether the convict
convicts. Mr. Wopsle agrees, but the other guests decline. Joe, understands. Unexpectedly, Pip's convict claims he stole the
Pip, and Mr. Wopsle follow the soldiers into the marsh. Pip items, thereby letting Pip off the hook.
worries that his convict will identify him if they should meet.
The soldiers hurry through the marsh with Mr. Wopsle and Joe, In Chapter 6 Dickens focuses on the theme of guilt. Pip feels
carrying Pip on his back running after them. Moving toward the guilty about not telling Joe about stealing the food and file.
Battery, the soldiers come upon two convicts fighting in the However, Pip does not feel this guilt out of a conviction that
mud. The soldiers separate them, and Pip recognizes his theft is wrong but instead because he loves Joe. (Pip does not
convict. The other is the man with the bruised left cheek. Pip's feel the need to tell Mrs. Joe about the theft because he does
convict expresses satisfaction that he prevented the other not love her.) In contrast, because Pip loves Joe, he believes he
convict from escaping. The other convict accuses Pip's convict should be honest with the blacksmith. This love, though,
of trying to murder him. prevents Pip from telling the truth. If he confesses, the
blacksmith might never be able to trust Pip again. The fear of
Pip's convict looks at Pip for a moment. Pip lightly shakes his forever being seen in a suspicious light by the person he loves
head, trying to convey that he isn't an informer. However, Pip is prevents Pip from being honest.
not sure if his convict understands. The soldiers take the two
prisoners to a hut by the sea, followed by Joe, Pip, and Mr. Dickens develops the theme of social class in both Chapters 5
Wopsle. In the hut Pip's convict tells the sergeant that he stole and 6. The working-class sergeant, Joe, and Mrs. Joe and the
food, including a pork pie, from a blacksmith in a nearby village. middle-class Christmas guests view the capture of the
Joe admits that his wife noticed the pie was missing just as the convicts as a game. The lower-class convicts are objectified as
soldiers arrived. The soldiers place the two convicts in a boat, prey to be hunted down and, therefore, are seen as a form of
which is then rowed out to a prison hulk. entertainment. Pip states, "They had not enjoyed themselves a
quarter so much, before the entertainment was brightened
with the excitement he [Pip's convict] furnished." The chase to
Chapter 6 capture the convicts could be seen as a type of fox hunt.
Pip feels he should tell Joe about his theft. However, Pip fears Pip and, to a certain extent, Joe are the only characters who
that if he comes clean Joe will always view him with suspicion do not see the convicts as entertainment. Throughout Chapter
and distrust. As a result Pip decides not to reveal the truth. 5 Pip views the convicts in a sympathetic light. When the
Exhausted, Pip dozes in the kitchen. When he wakes up, he soldiers and civilians talk excitedly about chasing the convicts,
overhears Joe describing the capture of the convict and Pip imagines the afternoon turns pale because of the plight of
Pumblechook theorizing on how the convict committed the the poor convicts. Also, during the chase Pip whispers to Joe

that he wishes the convicts are not caught. After the capture
Chapter 8
the interchange between Pip's convict and Joe breaks through
the entertainment dynamic. The convict apologizes to Joe for Uncle Pumblechook brings Pip to Miss Havisham's house, a
stealing food and eating the pie. Joe says, "We ... wouldn't have dreary structure that has a "great many iron bars to it." The
you starved to death ..., poor miserable fellow-creature." Good- house also has an abandoned brewery attached. A proud,
hearted Joe no longer sees the convict as a diversion. Instead young lady comes to the gate and allows Pip to enter. But
Joe relates to the convict as a fellow human being, regardless when Pumblechook expresses a desire to enter, she rebuffs
of social status. him. The girl, who is about the same age as Pip, escorts the
boy into the house and tells him the building is called Satis. The
girl leads Pip to the second floor and leaves him in front of a
Chapters 7–8 door. Pip knocks, a voice says to enter, and he does so.
Pip finds himself in a dressing room lighted entirely by candles.
Summary No sunlight enters the room. He makes out a strange-looking

woman seated by a dressing table. She is dressed in a
wedding gown that has turned yellow with age. The woman
appears as if she has not finished dressing because she has
Chapter 7
one shoe on and the other one off. Furthermore Miss
Pip becomes Joe's "odd-boy," or one who does odd jobs. The Havisham looks like a combination of a waxwork and a
money Pip earns goes into Mrs. Joe's cash box and, therefore, skeleton with dark, sunken eyes. Miss Havisham beckons Pip
is not spent by Pip. Pip attends a school, where he receives an to come. When he stands before her, he sees that her watch
inferior education. An orphan named Biddy assists Mr. and a clock in the room have both stopped at 20 minutes to 9.
Wopsle's great aunt by running a shop connected with the

Miss Havisham places her hand over her heart and tells Pip it is
school. Biddy also helps Pip with his reading, writing, and
broken. Then she commands Pip to play for her amusement.
arithmetic.
Dumbstruck by the weird surroundings Pip says he is unable to
One night while Pip and Joe sit by the fire at home, Pip writes a play. Miss Havisham orders Estella to play with Pip, but the
letter to Joe and shows it to him. Although Pip's writing has idea revolts the girl, who says he is but a "common laboring-
many mistakes, Joe is very impressed by the letter and calls boy." However, Miss Havisham convinces Estella with the
Pip a "scholar." Pip asks Joe why he never went to school. Joe enticement that she can break his heart. They play cards, with
explains that his father wouldn't allow it. Joe also explains that Estella spewing insults about Pip's manners and appearance.
he married Pip's sister because he was lonely as a single man. Miss Havisham asks Pip what he thinks of Estella. Pip admits
Despite Mrs. Joe's harsh ways, Joe calls her a "fine figure of a that she is proud and pretty but says she is insulting also and
woman." When Joe relates how he wanted to raise baby Pip in that he would like to go home.
his home with Mrs. Joe, Pip is touched and hugs Joe. Joe
After finishing their game, Estella takes Pip out to the yard and
agrees to be schooled by Pip but insists that it be kept a
leaves to get him food. When she is gone, Pip cries about being
secret.
insulted and feeling inferior. He then looks around the place
Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook arrive. Mrs. Joe relates the and enters the brewery. There he sees what appears to be a
surprising news that a woman named Miss Havisham wants Pip woman hanging from the neck by a rope attached to a beam.
to come to her house and play. No reason is given. Miss The woman wears a faded wedding dress, has one shoe on
Havisham is an "immensely rich and grim old lady who lived in a and the other off, and gives the impression of trying to call Pip.
large and dismal house ... and who led a life of seclusion." Both Horrified, Pip runs haphazardly and glances back at the
Pip and Joe are dumbstruck by the news. phantom, but it's gone. He leaves the brewery and eats some
food provided by Estella. Before he leaves, Estella wonders
why Pip doesn't cry some more and laughs contemptuously at
him. On his way to Pumblechook's, Pip feels ashamed about
being a "common laboring-boy."

vision of a woman hanging by a rope from a beam. At Satis

Analysis House Pip has entered an ambiguous, frightening world that
will change his life. Miss Havisham suggests that deception is
In Chapters 7 and 8 Dickens further develops the theme of
involved in this uncertain world when she whispers to Estella
social class and adds the concept of ambition to the social-
that she can break Pip's heart. Miss Havisham apparently has
class theme. First of all Dickens depicts Pip's life as an "odd-
an agenda she is not sharing with Pip.
boy" or assistant to the blacksmith Joe. Mrs. Joe considers the
position to be an excellent one, especially for ungrateful Pip. Dickens also introduces the symbol of tears in Chapters 7 and
During the Victorian Age many people would most likely agree 8. In Chapter 7 Pip cries tears of gratefulness and affection
with Mrs. Joe about the benefits of this skilled, working-class when Joe says he always wanted to raise Pip in his home.
job. It provides a steady income, even though most of it in Pip's These tears act as a bond that unites friends. In contrast, in the
case goes into a cash box. Also, in his position, Pip receives a next chapter Pip cries tears of shame, hurt, and anger. These
basic education. tears come from a sense of being separate in an inferior way
from Estella.
In addition Dickens satirizes the middle-class position of
shopkeeper. According to the narrator's description, In Chapter 8 Dickens presents another symbol, namely Satis
shopkeepers including the saddler, coachmaker, baker, grocer, House. As Estella explains, satis means "enough." For Estella
and seed merchant (Uncle Pumblechook) seem like idle the name implies "whoever had this house, could want nothing
businessmen who spend most of their time observing other else." However, Pip discovers that the house represents much
shops. The only shopkeeper who seems busy is the more. It is a house frozen in time by the pride and
watchmaker. stubbornness of its owner. Satis House, therefore, represents
a lack of change and growth, which could be seen as a form of
Dickens introduces the upper class through the strange Miss
death. Satis House also reflects what Miss Havisham values in
Havisham and her adopted daughter, Estella. The author
life. The author depicts her as a proud person, who sees
shows that the main trait of these characters is a sense of
herself as being superior to those in lower social positions.
superiority. Estella constantly looks down on Pip as a common
Because of this, Estella under Miss Havisham's influence
boy, which delights Miss Havisham. This woman appears to be
insults Pip for being a common boy. Indeed this pride of Miss
a selfish, proud person who magnifies her own heartache to
Havisham in her status is so intense that she clings to it when
such an extreme that it dominates not only her life but also the
jilted by her lover and blocks out any meaningful relationships.
lives of the people she comes in contact with. Because Miss
The result can be seen in Satis House: a barren, decaying
Havisham views her own personal pain as so important and
structure with no life or joy.
grievous, she tries to make time stop when her heart broke. All
the clocks are frozen at 20 minutes to 9, and her dress and her
room haven't changed since the day of her aborted wedding
many years ago.
Chapters 9–10
Through the poisonous influence of Miss Havisham, Estella has
become a proud snob who insults Pip. By doing this Estella Summary
makes Pip feel inferior and thereby plants the seeds for his
ambition. Indeed, when Pip cries from his shame he states,
"The smart without a name, that needed counteraction." This Chapter 9
counteraction eventually takes the form of ambition to rise in
social status. After Pip returns home from Miss Havisham's, Mrs. Joe and
Pumblechook grill the boy about his experience at Satis House.
In addition to exploring the effects of social class and ambition,
Thinking that they would not believe the truth, Pip spins a
Dickens returns to the theme of uncertainty and deceit in
fantastic lie about his time with Miss Havisham. Although
Chapter 8. Pip feels uncertain about why Miss Havisham wants
amazed, Pumblechook says he has heard that Miss Havisham
him to visit and by the weird situation at her house. This sense
is eccentric, so he and Mrs. Joe come to accept Pip's story as
of uncertainty and fear reaches an apex when Pip sees the

fact. who tries to hide who he really is from Joe and Mr. Wopsle
while providing a tantalizing hint to Pip—the file the stranger
Mrs. Joe tells Pip's story to Joe, which mortifies the boy. He uses to stir his drink. Pip identifies the file as the one he stole
feels bad about telling a lie to a person he cares about. When and so connects the stranger to the convict on the marshes.
Pip and Joe are alone in the forge, Pip tells his friend the whole However, this connection makes Pip even more uncertain. He
story was a lie. Joe is upset that his good friend would tell a wonders why a person who knows this convict is in a tavern
falsehood, and Pip feels guilty. Then Pip relates how miserable acting secretively and why he gives Pip a shilling wrapped in
and common he feels. two one-pound notes.
In Chapters 9 and 10 Dickens also develops the theme of

Chapter 10 social class and ambition. Pip admits feeling that Joe and Mrs.
Joe are "common" in comparison to Estella and Miss
Pip decides to improve himself in an attempt to become Havisham. Pip states, "How common Estella would consider
"uncommon" in Estella's eyes. To accomplish this goal, he asks Joe, a mere blacksmith." Before Pip went to Satis House, he
Biddy to teach him. She willingly agrees and begins to tutor Pip. was content being an apprentice to a blacksmith and felt no
inferiority about this position or about Joe and Mrs. Joe. For
One evening Pip goes to the local tavern to bring Joe home. In
Pip the sense of inferiority comes solely from the contrast
the tavern Pip joins Joe, Mr. Wopsle, and an unusual, secretive
between his family and Miss Havisham and Estella. Because of
stranger near the kitchen fire. The stranger learns what Joe's
this, Pip becomes ambitious to move from the working class to
last name is and then buys rum for Joe, Mr. Wopsle, and
the upper class. In contrast Joe views being uncommon as
himself. The stranger also seems intent on finding out Pip's
having nothing to do with social class but instead with the
relation to Joe, which is explained. When the drinks are served,
integrity of a person. For Joe lying is common and so cannot
the stranger uses a file to stir his rum in a way only Pip can see.
be used to make a person uncommon. Joe says, "If you can't
To his shock Pip realizes the file is the same one he stole from
get to be oncommon through going straight, you'll never get to
Joe. As Joe and Pip are about to leave, the stranger gives Pip a
do it through going crooked. So don't tell no more on 'em, Pip,
shilling wrapped in paper. When Joe and Pip arrive home, Mrs.
and live well and die happy." However, even though Pip agrees
Joe discovers that the paper used to wrap the shilling is really
with Joe, he cannot get rid of the need to appear uncommon in
two one-pound notes.
the eyes of upper-class Miss Havisham and Estella. As a result
he asks Biddy to tutor him in an attempt to improve himself and
Analysis become less common according to the standards of the upper

class.
In both Chapters 9 and 10 Dickens develops the theme of

Dickens introduces the symbol of money when the stranger
uncertainty and deceit. When Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook grill
gives Pip a shilling and two one-pound notes. Throughout the
Pip about Miss Havisham, the boy is uncertain how to respond.
novel money represents something of importance that often
Pip feels the truth is too unbelievable. Added to this, Pip
leads to disappointment. In this case the stranger giving money
becomes angry at Pumblechook's attempts to get him to
to Pip is obviously significant, but the meaning of this action is
reveal details about Miss Havisham. Therefore uncertainty
not yet known.
mixed with anger spurs Pip to spin an elaborate lie about riding
coaches with Miss Havisham and Estelle. He feels no guilt
about this lie because he does not love Mrs. Joe or
Pumblechook. However, once again Pip feels the keenest guilt
Chapters 11–12
about telling the lie to Joe because he loves the blacksmith.
Thus for Pip the desire to tell the truth comes from the tangible
love of a person, not from a moral principle. Summary
During the scene at the tavern, Pip comes into contact with a
different kind of uncertainty and deceit. He meets a person

often spends time with Miss Havisham and Pip. The girl treats
Chapter 11
Pip inconsistently, sometimes being condescending and other
Pip visits Satis House, and Estella escorts him to a room where times familiar. Miss Havisham often asks Pip if Estella is getting
three women (Mrs. Camilla, Sarah Pocket, and Georgiana) and prettier; Pip admits that she is.
a man (Mr. Camilla) are seated. All the visitors strike Pip as
Pip doesn't tell Joe about his strange experiences at Satis
phonies. As Estella leads Pip to Miss Havisham's room, she
House for fear the blacksmith will think Pip is lying again.
asks him if he still finds her insulting. When Pip replies she isn't
However, Pip tells Biddy everything. She listens with "deep
as insulting as before, Estella slaps Pip angrily. On the stairs
concern." Meanwhile Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook often
Pip meets a burly man who warns the boy to behave himself.
ruminate about Pip's prospects based on Miss Havisham's
Estella leaves Pip in the dressing room with Miss Havisham,
attentions. Joe remains silent during these talks. One day at
who tells Pip to go across the hall. Pip does so and finds
Satis House, Miss Havisham tells Pip to bring his master, Joe
himself in a large, dark room that has been boarded. Pip sees a
Gargery, to her.
long table covered by a tablecloth with a centerpiece on it
"overhung with cobwebs."
Miss Havisham enters and tells Pip she will be laid on the table Analysis
when she is dead. Then Miss Havisham points at the
Social class and ambition is the major theme developed in
centerpiece and says it's her wedding cake. Miss Havisham
Chapters 11 and 12. In these chapters Dickens introduces a
has the boy lead her around the room. Estella arrives with the
series of characters who see more value in social standing
four visitors. Miss Havisham acts rudely toward them as she
than in true friendship. These characters include relations of
continues to have Pip lead her around the room. Mrs. Camilla
Miss Havisham—Mr. and Mrs. Camilla, Miss Sarah Pocket, and
talks about a person named Matthew Pocket and how
Georgiana. They want to ingratiate themselves to Miss
shameful it is that he doesn't visit Miss Havisham. Losing her
Havisham for financial gain, not because they love her. For her
patience, Miss Havisham exclaims that all the visitors and
part Miss Havisham detests these relatives, calling them
Matthew will be in this room to view her dead body and "feast
parasites who will "feast upon me" when she is dead.
upon" her. She then orders the visitors to leave.
Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook also have ambitions for financial

In the dressing room Pip and Estella play cards for Miss
gain from Miss Havisham, which they hope will improve their
Havisham's diversion. Miss Havisham directs Pip to notice
social status. Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook constantly discuss
Estella's beauty. Estella then leads Pip to the garden and
how Miss Havisham might improve Pip's prospects, much to
leaves him. Soon Pip meets a "pale young gentleman" who for
the boy's annoyance. Dickens, therefore, shows that many
some unexplained reason wants to fight Pip. The gentleman
members of the working and middle classes have ambitions for
provides a provocation by butting his head into Pip's stomach.
upward mobility. Joe and Biddy can be seen as exceptions to
Annoyed, Pip agrees to fight. Pip punches the gentleman,
the rule.
knocking him down, but the young man pops right up to fight
some more. This happens again and again until the gentleman
Also through his use of language, Dickens satirizes people who
gives up. They part cordially. As Estella takes Pip to the gate,
stress financial gain and upward mobility as being more
her face is flushed. She says Pip can kiss her. He kisses her
important than friendship and love. For instance, the author
cheek, and Estella lets him out.
refers to Camilla's face as a "dead wall." Dickens describes
Miss Sarah Pocket as a "little dry brown corrugated old
woman." The author refers to Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook's
Chapter 12
discussions about improving Pip's prospects as "nonsensical
speculations."
Pip summarizes his experiences with Miss Havisham and
Estella over the next 8 or 10 ten months. Miss Havisham often
Chapter 12 also focuses on the theme of uncertainty and
has Pip push her in a wheelchair while she questions him. She
deceit. Pip's visits to Miss Havisham confuse him and therefore
wonders what Pip is learning and what he plans to be. She
make him susceptible to her influence. Miss Havisham
never pays money to Pip but always feeds him dinner. Estella

influences Pip for reasons that are hidden. Pip mentions that apprentice to Joe. When he gets back to his bedroom, Pip is
Miss Havisham "seemed to prefer my being ignorant." Pip convinced he will not like Joe's trade.
overhears Miss Havisham telling Estella to break his heart. But
these hints about Miss Havisham's true motives have little
effect on Pip. He is dazed by his experience with Miss Chapter 14
Havisham and Estella, all the time becoming more infatuated
by the girl's allure. Pip reveals the shame he feels about his home because Miss
Havisham and Estella would view it as inferior. This sense of
In Chapter 11 Dickens returns to two symbols: Satis House and shame about something he once appreciated makes Pip
tears. The symbol of Satis House as representing a lack of miserable. Even though Pip once looked forward to being Joe's
change and therefore death is strongly reinforced. In the large apprentice, he now feels ashamed about this work. When Pip
room Pip sees a place that has not changed for many years. views his life stretching before him as an apprentice, he feels
Dust and mold cover everything. Miss Havisham tells Pip she that a "curtain dropped so heavy and blank." Pip believes that
will be laid on the table when she is dead. Therefore Satis he works hard as an apprentice and does not run away
House can be seen as a type of mausoleum. When Estella because of Joe's virtuous example. However, he dreads the
slaps Pip, he says he won't cry about her anymore but admits possibility of Estella coming to the forge and despising him
to himself that he is crying inside. These inner tears represent with his "black face and hands, doing the coarsest part of my
for Pip a sense of shame and inferiority as well as separation work."
from what he wants to obtain.
Analysis
Chapters 13–14
In Chapters 13 and 14 Dickens develops the theme of social
class and ambition by showing the effect of the upper class on
working-class people. One of these effects is discomfort. For
Summary example, working-class Joe feels so awkward answering the
questions of upper-class Miss Havisham that he doesn't even
dare to look at her or talk to her directly. Also Pip's experience
Chapter 13 with the upper class makes him ashamed of his home and
work, which is an uncomfortable feeling for him. Although he
Mrs. Joe, Joe, and Pip walk to Pumblechook's shop, where Mrs.
feels some guilt about his shame, Pip continues to see his life
Joe stays. Joe and Pip continue on to Satis House. Estella
as an apprentice as being a paltry thing and yearns for the
leads them to the dressing room. In this room Joe meets Miss
approval of Estella. The only reason he stays and works at the
Havisham, who sits at her dressing table. Joe is so
forge is because of Joe's good example. As the narrator says,
uncomfortable talking to the grand lady that he answers Miss
"It was not because I was faithful, but because Joe was faithful,
Havisham's questions by addressing Pip. Miss Havisham asks
that I never ran away and went for a soldier or a sailor." Pip,
Joe if Pip plans to be his apprentice and if Pip has any
though, continues to idolize Estella to such a degree that he is
objection to this trade. Joe says that the boy has agreed to be
ashamed when he imagines her seeing him at the forge.
his apprentice and has not expressed any objection to this. Pip
is mortified by Joe's awkward manner. Miss Havisham declares The upper class has a strong effect on members of the middle
that Pip has earned a premium by coming to her house to play class by making them ambitious. The desire to get money from
and pays Joe 25 guineas, or pounds. Also Miss Havisham tells Miss Havisham overwhelms Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook. When
Joe not to expect any more money from her. she learns that Miss Havisham has paid her 25 pounds, Mrs.
Joe becomes happier than at any other time in the novel.
Estella leads Pip and a stunned Joe out of Satis House. At
Although by nature a cheap person, she offers to buy dinner
Pumblechook's place, Joe tells Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook that
for her family and friends. Pumblechook's ambition assumes
Miss Havisham has given 25 pounds to Mrs. Joe. They all go to
the form of taking credit for Miss Havisham's paying the
the Justices in the Town Hall, where Pip is bound as an
money, even though he had nothing to do with it. Pumblechook

probably figures that if he is seen as having engineered Pip's Estella lets him in. In the dressing room Pip greets Miss
encounter with Miss Havisham he will receive some benefit as Havisham and thanks her. Miss Havisham tells Pip to visit her
well. For Pip's part his ambition is ambiguous: "What I wanted, on his birthday. She notices Pip looking around for Estella.
who can say? How can I say, when I never knew?" Pip just Pleased by this she tells the boy that Estella has gone abroad
wants something more than what he has working as a for her education and is prettier than ever. Then she dismisses
blacksmith's apprentice. Indeed Pip now feels ashamed of this him.
work.
Pip, Mr. Wopsle, and Orlick walk to the tavern, where they learn
The symbol of money makes an appearance in Chapter 13, at that someone has been attacked at Pip's house. Pip and Orlick
first representing the value of a person. Miss Havisham views run home, where they find a crowd gathered. Pip finds out that
Pip as a good boy and so pays 25 pounds to Joe. However, Mrs. Joe has been knocked down by a "tremendous blow on
through Mrs. Joe's and Pumblechook's attitudes toward the the back of the head."
money, the symbol changes from representing the value of a
person to representing what is valued most in life. Mrs. Joe
values improving her social standing and entering the middle Chapter 16
class. Therefore she becomes ecstatic when she receives 25
pounds because her prospects of reaching a higher social Pip reviews the scene of the assault on Mrs. Joe. During the
class have improved. Pumblechook pretends he has evening of the crime, Joe was at the tavern for two hours.
orchestrated Pip's payment all along. For him, the 25 pounds When he went home, he found Mrs. Joe "down on the floor."
enables him to display the importance of his social standing. Mrs. Joe was facing the fire when struck on the back of the
head and spine by a blunt object. Nothing was stolen from the
house. On the ground beside her Joe spots a convict's leg iron.
Chapters 15–16 The leg iron had been filed, which convinces Pip that it was the
same one worn by his convict.
Pip believes either Orlick or the strange man with the file
Summary committed the crime. However, Orlick has a strong alibi, having
been seen about town during the evening of the assault. The
strange man, though, seems to have no reason to attack Mrs.
Chapter 15 Joe. Pip feels bad about inadvertently providing the weapon of
the assault.
Pip leaves school after learning as much from Biddy as he can.
Pip tutors Joe, trying to make him more worthy in the eyes of As a result of the assault, Mrs. Joe has impaired memory,
Miss Havisham and Estella. However, Joe is unaware of Pip's hearing, and speech, so she has difficulty communicating what
secret motive. One day Pip asks if Joe thinks it would be all she wants. However, Pip points out that "her temper was
right for Pip to visit Miss Havisham. Joe reminds Pip that Miss greatly improved, and she was patient." After months of
Havisham said they should not expect any more from her. frustration at not being able to understand Mrs. Joe, Pip invites
However, when Pip claims he just wants to thank Miss Biddy to stay at the house. Biddy has a knack for
Havisham, Joe allows him to have a half-day holiday. understanding what Mrs. Joe is trying to communicate. Mrs.
Joe shows a desire to be on good terms with Orlick and
Joe has an assistant named Orlick, a morose character who routinely requests that the blacksmith assistant be brought to
dislikes Pip. Orlick claims that if Pip gets a half-day holiday he her.
should get one too. Joe reluctantly agrees. Overhearing this,
Mrs. Joe gets upset, calling Joe a fool for granting half-
holidays. Orlick calls Mrs. Joe a "foul shrew," which causes her Analysis
to fly into a rage. Joe defends his wife by fighting Orlick and
beating him soundly. Chapters 15 and 16 build on the theme of uncertainty. For
example, when Pip visits Miss Havisham, Miss Pocket is
Pip heads to Satis House, and Miss Sarah Pocket instead of

uncertain whether she should let Pip enter Satis House, and apprentice, Orlick fears that Pip will replace him. So Orlick
Pip is uncertain about where Estella is. When he learns that thinks Pip has a special superior status in the family. Orlick
Estella has gone abroad to be educated as a lady, Miss resents this and, as a result, is constantly jealous of Pip.
Havisham realizes that Pip has become uncertain about ever
winning her approval. So the recluse asks, "Do you feel that Dickens uses foreshadowing in Chapter 15 through the play
you have lost her?" This turn of events makes Pip even more about George Barnwell, which deals with an apprentice who
dissatisfied with his life and his work. Concerning the assault murders his master. Wopsle recites this play to Pip and
on Mrs. Joe, Pip is uncertain about who committed the crime, Pumblechook. Soon after this recitation Pip learns about Mrs.
how the leg iron became the weapon, and whether to tell Joe Joe being attacked. The play, thus, foreshadows the attack
the truth about how the leg iron became filed. while hinting that the assailant might be a person who works
for Joe and Mrs. Joe, namely Orlick.
Some of this uncertainty leads to deceit. When Miss Havisham
senses Pip's uncertainty about Estella's whereabouts, she
realizes the boy is still infatuated with the girl. As a result Miss Chapters 17–18
Havisham comes up with the idea of Pip visiting her on his
birthday, not out of friendliness but for her own deceitful
reason. She wants to keep tormenting him about Estella. Also
Summary
Pip's uncertainty about whether to tell Joe the truth about the
convict on the marshes and the filed leg iron convinces him to
take the safe route and keep the story a secret. In addition Pip
Chapter 17
fears that Joe will not let him visit Miss Havisham if he states
his real reason, namely to see Estella. So Pip keeps his true Pip visits Miss Havisham on his birthday. He finds the situation
motive a secret but accidentally reveals it through a slip of the at Satis House identical to his previous visits: Miss Pocket lets
tongue by saying, "Miss Est—Havisham." Pip in, Miss Havisham sits at her dressing table, and she tells
Pip the same information about Estella. Miss Havisham gives
Dickens uses Biddy as an anecdote to uncertainty. The author
Pip a guinea for coming and tells him to visit on his next
shows this character as an honest person who communicates
birthday. Pip continues to hate his trade and be ashamed of his
clearly and directly. When Mrs. Joe is assaulted, she becomes
home. However, Pip has come to appreciate Biddy's pleasant,
a mentally impaired person who cannot communicate clearly.
wholesome attitude and her ability to learn things without
As a result Pip and Joe are constantly uncertain about what
seeming to study anything.
she wants. However, when Biddy comes to work at Joe's
home, she shows the ability to decipher Mrs. Joe's signs. Pip and Biddy walk on the marsh, and Pip confesses he wants
Because of this, Biddy resolves any uncertainty about Mrs. to be a gentleman to gain the approval of Estella. Pip admits
Joe's wishes and adds stability to the household. that his infatuation with Estella is foolish, but he can't help
himself. Pip confesses to Biddy that he wishes he could fall in
Dickens conveys the theme of social class and ambition
love with her. If this happened Pip knows he would be free
through Pip's obsession to rise to the upper class to receive
from his torturous adoration of Estella. However, Biddy tells Pip
the approval of Miss Havisham and Estella. In fact he becomes
that he never will fall in love with her.
so obsessed by this idea that he tutors Joe for the purpose of
making him seem less common. After Pip visits Miss Havisham, On the way back home, Pip and Biddy meet Orlick, who wants
his ambition increases even more. He feels more dissatisfied to accompany them. Biddy admits to Pip that Orlick is
about being a common blacksmith's apprentice and looks in interested in her romantically. This idea offends Pip, who from
shop windows "thinking what I would buy if I were a then on keeps an eye on Orlick to make sure he doesn't
gentleman." impose himself on Biddy.
Also Dickens explores the theme of social class and ambition

through Orlick's jealousy. Orlick feels envious of Pip because
of his social standing in Joe's family. When Pip became an

himself from working class to an upper-class gentleman.

Chapter 18
However, Pip feels guilt about his ambition. He knows "it was
At the tavern Pip recognizes a man. Pip met this man on the much to be regretted, but still it was not to be helped." Also
stairs during his second visit to Miss Havisham's place. The Biddy's response to Pip's desire to become a gentleman
man informs Pip and Joe that he has some personal business causes the reader to question Pip's dream. Biddy replies, "Oh, I
to discuss with them. Amazed by this, Pip and Joe walk the wouldn't, if I was you!" Pip views Biddy's response as absurd,
man to Pip's house. In the parlor the man informs Pip and Joe but her quiet resistance undercuts Pip's ambitions. In addition
that he is Mr. Jaggers, a lawyer from London. Mr. Jaggers has Pip feels guilt about being eager to leave Joe and being so
come to relieve Joe of Pip's services as an apprentice. Mr. unthankful to him. Pip states, "Dissatisfied with my fortune, of
Jaggers asks Joe if he wants any compensation for this, and course I could not be; but it is possible that I may have been,
Joe says he doesn't. Mr. Jaggers then tells Pip "that he has without quite knowing it, dissatisfied with myself."
great expectations." Mr. Jaggers explains that an anonymous
The influence of social class and ambition can be seen on Pip
benefactor will make Pip a possessor of property when he
soon after he learns about his great expectation. He expresses
becomes an adult, and, until this time, the benefactor wants Pip
his discomfort to Joe about being gawked at in his new clothes
to be brought up as a gentleman. The benefactor has two
by the townsfolk. Such a situation, according to Pip, would be
conditions. First Pip shall always go by the name Pip. Second
"a coarse and common business." Pip's tone of voice then
Pip will accept the benefactor keeping his name secret until
starts to become more refined. For example, Pip says to Biddy,
the benefactor shall choose to reveal it. Stunned, Pip accepts
"you are so exceedingly quick." Such a phrase could have been
both terms.
said by Estella or Miss Havisham. So Pip immediately begins to
Mr. Jaggers tells Pip to view him as his guardian—a service Mr. assume the refined sensibilities of the upper class, which he
Jaggers provides only because he is paid for it. Also Pip will be learned at Satis House.
paid money for his education and live as a gentleman. Mr.
With Pip's change of fortune, Dickens adds uncertainty and
Jaggers sets Pip up with a tutor in London named Matthew
deceit to the mix of ambition and guilt. When Pip learns about
Pocket. Pip recognizes that name as one of Miss Havisham's
his mysterious benefactor, Pip realizes that his ambitions can
relatives. Pip, therefore, connects the mysterious benefactor
be accomplished. However, this realization is filled with
with Miss Havisham. Mr. Jaggers leaves Pip money to buy new
uncertainty and deceit. Pip has no idea who his benefactor is,
clothes. Pip says he will come to London soon, and Mr. Jaggers
although he assumes it is Miss Havisham. This assumption is
takes his leave.
reinforced when Pip learns that his tutor will be Matthew
In the kitchen Pip tells Biddy of his change in fortune. Both Pocket. Also apparently Mr. Jaggers is Miss Havisham's lawyer
Biddy and Joe congratulate Pip. Biddy tries to communicate because Pip met him at Satis House. This assumption about
the startling news to Mrs. Joe, but she just nods happily the benefactor's identify sets up Pip for Miss Havisham's
without understanding. Pip says that, when he buys his deception.
wardrobe, he doesn't want to display himself in his new clothes
It should be noted that Pip does not have ambition because he
for other villagers to admire, which would be "a coarse and
wants to become rich. Satis House could hardly fill Pip with the
common business." When Pip goes to his room, he sees it as "a
desire for wealth. The house is falling apart, decrepit, and
mean little room that I should soon be parted from and raised
weird, as is its owner. Indeed in comparison the neatness and
above, for ever."
comfort of Pip's modest home seems more desirable. Rather
Satis House, Miss Havisham, and Estella represent superiority
to Pip. Satis House and Miss Havisham never seem to change
Analysis but instead are a constant, seemingly eternal, enigmatic
presence that mystifies Pip. This mystification adds to their
In Chapters 17 and 18 Dickens interrelates the theme of social
allure as something superior. Pip states, "It [Satis House]
class and ambition with the theme of uncertainty and deceit
bewildered me, and under its influence I continued at heart to
and the theme of guilt. Pip confesses to Biddy that he has a
hate my trade and to be ashamed of home." Therefore Pip
burning ambition to improve himself and become less common
feels that to become worthy and acceptable as a person he
to attain Estella's approval. Pip, therefore, wants to raise

must improve his station in life and reach the superior

Chapter 20
stratosphere of Miss Havisham, Estella, and Satis House. For
Pip money is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Pip arrives at Mr. Jaggers's office in Little Britain. Pip enters
the office and meets a clerk, who tells Pip to wait for Mr.
The symbol of tears takes on another meaning in Chapter 17.
Jaggers in his room. As Pip waits he notices odd objects, such
Biddy sheds tears when Pip compliments her by saying how
as "two dreadful casts on a shelf, of faces peculiarly swollen,
industrious she is. In this case tears represent Biddy's love for
and twitchy about the nose." Eventually the two casts annoy
Pip. So far in Great Expectations Dickens uses tears to
Pip, so he decides to step outside.
represent various types of passionate emotions, from Pip's
shame caused by Estella's insults to Biddy's love for Pip. Pip wanders into a filthy meat market named Smithfield and
the Newgate Prison area, where people are hanged and
publicly flogged. Then Pip looks around Little Britain and finds
Chapters 19–20 many people who know Mr. Jaggers and are waiting anxiously
to have an audience with him. Finally Pip sees Mr. Jaggers
approaching. As Mr. Jaggers leads Pip past the waiting people,
Summary the lawyer treats them all with contempt.
Mr. Jaggers takes Pip into his office, where he explains that Pip
is to live in Barnard's Inn and share rooms with young Mr.
Chapter 19
Pocket. On Monday young Mr. Pocket will take Pip to his
Pip and Joe spend their last time together at the Battery. Later father's house, where the father will tutor Pip. Also Pip receives
Pip asks Biddy to improve Joe's education and manners so the a generous allowance for clothes and other items. Mr. Jaggers
blacksmith will fit in better when Pip raises his station in life. has his clerk, named Wemmick, take Pip to Barnard's Inn.
Biddy claims that asking Joe to improve his manners will hurt
his pride. Pip becomes offended by Biddy's implication that he
views Joe as inferior.
Analysis
Pip goes to the tailor, Mr. Trabb, to be fitted for a new suit. At In Chapters 19 and 20 Dickens focuses on the theme of social
first Mr. Trabb treats Pip casually, but when the tailor learns of class and ambition. In Chapter 19 the author shows how
Pip's new prospects he becomes more attentive. Having heard middle-class shopkeepers instantly change their attitude
of Pip's rise in fortune, Pumblechook anxiously awaits Pip at his toward Pip when they find out he is now wealthy. These people
shop. When Pip arrives, Pumblechook fawns over the young have their own ambitions, namely to increase their financial
man, serving him a huge lunch and wine. Pumblechook gain and fawn over Pip with the hope that he will spend money
constantly asks Pip for the honor of shaking his hand to with them. For example, the tailor, Mr. Trabb, asks Pip to
congratulate him. Pip laps up Pumblechook's compliments. patronize his store every now and then.
Dressed in his new suit, Pip visits Miss Havisham, who has Dickens also shows more fully what the author hinted at in
heard of Pip's good fortune. She knows that Pip's guardian is Chapter 18, namely that Pip's social ambition has begun to
Mr. Jaggers and the benefactor is anonymous. When Pip make him into a snob. Pip wants Biddy to educate Joe to make
kneels and kisses Miss Havisham's hand, he clearly indicates him fit in better with Pip's new status. Later Pip, dressed as a
that he believes her to be his benefactor. Later Pip says gentleman, is ashamed to be seen walking with Joe. Pip now
goodbye to Joe, telling him not to come to the coach. In his feels superior to all the common people in the village and,
new suit Pip feels ashamed of being seen with Joe in public. because of this, pities them. He promises himself
After Pip gets on the coach, he considers going back to his condescendingly to buy dinner for everyone in town.
home to have a better parting from Joe. But he doesn't act on
Dickens also develops the theme of social class by showing
this impulse and continues in the coach toward London.
the legal system in London. The author depicts Mr. Jaggers as
a successful, middle-class lawyer who has control over the

many lower- or working-class people who need his help. Mr. suitor for Estella. However, Miss Havisham rejected Herbert,
Jaggers treats these people with disdain. He seems mainly which was fine with him because he didn't like Estella. Also
concerned with them as a source of income. Pocket confirms that Mr. Jaggers is Miss Havisham's lawyer
and confidant. Pip likes Herbert's honest, easy manner. Pip
Dickens explores the theme of guilt by showing Pip's guilt shares how he came to know Miss Havisham and Estella.
about his snobbish attitude. Although Pip does not tell Joe he
is ashamed of the contrast in their appearance, he still During dinner Herbert reveals the backstory of Miss Havisham.
arranges to walk alone into town. Later when Pip is riding in a She was raised as a spoiled child by a wealthy brewer. The
coach away from his village, he again feels guilty and considers brewer also had a child by a woman who was not Miss
going back home, staying overnight, and having a "better Havisham's mother. This half-brother grew up wild and
parting" the next day. rebellious. After the father died, Miss Havisham received most
of the inheritance and the half-brother received a small
Dickens also expands on the symbol of tears. At the end of fortune. Soon a man courted and won over Miss Havisham,
Chapter 19, Pip cries about his ingratitude toward Joe. Pip who idolized him. He convinced Miss Havisham to buy out her
states that a person should never be ashamed of tears brother's share of the brewery for a large sum. On the day of
because "they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, the wedding, the man sent Miss Havisham a letter saying he
overlying our hard hearts." Dickens, therefore, shows that the would not marry her. After she read the letter, Miss Havisham
cause of tears can vary. They can be caused by shame, love, stopped all the clocks in her house and became a recluse. She
regret, and sadness. Whatever the cause, they have a learned her suitor and her half-brother had devised a plan to
benevolent and clarifying effect on a person's soul. get her money and jilt her at her wedding. Herbert's father,
Matthew Pocket, is a cousin of Miss Havisham. He warned her
about the suitor, which made her angry. She ordered him out of
Chapters 21–22 the house, and since then Matthew has never visited Miss
Havisham.
Summary Herbert shares his goal of becoming an insurer of ships.

Currently he is looking around for an opportunity. Although Pip
likes Herbert very much, he believes his friend will never be
very successful. Herbert works in a counting house, where he
Chapter 21
receives a small salary. On Monday morning Herbert escorts
Wemmick leads Pip to his lodgings at Barnard's Inn. Instead of Pip to his father's house. There Pip meets Mrs. Matthew
being a hotel, Barnard's Inn proves to be collection of shabby Pocket, two maids, and many children tumbling about. Mrs.
buildings surrounding a dismal little courtyard. Expecting Pocket has a remote, refined air. She reads a book and does
something grander, Pip is disappointed. Wemmick takes Pip to little to help take care of the children.
his apartment, where a note on the mailbox states "Return

shortly." Wemmick leaves, and Pip waits for his roommate, Mr.
Pocket Jr., who, when he arrives, is carrying two paper bags
Analysis
and a container of strawberries. He and Pip greet each other,
In Chapters 21 and 22 Dickens continues to explore the theme
and they enter the apartment. Soon Pocket recognizes Pip as
of social class and ambition. The author reveals that, although
the "prowling boy," and Pip recognizes Pocket as the "pale
Pip will be educated as a gentleman, his current living
young gentleman" he fought at Satis House years before.
conditions are somewhat disappointing. Pip no doubt expects
to dwell in a well-maintained lodging. However, Pip describes
Chapter 22 his lodging, Barnard's Inn, as a collection of shabby dwellings
surrounding a "melancholy little square that looked to me like a
Pip and Mr. Pocket Jr. express amazement at meeting each flat burying-ground." In a way this rundown building resembles
other after so many years. Herbert Pocket (as he is called) the decaying Satis House. Similar to how Satis House
explains that he was taken to Miss Havisham as a possible represents Miss Havisham's warped views, Barnard's Inn

reflects the shabby social ambitions of Pip. This rundown inn, Pocket became neither one. Mrs. Pocket, though, acts as if she
though, does not dissuade Pip from wanting to learn the is nobility and should be treated as such.
manners of an upper-class gentleman. As a result during
dinner, Pip has Herbert correct his coarse eating habits. Pip notices that Mr. and Mrs. Pocket allow their servants to run
Herbert proves to be a friendly and obliging tutor. the household with little supervision. Although educated at
Harrow and Cambridge, Mr. Pocket had to take a job as a
Dickens also shows that not all members of the middle class grinder of blades to support Mrs. Pocket. Later he became a
have the same type of ambition. For instance, Herbert wants to corrector of literary compilations and earned enough along
become an insurer of ships. Even though Herbert is sincere with some private resources to support his household.
about his ambition, he has an easygoing attitude concerning it.
For Herbert, obtaining his goal involves casually "looking about Pip also meets his two fellow students, Bentley Drummle and
me." For this reason Pip senses that Herbert will probably Startop. Drummle is "the next heir but one to a baronetcy."
never be very successful. In contrast Pip's ambitions are more Because of this, Drummle takes a superior attitude toward
intense, almost desperate. everyone in the household except Mrs. Pocket, with whom he
feels an alliance. Mr. Pocket constantly feels frustrated by his
In Chapter 22 Dickens focuses on the theme of uncertainty wife's obliviousness and shows his anxiety by pulling at his hair.
and deceit by clearing up Pip's confusion about Miss Havisham Mrs. Pocket displays no ability to take care of her children.
and the way she lives. By explaining how Miss Havisham had Also she gets insulted by servants and children treating her
her heart broken, Herbert provides motives for her behavior. with "disrespect."
Pip now understands that Miss Havisham has groomed Estella
to break men's hearts, including his own. Therefore Miss
Havisham's deception about why she had Pip come to her Chapter 24
house is exposed. Even so Pip remains blinded by his desire to
win Estella. Also he still is unclear about many things. He still Pip is educated not for any profession, but instead to hold his
does not know how Estella came under Miss Havisham's care. own as a gentleman. Mr. Pocket's friendly, enthusiastic attitude
Pip also still believes that Miss Havisham is his benefactress. as a teacher inspires Pip to become an enthusiastic student.
Pip decides to stay with Herbert at Barnard's Inn and goes to
In addition Dickens shows that Pip is still gnawed by guilt Mr. Jaggers to get money to buy furniture.
concerning his ungratefulness about his upbringing. Pip states,
"Yet in the London streets ... there were depressing hints of After intensive questioning by Jaggers, Pip decides he needs
reproaches for that I had put the poor old kitchen at home so the sum of 20 pounds, which is provided. Jaggers then leaves,
far away." and Mr. Wemmick gives Pip a tour of Jaggers's office building.
Pip asks about the two casts hanging on the wall in Jaggers's
office. Wemmick explains that each cast was taken of a man
Chapters 23–24 after he was hanged for a crime. After this the clerk leads Pip
to a police court. There Pip observes Mr. Jaggers dominating
the courtroom with his cross-examinations, making everyone
cower under his presence, including the presiding judge.
Summary
Analysis
Chapter 23
Dickens further explores the theme of social class and
Pip meets Mr. Matthew Pocket, his tutor. Pip soon learns that ambition in Chapters 23 and 24. In Chapter 23 as in previous
Mrs. Pocket was raised with the expectation of marrying into chapters, the author depicts members of the middle class
nobility. She met Mr. Pocket when they were both young. Mr. through the use of satire. Mrs. Pocket is shown as a ridiculous
Pocket had ambitions of becoming either a member of person who had ambitions of becoming nobility. Although
Parliament or a bishop. Because both positions satisfied Mrs. these designs have been frustrated, she still insists on being
Pocket, she agreed to marry him. As things turned out, Mr.

treated as a noble and takes offense at anyone who poses the fortress mounted with a cannon, which the clerk fires promptly
slightest threat to this artifice. Bentley Drummle is a character at nine o'clock each night.
who actually could become a baron. Fully realizing this,
Drummle treats everyone in Mr. Pocket's household, except for Inside the main house, Wemmick introduces Pip to Wemmick's
Mrs. Pocket, as an inferior. Therefore Mrs. Pocket and Bentley elderly father, called the Aged P. Hard of hearing, the Aged P.
Drummle are two examples of people who see more value in seems like an agreeable person who is proud of his son and
social standing than in true friendship. What matters to these the house he built. The Aged P. enjoys people nodding at him
people is feeling superior to other people. As a result they are and hearing the cannon go off at nine. Wemmick serves punch
obsessed with becoming upper class. Pip himself falls into this to Pip and talks about how "the office is one thing, and private
group. After all he is being trained to hold his own as a life is another." Indeed Mr. Jaggers has never been to
gentleman. This plan fits Pip's purpose because he is obsessed Wemmicks' castle-like home and knows nothing about it or the
with becoming a member of the upper class to gain the Aged P. The next morning after breakfast, Wemmick takes Pip
approval of Miss Havisham and Estella. back to London. During the walk Pip notices how Wemmick's
demeanor seems to harden as they walk along.
Dickens also develops the theme of social class by showing in
detail Mr. Jaggers's law office. As a successful lawyer, Mr.
Jaggers is obsessed with maintaining a position of superiority Chapter 26
and control over his lower-class clients. Indeed he treats his
clients like trophies to be won and displayed. For example, Pip, Startop, and Drummle go to Mr. Jaggers's office, where
Jaggers has casts of his two most celebrated clients displayed they see the lawyer thoroughly washing his face and hands
like awards on his office wall. after a case. Jaggers takes the three young men to his home
for dinner. Jaggers has a stately but dingy house. Inside Pip
sees a stone hall and a "dark brown staircase," which leads up
Chapters 25–26 to three rooms on the first floor. In the best of these rooms,
Jaggers has a nicely set table. The lawyer himself distributes
the food and drinks to his guests. Jaggers seems to take a
special interest in Drummle. The courses for the dinner are
Summary brought in by a tall, pale woman with streaming hair whose
face looks as if "disturbed by fiery air." This housekeeper
seems to dread Mr. Jaggers's disapproval.
Chapter 25
Jaggers encourages his guests to talk about themselves,
Pip describes Drummle as a sluggish snob who is not thereby revealing their faults. During the conversation Jaggers
intelligent and keeps to himself. In contrast Startop is a person grabs the housekeeper's hand and tells her to show his guests
who was spoiled by his mother and is devoted to her. Herbert her strong wrists. The housekeeper begs Jaggers not to make
has become a "friend and companion" of Pip, and the two often her do this, but he insists. She then holds out both wrists,
have long talks as they walk between Hammersmith and which are deeply scarred across. Jaggers casually discusses
London. Mr. and Mrs. Camilla and Georgiana show up at Mr. the strength of her hands and lets her go. Afterward Pip gets
Matthew Pocket's house. Mrs. Camilla is Mr. Pocket's sister, into an argument with Drummle. As the three young men leave
and Georgiana is a cousin. The Camillas and Georgiana fawn the house, Pip goes back inside and apologizes to Jaggers for
over Pip because of his newfound prosperity. Pip does well anything disagreeable that happened during dinner. Jaggers
with his studies but has developed expensive habits. indicates there is no need to apologize and says he especially
likes the "Spider," meaning Drummle.
One evening after work, Wemmick takes Pip to his home in
Walworth for supper. Pip finds that Wemmick's small house
resembles a castle. Wemmick has cut out the top of the house
to look like a battery with guns. The house has a plank that
serves as a drawbridge over a ditch and an attached small

discomfort about working within a corrupt legal system.

Analysis
In addition Dickens develops the theme of uncertainty and
In Chapters 25 and 26 Dickens focuses on the theme of social deceit through the interaction between the housekeeper and
class by contrasting the domestic lives of Mr. Wemmick and Mr. Jaggers. Pip portrays the housekeeper as an unusual, eerie
Mr. Jaggers. The author shows Wemmick as a person who person who resembles the witches in Macbeth. Jaggers treats
leads two distinct lives. At the office he is all business and the woman like a trained beast, making her show her scarred
seems efficient and brusque. However, Wemmick's private life wrists even though she hates doing so. Pip must wonder what
is totally the opposite. At home Wemmick is a kind, loving man a woman like this is doing in Jaggers's household and why
who takes excellent care of his aged parent and treats his Jaggers treats her in this manner.
guest, Pip, with generosity and openness. Wemmick has spent
years creating a whimsical castle for himself and his father. Pip
feels at ease with Wemmick at his house while marveling at the
Chapters 27–28
abode's unique features. However, as Pip walks with Wemmick
back to Jaggers's office, Pip notices how the clerk's demeanor
changes. Pip states, "By degrees, Wemmick got dryer and
harder as we went along, and his mouth tightened into a post-
Summary
office again." So as Wemmick approaches his office, he
becomes less vulnerable and more cold-hearted. Apparently
because of the type of work Wemmick does, he feels the need
Chapter 27
to wear this hardened mask to do his job as Jaggers wished.
A letter from Biddy to Pip announces that Joe is coming to
In contrast Dickens depicts Mr. Jaggers as a person who never London to visit Pip. Pip prepares for the visit, feeling worried
leaves his work. The room where Jaggers and his guests eat about how Joe will fit in with Pip's gentlemanly lifestyle. Pip's
dinner also includes bookshelves filled with volumes about apartment has changed from its original appearance, being
criminal law and a small desk with papers and a lamp. Pip decorated with fine things and having a servant dressed in a
states, "He [Jaggers] seemed to bring the office home with him uniform. Pip expects Joe to arrive for breakfast and waits for
... and to wheel it out of an evening and fall to work." Also his old friend with fear. He hears a person climbing the stairs
Jaggers's attitude remains the same at work and at home. He and realizes it is Joe by his clumsy gait. Joe and Pip greet each
always seems to be examining people for his own professional other as old friends, but Pip immediately senses Joe's
ends. For instance, he takes a special interest in Drummle, discomfort. The blacksmith is uncomfortably dressed in a suit
even though he is obviously a selfish snob. Jaggers probably and talks in an awkward way, trying to show respect for Pip as
realizes Drummle will have legal troubles later in life, perhaps a gentleman.
by spending too much money, and therefore will need the
Joe informs Pip that Mr. Wopsle has left the church and
lawyer's services.
become an actor. Herbert enters and greets Joe, who carefully
However, even though Jaggers is shrewd and calculating, his takes off his hat and balances it on the edge of the fireplace
keen powers of perception allow him to see people for who mantle. During breakfast the hat topples, causing Joe to catch
they really are. Jaggers immediately sees through Drummle's it and place it back on the mantle. This routine happens several
pretensions and realizes he's a fool who will come to no good. times, until the hat ends up splashing into the slop basin. Pip
Also Jaggers gives good advice to people he likes more. feels impatient and upset. After breakfast Herbert leaves. Joe
Because of this he warns Pip to "keep as clear of him informs Pip that Miss Havisham wants the young man to visit
[Drummle] as you can." her and Estella, who has come home. Then Joe admits he's
wrong out of the forge and out of his work clothes and says
Jaggers tries to get rid of the unpleasantness of his work by goodbye to Pip.
thoroughly washing his hands after dealing with cases and
certain people. This gesture resembles Pontius Pilate washing
his hands after sentencing Jesus to death. Both instances
represent an attempt to symbolically wash away guilt and

guilt through Pip's feelings of regret about his breakfast with

Chapter 28
Joe. Pip reflects that if he had more good sense he would have
Pip feels regret about the way he treated Joe during his visit. realized his responsibility for the awkwardness: "If I had been
Because of this Pip at first plans to stay at Joe's home when easier with Joe, Joe would have been easier with me." Pip
visiting Miss Havisham. However, Pip gradually convinces plans to make up for his ill treatment of Joe by staying at Joe's
himself that such an arrangement would not work well, so he place when visiting Miss Havisham. However, Pip convinces
decides to stay at the Blue Boar. On the day of Pip's journey to himself with various trumped-up reasons that staying with Joe
visit Miss Havisham, he notices two convicts who will be would not work. Torn between his snobbishness as a
traveling with him. Pip recognizes one of the convicts as the gentleman and his friendship for Joe, Pip allows his
man who gave Pip a shilling wrapped in two one-pound notes. snobbishness to win out without admitting his true motives. Pip
During the journey Pip overhears the convicts talking. Pip's berates himself, stating, "All other swindlers upon earth are
convict relates the story of how a fellow convict told him to find nothing to the self-swindlers."
a boy and give him two one-pound notes. When Pip arrives at
Pip shows a residue of guilt about his working-class upbringing
the Blue Boar, he reads a newspaper article that describes
and his contact with the criminal world in his childhood.
Pumblechook as Pip's earliest patron and "the founder of ...
Because of this he senses a fear about being recognized at the
[his] fortunes."
Blue Boar and also a more nebulous fear. Pip states, "As I
walked on to the hotel, I felt that a dread, much exceeding the
mere apprehension of a painful or disagreeable recognition,
Analysis made me tremble. I am confident that it took no distinctness of
shape, and that it was the revival for few minutes of the terror
In Chapter 27 Dickens continues to convey the theme of social
of childhood."
class through the interaction of a middle-class person with an
upper-class person. Although Pip is not technically a member
of the upper class until he comes into his fortune, he has been
educated as a gentleman and thus has adopted the manners
Chapters 29–30
of the upper class. Also Pip has changed his apartment to
reflect upper-class tastes. Indeed Pip could be seen as
becoming obsessed with giving the appearance of the upper Summary
class. He has even hired a servant whom he detests. Pip says
about this servant: "I had made the monster ... and had clothed
him with a blue coat, canary waistcoat, white cravat, creamy Chapter 29
breeches ... I had to find him a little to do and a great deal to
eat ... he haunted my existence." So even though Pip hates the On his way to Miss Havisham's, Pip daydreams about Estella
servant, he puts up with him for appearances' sake. Pip's being chosen for him and rescuing her from Satis House. Pip
spending to keep up these appearances has already put him in loves Estella even though he realizes he loves her against
debt to an upholsterer. reason, against hope, and against happiness. Pip arrives at
Satis House and is surprised when Orlick opens the gate.
Joe's visit demonstrates the gap between working class and Orlick has quit his work for Joe and has taken a job as
upper class. To show respect for his friend, Joe dresses in an gatekeeper for Miss Havisham.
uncomfortable suit and addresses Pip formally, calling him "sir."
Joe obviously feels like a fish out of water. Realizing Joe's Pip enters the dressing room, where he sees Miss Havisham
awkwardness and yet embarrassed by his common manners, seated by her dressing table as well as an elegant lady. The
Pip becomes impatient and upset. Through this meeting lady is Estella, who has grown into a beautiful woman. Estella's
Dickens clearly shows the broad divide between the working transformation stuns Pip. She admits that Pip has also
class and the upper class and the difficulty of overcoming this changed. Miss Havisham greedily watches the two of them. Pip
chasm, even between two old friends. and Estella walk in the garden and talk about old times. Pip
asks if Estella remembers when she made him cry. She doesn't
Also in Chapters 27 and 28 Dickens presents the theme of

recall the occasion, which hurts Pip. Then Estella admits she against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all
has no heart, meaning she has no sympathy or sentiment. Pip discouragement that could be."
refuses to believe her. Estella reminds Pip of someone, but he
can't think of whom. Estella and Pip walk to the room with the Even though Pip now has the look and manners of a
wedding cake covered by cobwebs. Pip pushes Miss Havisham gentleman, he stills feels inferior to Estella. When he gazes at
in her wheelchair around the table. After Estella leaves the the adult Estella, he says that "I slipped hopelessly back into
room, Miss Havisham repeatedly tells Pip to love Estella. the coarse and common boy again." Pip cannot disassociate
his love for Estella from ambition for money and gentility.
Mr. Jaggers enters the room. Pip and Jaggers head to a dining Estella and being an upper-class gentleman are melded into a
room and eat dinner with Estella and Miss Sarah Pocket. Later fixed aspiration that torments Pip.
an arrangement is made for Estella to travel to London, where
Pip will meet her at the coach. Pip and Jaggers leave Satis Chapters 29 and 30 combine the theme of social class with
House. As Pip lies in bed at the Blue Boar, he repeats to the theme of uncertainty and deceit. First of all Pip feels
himself, "I love her, I love her, I love her!" uncertain about his social position. Herbert tries to assure Pip
that the money-minded Mr. Jaggers would not be involved if
Pip's expectations had a chance of not being fulfilled. Even so
Chapter 30 Dickens suggests that Pip has lost a firm grasp of his identity.
Pip says, "I was a blacksmith's boy but yesterday; I am—what
Pip informs Jaggers that Orlick is not suitable to hold the shall I say I am—to-day?" As a blacksmith's apprentice, Pip's
position of gatekeeper for Miss Havisham. Mr. Jaggers says life was clearly laid out for him. Moving from the working class
he'll buy the man off. To avoid meeting Pumblechook, Pip to the upper class makes Pip feel uncertain about who he is
leaves the Blue Boar after breakfast and walks on the road and what is to become of him. Pip also remains uncertain about
toward London. The coach will pick him up. When Pip arrives in Estella's true identity. He tries to get Jaggers to reveal Estella's
London, he sends a codfish and a barrel of oysters to Joe to real name. Even though the lawyer claims her name is
make up for not staying with him. Havisham, he gives the impression of knowing more
information that he cannot tell Pip.
Pip talks to Herbert about his love for Estella. Not surprised by
Pip's infatuation, Herbert wonders if Estella feels the same
way. Pip laments that Estella remains emotionally distant. Pip
also admits to being uncertain about his social position
Chapters 31–32
because his expectations are vague. Herbert assures Pip that
if Mr. Jaggers is involved with Pip's expectations then he will
receive a healthy fortune. Based on the strangeness of Miss Summary
Havisham and her influence on Estella, Herbert asks if Pip
could possibly detach himself from Estella. Pip says, "No.
Impossible!" Herbert then reveals his love for a woman named Chapter 31
Clara, whom he cannot marry until he begins to earn a healthy
Pip and Herbert attend a performance of Hamlet, in which Mr.
income.
Wopsle plays the title role. The performance is so bad that it
becomes a farce. After the play Pip and Herbert visit Wopsle
Analysis backstage. With an air of dignity, Mr. Wopsle asks Pip and
Herbert about their opinion of his performance. Herbert prods
In Chapters 29 and 30 Dickens develops the theme of social Pip to give genial responses. Feeling sorry for Wopsle, Pip
class and ambition through Pip's romantic dream of attaining invites him to supper.
Estella. He daydreams about restoring Satis House to its

former glory and marrying Estella, like a knight rescuing a
princess in a romance. Pip realizes his lofty ambitions are not
realistic. Pip says, "I loved her against reason, against promise,

the prison as "a frouzy, ugly, disorderly, depressing scene." In

Chapter 32
fact when Pip returns to the coach office, he feels
Pip receives a letter from Estella confirming Miss Havisham's contaminated by the prison dust on his clothes, especially
arrangement for Pip to meet Estella when she arrives in considering that he is about to meet the refined Estella. For
London by coach. Anxiously Pip goes to the coach office hours Pip, Estella and the prison seem like opposite ends of the
before the coach is due to arrive. There he runs into Wemmick spectrum. Later he learns how appearances can be deceptive.
on his way to Newgate Prison. Wemmick invites Pip to Also Pip's contact with the criminal element foreshadows the
accompany him and, eager to kill time, Pip agrees. appearance of Magwitch and the revelation that Pip's
expectations have been provided by a criminal.
At the prison Pip notices Wemmick treat prisoners like a
gardener looking over his plants. When Wemmick sees a newly
arrived prisoner he greets the convict like a shoot that just Chapters 33–34
sprouted during the night. Clients of Jaggers, these prisoners
recognize Wemmick and question him about their cases.
However, Wemmick replies that as a subordinate he can
Summary
provide no answers and to ask Jaggers. Pip and Wemmick
part, and Pip heads back to the coach office. There he waits
for Estella, shaking off the foul dust from the prison as he
Chapter 33
prepares to meet her.
Pip meets Estella as she gets out of her coach. She is more
beautiful than ever. As she talks to Pip, Estella gives the
Analysis impression that she and Pip are following the orders of Miss
Havisham. Based on these orders, Pip has a waiter lead him
In Chapter 31 Dickens conveys the themes of ambition and
and Estella to a private sitting room and orders tea. She tells
deceit by drawing a parallel between Mr. Wopsle and Pip. Mr.
Pip that she is to live with a lady in Surrey, Richmond. Also
Wopsle is a person who has a lifelong ambition of being a great
Estella says how the Pockets, not including Matthew and his
stage performer. Although he does become an actor, Mr.
son, have misrepresented Pip as a disreputable person to Miss
Wopsle is deceiving himself. He has no talent and will never
Havisham. Estella laughs about this and assures Pip that these
become a great actor. Pip has the ambition of marrying Estella.
slanders have had no effect on Miss Havisham. Pip is
However, Pip is also deceiving himself. He knows deep within
entranced by Estella, who allows him to kiss her cheek. They
himself that no matter how strong his yearning for Estella he
have tea, after which Pip takes Estella to a post-coach.
will not attain her, at least not in the way he hopes. Despite this
he keeps on trying to win her over, like Mr. Wopsle keeps on As Pip and Estella ride to Richmond, they pass by Newgate
acting even though greatness is out of his reach. So Pip's Prison. Pip mentions that Mr. Jaggers has many clients in the
expectations of a meaningful relationship with Estella is as prison. Since her early childhood Estella has often seen
much of a sham as Wopsle's acting ability. Considering this, it Jaggers at Satis House but has never gotten to really know
comes as no surprise that Pip dreams about himself him. Pip feels as if his heart is in Estella's hand, and she knows
incompetently playing Hamlet to Miss Havisham's ghost. it. Estella tells Pip he is to visit her in Richmond whenever he
thinks proper. They arrive at her new residence, and Pip says
In Chapter 32 Dickens develops the theme of social class by
goodbye to Estella.
contrasting Pip's lofty dreams about the upper-class Estella
with the grimy lower-class prisoners at Newgate. The chapter
begins with Pip being so anxious about meeting Estella that he Chapter 34
wants to buy several new suits, but he realizes he doesn't have
the time. As it is, he comes to the coach office to meet Estella Pip feels uneasy about the way he has treated Joe and Biddy.
hours early. Pip's fixation on his ideal is interrupted by At times Pip thinks he would have been happier if he had
Wemmick on his way to Newgate Prison. At the prison Pip remained at the forge. Also Pip feels guilty about how he has
faces the exact opposite of his beautiful dream. Pip describes

influenced Herbert for the worse. Following Pip's lead Herbert appearance and doing leisure activities without accomplishing
spends beyond his means and, like Pip, has accrued large anything of any real worth. The author does this mainly through
debts. Pip thinks about offering to take on Herbert's debts, but Pip's involvement with the Finches of the Grove, a club of idle,
he knows Herbert is too proud to accept. Herbert constantly wealthy young gentlemen. Pip says of this club: "the object of
goes into the city to look about for a job opportunity with no which institution I have never divined, if it were not that the
success. Pip and Herbert try to solve their financial woes by members should dine expensively once a fortnight, to quarrel
spending hours on their bookkeeping. However, these among themselves as much as possible after dinner, and to
attempts at solvency have no effect on their spending habits. cause six waiters to get drunk on the stairs."
As Pip and Herbert ponder their bills, Pip receives a letter
informing him of Mrs. Joe's death.
Chapters 35–36
Analysis
In Chapter 33 Dickens analyzes the theme of social class by
Summary
emphasizing the power of money. The author often uses the
symbol of money to represent power or control over people's
lives. Miss Havisham is a wealthy woman of the upper class
Chapter 35
who uses her money to control other people. The chapter
Pip admits he has no tenderness for Mrs. Joe but does feel a
opens with Estella giving Pip her purse filled with money
hint of regret, which softens his memories of their relationship.
provided by Miss Havisham and telling Pip, "We have no choice,
you and I, but to obey our instructions." These instructions When Pip arrives at Joe's home, he finds that Mr. Trabb has
involve doing actions that Miss Havisham is paying for. Estella created an ostentatious funeral, making the inside of the house
can be seen as a puppet on a string with Miss Havisham as the look like a "black Bazaar" and dressing Joe in a long black
puppet master. Estella, though, becomes a puppet who cloak with a large bow under his chin. Pip offers his
controls another puppet, namely Pip. In this way Miss condolences to Joe and notices Biddy trying to help the
Havisham tries to exact her revenge on men. However, this guests. Pip meets Pumblechook, who again fawns over the
elaborate method of control would not be possible without young man. Mr. Trabb organizes the funeral procession, which
ample funds. makes Pip feel as if he is taking part in a morbid dance. The
procession heads onto the marsh to the church where Pip's
In Chapter 34 Dickens focuses on the theme of guilt and
parents are buried.
redemption and the theme of deceit. Throughout the chapter
Pip is plagued by guilt over various actions, including treating After the guests leave, Pip has a simple dinner with Joe and
Joe badly, spending beyond his means, and influencing Herbert Biddy in the best parlor of Joe's house. Biddy mentions seeing
for the worse. Pip makes a stab at redemption by focusing on Orlick lurking about, which fills Pip with indignation. Pip states
his bookkeeping with the hope of solving his financial his plan to visit Joe more often, but Biddy wonders if Pip will
problems. This attempt seems to be in earnest. Pip and fulfill this plan. Her doubts hurt Pip. In the morning Pip says
Herbert spend hours at their task, creating a list of bills and goodbye to Joe and Biddy. As he walks away, Pip senses that
checking off each one. However, Pip and Herbert are deceiving Biddy's doubts are probably justified.
themselves. Despite the feeling of satisfaction at organizing
their bills, they have done nothing to curb their spending. Pip
and Herbert also deceive themselves about enjoying their lives. Chapter 36
Pip states, "There was a gay fiction among us that we were
constantly enjoying ourselves, and a skeleton truth that we Pip and Herbert continue to pile up debts. On his 21st birthday
never did." Pip comes of age to receive his fortune. Pip goes to Jaggers's
office, where Wemmick congratulates him. Pip then meets with
Also in Chapter 34 Dickens depicts Pip's gravitation toward Jaggers, who asks Pip how much money he is spending. Pip
dandyism, or the placing of importance on having a refined confesses he has no idea, which does not surprise Jaggers.

Jaggers tells Pip that his benefactor will not be made known
today. Then Jaggers hands Pip a banknote for 500 pounds. Pip Chapters 37–38
will receive this amount each year and, from now on, will take
his money matters into his own hands. Pip is grateful. Jaggers
asserts that Pip's benefactor may not reveal his or her identity Summary
for years. Pip still assumes that Miss Havisham is his
benefactress.
Chapter 37
Pip invites Jaggers to have dinner with him and Herbert, which
the lawyer accepts. Pip then asks Wemmick about the Pip visits Wemmick's house, crossing the drawbridge and
possibility of giving some of his 500 pounds to a friend to help entering the castle. The Aged P. pulls up the drawbridge and
him start in business. Wemmick discourages this idea as a bad informs Pip that Wemmick will be home soon. Soon Wemmick
investment but implies that his answer at home in Walworth arrives with a woman. Wemmick introduces Pip to Miss
might be different. Encouraged, Pip plans to visit Wemmick at Skiffins, a genial lady who wears green gloves. Pip learns that
home soon. Pip and Herbert have dinner with Jaggers. Miss Skiffins, a few years younger than Wemmick, often visits
the castle. Pip and Wemmick take a walk on the small property,
during which Pip expresses his desire to use part of his fortune
Analysis to anonymously help Herbert get started in business. Pip asks
Wemmick if he could think of any way to bring this about.
In Chapter 35 Dickens touches on the theme of guilt and Wemmick appreciates Pip's confidence and says he'll give the
redemption through Pip and Mrs. Joe. At the beginning of the matter some thought.
chapter, Pip admits to not feeling tenderness for his sister. He
does, though, feel indignation toward the person who attacked After tea the Aged P. reads out loud from a newspaper with
her. This indignation is Pip's way of making up for not having Pip, Wemmick, and Miss Skiffins listening. During the reading
tender sentiments about Mrs. Joe. Pip, therefore, feels some Pip notices Wemmick putting his arm around Miss Skiffins's
guilt about his lack of affection for his sister. Later when Pip waist. The lady calmly halts Wemmick's advance, uncoils his
walks to Joe's house, he realizes that after he dies people may arm, and places it between her and him in neutral territory. The
need to soften their memories of him. As a result his memories procedure happens several times. After the Aged P. doses off,
of Mrs. Joe soften somewhat. Thus Pip's insights about his Pip says his goodbyes.
own failings helps redeem his feelings about his sister.
Soon Wemmick arranges a business deal with a shipping
Dickens focuses on the theme of social class and ambition in broker, who is Miss Skiffins's brother; Pip pays the broker 250
Chapter 35 by describing the behavior of Mr. Trabb and pounds, and the broker takes on Herbert as a partner. Herbert
Pumblechook at the funeral. Mr. Trabb tries to give the funeral will never be told of Pip's involvement in the matter. Before
the fancy airs of the upper class, which is totally out of place. long Herbert expresses his joy to Pip about finding an
By providing the clothes and decorations for this ostentatious opportunity with a shipping broker.
display, Mr. Trabb satisfies his ambition to profit from the
funeral. Pumblechook uses the funeral as an opportunity to
fawn over Pip and hopefully gain favor from the young man. Chapter 38
In Chapter 36 Dickens uses the symbol of money to represent Pip often visits Estella at Richmond, where he watches her
Pip's official rise into the upper class. He now has become a romantically ensnare other men. Estella allows Pip to be
gentleman in his own right who handles his own financial familiar with her but gives him no hope that his love for her will
affairs. Even so the theme of uncertainty and deceit remain be returned. As a result all the parties, concerts, and other
dominant in Pip's life. Pip's coming into his fortune does not social events Pip attends with Estella make him miserable.
provide him with knowledge about his benefactor's identity. Pip
Pip accompanies Estella to Satis House. There Miss Havisham
continues to assume that Miss Havisham is his benefactress
eagerly looks at the beautiful Estella and relishes her painful
and, because of this, he continues to be deceived.

effect on Pip. Pip admits to himself that Miss Havisham uses deceived herself.
Estella to seek revenge on men. However at one point during
the visit, Estella pulls away from Miss Havisham and stands by
the fireplace. Hurt by the lack of affection, Miss Havisham Chapters 39–40
accuses Estella of being a cold, hard woman. Estella seems
amazed by Miss Havisham's accusation, stating that she has
become what Miss Havisham has made her—a woman who
Summary
cannot love and who scorns the attentions of men. During the
night Pip hears Miss Havisham pacing and moaning in her
room. The following day Miss Havisham and Estella seem to
Chapter 39
have made up, except the recluse now regards her ward with a
hint of fear. Two years after the end of the previous chapter, Pip is now 23
years old, and he and Herbert have moved to nicer rooms in
During a dinner at the Finches attended by Drummle and Pip,
the Temple. During a stormy night, Pip reads alone near his
Drummle toasts Estella. Pip is offended by this and accuses
fireplace; Herbert is away on a business trip. A strange man
Drummle of toasting a woman he doesn't know. Later Drummle
comes to visit Pip. He is a muscular man "browned and
produces a note written by Estella stating that she has danced
hardened by exposure to weather." The man wants to talk to
with him several times. After a ball Pip expresses his shock to
Pip and extends his arms to the young gentleman in a friendly
Estella that she would bestow her regard on a brute like
greeting. Pip fears this man but out of common politeness
Drummle. Estella admits to deceiving and entrapping Drummle
invites him into his apartment. Once inside Pip soon recognizes
and many other men but not Pip.
the man as the convict he helped on the marshes many years
before. The man accepts a drink and sits by the fire.
Analysis The man then reveals that he knows how much money Pip
receives each year and that his former guardian was Jaggers.
Chapter 37 focuses on the theme of guilt and redemption. Pip
Pip almost faints upon realizing that this former convict, not
feels guilt about his bad influence on Herbert and, to make up
Miss Havisham, is his benefactor. The man explains how he
for it, expresses to Wemmick a desire to anonymously
became a successful sheep farmer. When he began to earn
establish Herbert in business. The attempt succeeds. As a
large sums, he decided to make Pip into a gentleman and set
result Pip achieves some redemption. Pip's act of kindness
up the arrangements with Jaggers. The man expresses pride in
even has a redemptive effect on Wemmick. The clerk feels that
Pip's fine clothes and fancy rooms. He confesses that his
assisting Pip to help Herbert will help him deal with the type of
arrival in England is dangerous. If a convict sent abroad returns
work he does for Jaggers. Wemmick states, "There are
to England he will be arrested if found out. Pip feels
Newgate cobwebs about, and it brushes them away."
abhorrence toward this man for loading him with his "wretched
gold." Added to this Pip now feels he holds the fate and safety
In Chapter 38 the themes of ambition and deceit take center
of this man in his hands.
stage. Pip realizes that Miss Havisham's ambition in life is for
Estella to break the hearts of men. However, he still believes
Pip lets the man sleep in Herbert's bed. Stunned, Pip tries to
Miss Havisham wants Pip to have Estella after she has broken
collect his thoughts. He now knows Miss Havisham never
enough hearts. In this way Pip remains deceived. Dickens also
intended Estella for him but instead used him for Estella to
shows how Miss Havisham's ambitions have backfired on her.
practice on. Terror fills Pip as he realizes he might not be safe
She wants Estella to be cold and unfeeling toward men but to
having this former convict under the same roof.
show love to her. Estella, though, claims she is unable to do
this. She states, "I must be taken as I have been made. The
success is not mine, the failure is not mine, but the two Chapter 40
together make me." To Miss Havisham's horror, she realizes
that the puppet she has created cannot act against its nature Pip wakes up from a restless sleep. Pip soon realizes he
and show love to its creator. Therefore Miss Havisham has cannot keep the former convict at his residence because doing

so would be too conspicuous. While it is still dark, Pip leaves a gentleman. Pip shows his revulsion of having anything to do
his rooms and stumbles over a man near the staircase, with Magwitch when he says, "He [Magwitch] laid his hand on
crouching in a corner. The watchman informs Pip that during my shoulder. I shuddered at the thought that for anything I
the night he let in two strangers, who appeared to be together. knew, his hand might be stained with blood."
One stranger Pip identifies as his former convict, but the other
stranger remains unidentified. Dickens uses the symbol of money to represent control over
other people. Similar to Miss Havisham, Magwitch uses money
Before breakfast the former convict tells Pip his name is Abel to make a person over into what he wants. In Magwitch's case
Magwitch, but he goes by Provis. Also Magwitch says he came the goal is to make Pip into a gentleman who shows his
alone last night, although he suspected someone might be superiority over other gentleman. In Miss Havisham's case the
walking near him. After breakfast Magwitch says he's planning goal is to make Estella into a beautiful lady who wreaks
to stay with Pip. Distraught by this news, Pip decides Magwitch vengeance on men.
should dress like a prosperous farmer. Magwitch stays in Pip's
room while Pip goes out to rent a room for Magwitch and buy
clothes for him. Pip then visits Jaggers to verify that Chapters 41–42
Magwitch's story is indeed true. Without admitting any
knowledge of Magwitch being in England, Jaggers verifies that
the convict had been transported to Australia and had written
Summary
him from New South Wales. Pip admits he always thought Miss
Havisham to be his benefactress, but Jaggers takes no
responsibility for Pip's misunderstanding. A few days later
Chapter 41
Herbert returns home, and Magwitch makes him swear not to
reveal Magwitch's true identity. Magwitch explains everything to an astounded Herbert. Pip
takes Magwitch to his apartment and then returns to his own
residence. There Pip talks to Herbert about what is to be done.
Analysis Distraught about his situation, Pip states that he cannot take
any more money from Magwitch and also wants to disengage
Chapters 39 and 40 focus mainly on the theme of social class
himself from the former convict. However, if he does separate
and ambition. Magwitch reveals his ambition to make Pip into
himself from Magwitch, Pip fears the former convict will do
an upper-class gentleman. For Magwitch this goal became a
something rash and get arrested for returning to England.
fixed idea as he worked to become a prosperous sheep
Because of what Magwitch has done for him, Pip does not
farmer. Magwitch states, "Blast you every one, from the judge
want him to go back to prison. Herbert suggests that Pip take
in his wig, to the colonists a stirring up dust, I'll show a better
Magwitch out of the country and then figure out the best way
gentleman than the whole kit on you put together." This shows
to break from him. Pip agrees.
that members of every class have ambitions for attaining or
exerting superiority. Magwitch wants Pip to become a superior
gentleman. Pip and Mrs. Pocket want to gain superior positions Chapter 42
in the upper class. Middle-class shopkeepers, such as
Pumblechook, want to earn enough to become wealthy, upper- Magwitch tells Pip and Herbert the story of his life. He grew up
class merchants. in poor circumstances, never knowing who his parents were.
Many people treated young Magwitch as an outcast, and he
Pip's attempt to gain self-worth by identifying with the upper
ended up in and out of jail. As an adult Magwitch took whatever
class causes him to be revolted by the idea that a lower-class
work he could find—some of it was legal, some wasn't. Then a
convict bankrolled his rise in status. Throughout most of the
swindler named Compeyson asked Magwitch to become a
novel, Pip has attempted to reject any connection to the lower
partner in crime. In need of food Magwitch agreed. A good-
classes, including criminals and Joe's work as a blacksmith.
looking man, Compeyson had received a decent education and
Now Pip realizes with horror that a person from a class he has
dressed like a gentleman. Compeyson and a friend named
been desperately avoiding has actually caused him to become

Arthur had once made a pile of money by swindling a rich lady. The only way he sees of getting out is through Pip.
Compeyson lived a life of crime, assisted by Magwitch.

Eventually they were arrested. However, the jury became
biased against Magwitch because he looked and expressed
Chapters 43–44
himself like a rough, lower-class man while Compeyson looked
and expressed himself like a gentleman. Because Compeyson
denied any direct connection with the crime, the jury
Summary
sentenced Magwitch to 14 years and Compeyson to 7 years.
Outraged, Magwitch swore vengeance on Compeyson. On the
prison ship Magwitch managed to escape onto the marshes, Chapter 43
where he met Pip. However, when Magwitch learned that
Pip becomes concerned about Compeyson finding out that
Compeyson had also escaped, he tracked down Compeyson
Magwitch has returned. Also Pip realizes Estella has gone to
to prevent him from going free. At the end of Magwitch's talk,
Satis House without him, which is unusual. Pip makes
Herbert writes a note to Pip, stating, "Young Havisham's name
arrangements for Herbert to look after Magwitch and then
was Arthur. Compeyson is the man who professed to be Miss
takes a coach to his home village, where he plans to visit Satis
Havisham's lover." Pip nods.
House. At the Blue Boar Pip sees Drummle. Pip orders
breakfast and becomes annoyed at Drummle standing before
Analysis the fireplace, blocking the heat. Pip positions himself side by
side with Drummle. They both remain stubbornly standing
before the fire, even though Drummle's breakfast has been
The theme of uncertainty and deceit permeates Chapter 41.
cleared and Pip's breakfast has been brought. Drummle tells a
Pip and Herbert are uncertain how to deal with Magwitch.
servant that the lady won't go riding today, and he is to dine
Eventually they come up with a plan that involves Pip disguising
with the lady. Drummle's reference to the lady cuts Pip to the
Magwitch and sneaking him out of the country. Also Pip and
heart. Three farmers come toward the fireplace, forcing Pip
Herbert are uncertain about Magwitch's history. In a broader
and Drummle to relinquish their positions. Drummle gets on a
context Pip's entire life has been thrown into uncertainty. He
horse and rides away. Pip feels too "out of sorts" to eat much
thought he had his life figured out. Miss Havisham is his
breakfast and heads toward Satis House.
benefactress, and she wants him to marry Estella. However,
with the arrival of Magwitch, Pip's life becomes more unsettled
and confusing.
Chapter 44
In Chapter 42 Dickens emphasizes the theme of social class.
Pip visits Miss Havisham and Estella in the dressing room of
The author depicts the hard life of an orphan who grows up in
Satis House. Pip confronts Miss Havisham about letting him
poverty. Being put in jail became a way of life for Magwitch at
think she was his benefactress. Miss Havisham admits to doing
an early age. For Dickens, Magwitch becoming a criminal is a
this and becomes angry when Pip asks her if leading him on
direct result of being a deprived child growing up in a lower-
was kind. Pip says she also misled the Pockets, Georgiana, and
class environment. Middle-class people viewed young
the Camillas. Miss Havisham becomes defensive about this,
Magwitch as an outcast to be driven off or arrested. Later as
saying her relatives and Pip "made [their] own snares." Pip,
an adult, Magwitch joins Compeyson out of necessity.
though, claims that Mr. Pocket and Herbert are not self-
Magwitch is desperate for food, and Compeyson offers a way
seeking and therefore should not be lumped with her other
to get money.
relatives. Miss Havisham wonders what Pip wants her to do for
The relationship between the lower class and crime continues the two of them.
with Magwitch's trial. Because Magwitch is from the lower
Pip then declares his love for Estella, who seems unmoved and
class, he is viewed as a criminal, comes to accept life as a
reminds Pip that she warned him about not having a heart. Pip
criminal, and is given a harsh sentence, thereby confirming him
goes further, saying he suspects Miss Havisham wants Estella
as a criminal. Magwitch becomes caught within a vicious cycle.

to marry Drummle. Estella admits she is going to marry

Drummle but says Miss Havisham has nothing to do with the
Summary
decision. Appalled that Estella plans to marry such a brute, Pip
begs her to reconsider. Estella remains firm with her decision
and says Pip will forget about her in a week. Pip pours his heart
Chapter 45
out to Estella, saying, "Out of my thoughts! You are part of my
Pip goes to a hotel in Covent Garden, where he spends a
existence, part of myself." Miss Havisham seems to show some
restless night wondering why he should not go home and
pity and remorse as she looks at Pip and Estella. Devastated,
whether Magwitch is safe. The next day Pip goes to the Castle,
Pip leaves and heads directly back to London. At the entrance
where he finds Wemmick preparing breakfast for the Aged P.
to the Temple, the night porter gives Pip a note from Wemmick
Without naming names, Wemmick implies that a convict left
that tells Pip not to go home.
Australia and theories had been raised about where he went.
He also warns Pip he is being watched. Pip asks Wemmick if he
ever heard of Compeyson, if this person is alive, and if so, is he
Analysis living in London. Wemmick nods his head in response to each
question.
The theme of social class and ambition dominates both
Chapters 43 and 44. Pip confronts Drummle by standing next Without referring to Magwitch by name, Wemmick says
to him before the fireplace and refusing to budge. As rival Herbert decided to hide Magwitch in the house of his fiancée,
suitors of Estella's, both Pip and Drummle have the same Clara, which is in a secluded part of London. Wemmick
ambition of marrying her. Each rival looks at the boots of the suggests that Pip eventually board Magwitch on a foreign
other, as if to see whether the rival's boots are as good as his packet-boat. Wemmick gives Pip the address of Herbert's
own. This rivalry, therefore, is as much a competition of social fiancée and leaves for work.
status and appearance as a rivalry for Estella.
In Chapter 44 Dickens reveals how ambition takes different

Chapter 46
forms. Pip admits to Miss Havisham and Estella his romantic
ambition, namely his love for Estella. Indeed Pip holds nothing Pip finds Clara's house, where Herbert greets him. Herbert
back when he tells Estella, "You have been in every prospect I introduces Pip to Clara, a very pretty girl with a modest
have ever seen since—on the river, on the sails of ships, on the demeanor. She and Herbert seem smitten with each other.
marshes, in the clouds, in the light." Estella, though, has her Herbert takes Pip to Magwitch's room, where the former
own ambition. She has tired of her life and wants a change. As convict is comfortably lodged. Pip tells Magwitch he is under
a result she has decided to marry Drummle, even though Miss suspicion and being watched.
Havisham is against the marriage. So in a way Estella's surface
ambition disguises a deeper ambition, namely to take revenge Herbert relates a plan for getting Pip and Magwitch out of the
on Miss Havisham for her abusive upbringing of Estella. Also country. Pip could develop the routine of rowing a boat on the
Estella has another more perverse ambition, specifically to Thames. As Pip rows past Magwitch's hideaway, Magwitch
punish herself for being such a heartless person. Estella could lower the shade of his window as a signal that all is well.
believes she deserves Drummle's brutishness and so agrees to Eventually Pip could include Magwitch in the boat. People
marry him. Estella realizes Drummle deserves nothing better would be used to seeing Pip rowing and would not take note of
than a wife with no heart. Estella states, "Don't be afraid of my an extra passenger. Pip and Magwitch would wait in the
being a blessing to him [Drummle]. I shall not be that." rowboat for a foreign packet-boat to pick them up. Pip and
Magwitch agree to this plan. Pip goes back to his room in the
Temple. Soon he implements the routine of rowing, but he
Chapters 45–46 cannot get rid of the fear of being watched.

Drummle beats her. The possibility that Drummle might beat

Analysis Estella torments Pip. When the housekeeper, Molly, serves
food, Pip notices the similarity of her eyes and hands to the
In Chapters 45 and 46 Dickens conveys the theme of
eyes and hands of Estella. He realizes Molly is Estella's mother
uncertainty and deceit in a new way. Instead of uncertainty and
but says nothing about it. As Pip and Wemmick walk away from
deceit concerning Pip's relationship with Miss Havisham and
Jaggers's place, Pip asks him what he knows about Molly. Early
Estella, these concepts now apply to getting Magwitch out of
in his career Jaggers defended Molly on the charge of
the country. Pip is uncertain about why he should not go home,
murdering a woman out of jealousy. Using a clever defense
who might be watching him, and how to best deal with
Jaggers convinced the jury to acquit Molly. Since then she has
Magwitch. Once Pip and Herbert develop their plan to sneak
been his servant and acts like a tamed beast. Molly had a
Magwitch onto a foreign packet-boat, they are using deceit to
daughter, who disappeared.
resolve uncertainty. In contrast Miss Havisham used deceit to
keep Pip ignorant of her true plans for Estella, thereby
enhancing his uncertainty.
Analysis
In Chapters 47 and 48 Dickens continues to focus on the
Chapters 47–48 theme of uncertainty and deceit. Mr. Wopsle shows confusion
and uncertainty when he tells Pip that a man was seated
behind him during the play. Pip realizes that the man is
Summary Compeyson, which fills Pip with dread about being followed by
this man. Pip and Herbert realize they can do nothing about
Compeyson and so remain in a state of anxious uncertainty.
Chapter 47
Later Pip's uncertainty about how Estella came to be adopted
Pip avoids reading the newspaper because he doesn't want to by Miss Havisham is partially clarified. While eating dinner with
learn that Estella has married Drummle. He remains anxious Mr. Jaggers, Pip realizes that Molly is Estella's mother.
about Magwitch but can do nothing about this except continue Wemmick confirms this when he tells Pip that Molly had a
to row his boat at regular intervals. After a rowing excursion daughter who disappeared. Because Mr. Jaggers defended
Pip attends a play in which Mr. Wopsle is an actor. When the Molly and is also the lawyer for Miss Havisham, he must have
play is over, Wopsle meets Pip and admits seeing him during arranged for the daughter to be adopted by the recluse.
the performance. Wopsle also saw another person seated However, why Jaggers placed a little girl under the influence of
behind Pip, who looked like the convict on the marshes with the demented Miss Havisham is not explained.
the bruised left cheek. Pip feels terror about Compeyson
Also Dickens shows how uncertainty and deceit applies to Mr.
shadowing him. Pip leaves Mr. Wopsle, goes home, and tells
Jaggers. On the surface Jaggers appears to be a lawyer who
Herbert the frightening news. Pip and Herbert agree that they
does everything by the book and does not tolerate any
can do nothing about Compeyson except to tell Wemmick
breaking of the law. However, in a way, Jaggers is also
about him and to be especially cautious.
susceptible to corruption. For his own reasons Jaggers
decides to defend Molly even though he knows she is guilty. So
Chapter 48 Jaggers deceives the court to get Molly acquitted. For
instance, Jaggers made sure "this woman [Molly] was so very
Mr. Jaggers meets Pip as he walks home and invites him to artfully dressed from the time of her apprehension, that she
dinner. Wemmick has also been invited. At the dinner Wemmick looked much slighter than she really was." In other words
gives Pip a note from Miss Havisham, which asks Pip to see Jaggers made Molly look as if she was not strong enough to
her. Then Jaggers says that Drummle has "won the pool." Pip commit the murder.
realizes Jaggers is referring to Drummle's marriage to Estella.
Jaggers says he's not sure who will win with this marriage.
Because Estella is more intelligent, she will win unless

she at first wanted to love Estella, and for Pip to forgive her.
Chapters 49–50
Chapter 50
Summary
Herbert carefully changes the bandages on Pip's burned hands
and arms. While doing this Herbert explains that Magwitch had
Chapter 49 relations with a woman who ended up murdering another

woman in a jealous rage. Then Magwitch's woman threatened
Pip goes to Satis House and visits Miss Havisham in the room to destroy their child. Magwitch loved this child. Therefore,
with the decaying wedding cake. Miss Havisham asks Pip to during the trial Magwitch kept a low profile for fear he would
explain how she could complete an act he had started to help be called to testify and, as a result, cause his child to be
Herbert. Pip notices that Miss Havisham regards him with fear. destroyed. Jaggers got the woman acquitted. Soon afterward
Pip explains how she can anonymously assist Herbert. Miss the woman and child disappeared. After Herbert relates this
Havisham tells Pip to regard his request as being completed story, Pip tells him that Magwitch is Estella's father.
and asks if she can do anything more directly to help him. Pip
says he wants nothing more. Miss Havisham writes on a tablet
directions for Jaggers to provide the necessary funds to Analysis
complete Herbert's business arrangements.
In Chapter 49 Dickens develops the theme of guilt and
Miss Havisham asks Pip, "If you can ever write under my name, redemption through Miss Havisham and Pip. As mentioned
'I forgive her,' though ever so long after my broken heart is earlier, Miss Havisham realizes that she has been entrapped by
dust—pray do it!" Pip says he can do it now. Miss Havisham her creations—Estella and Satis House. Miss Havisham
falls to her knees before Pip and raises her folded hands to planned to raise young Estella with love, but the recluse's bitter
him. She then slumps to the floor, crying in despair, "What have anger poisoned the child, causing her to become unloving like
I done! What have I done!" Pip assures Miss Havisham that he her adopted mother. Because of her cold attitude, Estella has
would have fallen in love with Estella under any circumstances. broken Miss Havisham's heart again. This pain makes Miss
However, he says if she could somehow undo some of the Havisham realize the folly of her actions. She has not
harm she has done to Estella to please do so. Consumed by protected herself, and, what is worse, she has not protected
remorse, Miss Havisham explains that she at first wanted to Estella from pain and sorrow. Instead, because of Miss
save Estella from having her heart broken and nothing more. Havisham's influence, Estella has married the brute Drummle,
However, as Estella became more beautiful, Miss Havisham who will give her years of unhappiness. Also Miss Havisham
"stole her heart away and put ice in its place." Miss Havisham realizes she has broken Pip's heart. Consumed by guilt for her
has no idea who Estella's natural parents are. She told Jaggers actions, Miss Havisham seeks redemption by asking Pip for
she wanted a child to raise and love, and the lawyer gave her a forgiveness.
two- or three-year-old child named Estella. For Pip this
information verifies that Molly is Estella's mother. For his part Pip does a redemptive act through his willingness
to forgive Miss Havisham. Despite the pain Miss Havisham has
Pip takes a walk around the garden and brewery, remembering caused him, Pip becomes vulnerable again by showing
the times he spent with Estella. When he returns to the large kindness to her. However, burdened by years of bitterness and
room, he sees a burst of flame where Miss Havisham sits. Then hatred, Miss Havisham has difficulty accepting his forgiveness.
the woman rushes toward Pip with her dress on fire. Using his She remains brooding over the fire, entrapped by the bitter
coat Pip puts out the flames. The doctor arrives and lays Miss chains she created. As a symbol representing death, Satis
Havisham on the long table at the spot where she said she House fittingly leads directly to Miss Havisham's dress
would lie when dead. The doctor asserts that shock has done catching on fire and her eventual death. Flames from the
more harm to Miss Havisham than the flames. Then Pip notices fireplace most likely caught on her dress.
that his own hands have been burned. As she lies on the table,
Miss Havisham keeps lamenting over what she has done, how

ask their friend Startop to row, without telling him any details
Chapters 51–52 about their mission. Startop happily agrees.
Pip receives another note, telling him to come alone to the

Summary "little-sluice house" by the limekiln on the marshes if he wants
information about Magwitch. Perplexed by the mysterious
note, Pip decides to comply with its instructions, fearing that if
Chapter 51 he doesn't he might bring harm to Magwitch. Pip goes to his

home village and stays at an inn. While there he learns that
Pip, with his arm in a sling, goes to Mr. Jaggers's office and Pumblechook has once again falsely claimed credit for making
interrupts Jaggers and Wemmick as they are checking off Pip rich.
vouchers. Pip tells them about the tragic accident at Satis
House, in which Miss Havisham and he were burned. Then Pip
hands Jaggers the tablets, which convey Miss Havisham's Analysis
instructions about paying 900 pounds to help Herbert in his
business. Jaggers writes out the check. After this Pip reveals In Chapters 51 and 52 Dickens presents the theme of guilt and
that he knows the identity of Estella's parents. Because redemption. Pip completes his redemptive act of securing
Jaggers himself does not know who Estella's father is, this Herbert a partnership in business. At the end of Chapter 52,
news gives him a start. Then Pip explains how he learned this Pip also compares Pumblechook's attempt to falsely gain
information without mentioning Wemmick's involvement in the credit for Pip receiving a fortune to Joe's loving, long-suffering
matter. behavior toward Pip. This comparison makes Pip feel guilty
because he has not given Joe the thanks and praise he
Pip asks Jaggers to explain how Estella came to be adopted deserves. In contrast Pumblechook receives praise from
by Miss Havisham. Jaggers explains that he knew a woman villagers for making Pip rich, which the seed merchant does not
charged with murder who had a child and also knew that Miss deserve.
Havisham wanted to adopt a daughter. Jaggers told the
woman he would try to get her acquitted only if she offered her Dickens suggests how the theme of guilt and redemption
daughter up for adoption. Jaggers did this, having seen applies to Jaggers. As has been seen throughout the novel,
hundreds of poor children raised in harsh conditions that made Jaggers is a shrewd, controlling man who deals harshly with his
it more likely they would lead difficult lives and become clients. Even so, Jaggers is not cruel, and, in this way, he differs
criminals. The woman agreed to the terms, and Jaggers got from Miss Havisham. He can still take pity on people, as is
her acquitted. Jaggers asks Pip what purpose would it serve to shown through his attempt to provide for the little girl. Jaggers
tell Estella's mother and father about their child. Also Jaggers knows his solution is far from perfect—Miss Havishman is a
wonders how Estella would benefit by knowing the identity of strange caretaker for Estella. But he at least attempts to help
her parents. Indeed such news would bring her disgrace. Pip the girl. Perhaps through this act Jaggers attempts to redeem
agrees with Jaggers. himself for all the clients he dealt with in a heartless manner.
These chapters also deal with the theme of uncertainty and

deceit. The uncertainty about how Estella came to be adopted
Chapter 52
is clarified. However, Pip becomes uncertain when he reads
Pip gives the check for 900 pounds to Herbert's boss, thereby the mysterious note telling him to come to the marshes. As he
securing Herbert as a partner in his business. The month of takes the coach toward the marshes, Pip debates whether he
March arrives. Pip's right arm and hand have healed should heed an anonymous message. Pip is also faced with
considerably, but his left arm remains in a sling. Herbert and Pumblechook's deceit as he takes false credit for Pip's change
Pip receive a note from Wemmick, suggesting that Pip should of fortune.
leave with Magwitch via a foreign packet-boat the following
Wednesday. Because of Pip's injury, he is unable to help row
the rowboat to meet the packet. As a result Herbert and Pip

Compeyson. Clutched in each other's arms, Magwitch and

Chapters 53–54 Compeyson fall overboard. The packet steamer continues on.
Then Magwitch swims toward the galley and is taken on board.
Compeyson has drowned. Magwitch is immediately "manacled
Summary at the wrists and ankles." He has been seriously injured by the
paddles of the steamer. Pip knows that Magwitch will not be
treated leniently by a jury.
Chapter 53
Pip heads onto the marshes to the limekiln, where he sees the Analysis
old sluice-house. Pip knocks at the door but doesn't hear a
response. He enters and is attacked from behind by Orlick, In Chapters 53 and 54 Dickens interrelates the theme of social
who binds Pip with a rope to a ladder. Intoxicated, Orlick class and ambition and the theme of uncertainty and deceit.
triumphantly claims, "I've got you." With the rope pressing However, the author does so in distinctly different ways in
painfully into his wounded arm, Pip asks why Orlick has each chapter. In Chapter 53 Pip is uncertain about why
attacked him. Orlick explains he is getting back at Pip for someone wants him to come to the limekilns on the marshes.
getting him fired from his position at Miss Havisham's and for When he is accosted and bound by Orlick, Pip becomes
coming between him and Biddy. Orlick declares he is going to uncertain whether he will live. Orlick has been harboring a
kill Pip by knocking him unconscious and sticking him in the grudge against Pip for causing the loss of his job. Since then
limekiln. Orlick goes on to say he has learned about Pip trying Orlick claims he's had a hard time earning an easy living and,
to get Magwitch out of the country. Orlick lifts up a stone because of this, he has taken up with criminals. Therefore
hammer. Suddenly several people attack Orlick, causing him to Orlick feels Pip has forced him from being a working-class man
flee. Herbert, Startop, and Trabb's boy have come to the to be a lower-class criminal. Now, embittered by his drop in
rescue. Pip had accidentally left Orlick's note at his residence, status, Orlick's main ambition in life is to kill Pip.
and Herbert read it. Alarmed, he and Startop went to Pip's
village and, with the help of Trabb's boy, tracked Pip down. In contrast in Chapter 54, Pip is uncertain what will happen to
Herbert and Startop take Pip back to London, where Pip him after he and Magwitch leave the country. He becomes
recovers from his ordeal. uncertain about whether he and his friends are being watched
as they row down the Thames. Eventually Pip's ambition of
getting Magwitch safely out of England fails, and Magwitch is
Chapter 54 arrested. However, during the process, Pip reveals that he no
longer views Magwitch with distaste and fear but instead feels
Pip, Herbert, and Startop board their rowboat and, with Herbert affection for him. Therefore the barrier between the upper-
and Startop rowing and Pip guiding the rudder, head toward class gentleman (Pip) and the lower-class former convict
Clara's house. When they arrive Magwitch boards the rowboat. (Magwitch) has been dissolved by love. After the arrest Pip's
Magwitch expresses his gratitude to Pip for seeing him out of main ambition changes to staying with Magwitch for the rest of
the country. The four of them head down the Thames out of his life. Pip says, "I will never stir from your side, ... when I am
London to a remote public house. There they eat dinner and suffered to be near you. Please God, I will be as true to you as
stay the night. The next morning Pip and his three friends get you have been to me!" In this way Dickens reinforces the
in their rowboat and head out into the track of the expected theme of Pip's redemption.
foreign packet-boat. As the packet powered by steam
approaches, a four-oared galley shoots into the packet's track.
The galley approaches alongside Pip's boat, and an officer in Chapters 55–56
the galley orders a returned Transport (convict) to be handed
over. Meanwhile the packet steamer has reached the galley
and Pip's boat and, to avoid hitting them, stops its paddles. The
officer grabs Magwitch, who lunges at a person with a cloaked
face in the galley. Magwitch pulls the cloak away, revealing

tells him that his daughter lives and is a beautiful lady. Also Pip
Summary says he loves Magwitch's daughter. Unable to talk, Magwitch
kisses Pip's hand and then dies.
Chapter 55
Pip tells Mr. Jaggers not to let Magwitch know that his fortune
Analysis
will not be inherited by Pip but instead will be forfeited to the
Dickens develops the theme of social class in Chapters 55 and
government. Because Pip has no legal tie to Magwitch, the
56. In Chapter 55 the author explores social dynamics. For
young man can make no claim to Magwitch's funds and
example, Herbert has a difficult time asking whether Pip might
property. At Pip's residence Herbert informs Pip about having
take a job as a clerk in the Cairo office. Bringing up this subject
to leave soon for Cairo on business. Then Herbert asks if Pip
is touchy because Herbert is asking Pip, a former upper-class
would consider taking a position as a clerk at the Cairo office
gentleman, to take a middle-class job. Even though this job has
with the possibility of one day becoming a partner. Pip thanks
a higher pay scale and status than Pip's work as a blacksmith's
Herbert for the offer and says he will consider it.
apprentice, Herbert still feels uneasy about offering the
Near his residence Pip encounters Wemmick, who asks Pip to position. However, Pip shows no pride and says he will
accompany him on a walk next Monday morning. Pip obliges. consider the offer. The author also places a final emphasis on
When Pip arrives at the Castle, he meets Wemmick and they Wemmick's determination to keep his private life separate from
go for a walk, with Wemmick carrying a fishing rod. Pip views his work life. Wemmick concocts a charade that makes his
this as odd because they are not going fishing, but he says wedding party seem like a fishing excursion to keep his
nothing. As if by chance Wemmick and Pip make their way to a marriage a secret from Jaggers.
church and go inside. There Wemmick puts down the fishing
In Chapter 56 Dickens shows the theme of social class
rod and puts on a pair of white gloves. Pip then notices the
through the pathetic, lower-class prisoners, including
Aged P. leading Miss Skiffins, also wearing white gloves, to the
Magwitch, in the dock waiting to hear their verdicts. Pip says,
altar. Wemmick and Miss Skiffins get married with Pip serving
"They were all formally doomed, and some of them were
as best man. After the ceremony Wemmick removes his white
supported out, and some of them sauntered out with a
gloves and Miss Skiffins removes hers and puts on her green
haggard look of bravery." By grouping Magwitch with these
gloves. On the way out of the church, Wemmick picks up the
prisoners, Dickens invites the reader to wonder how many of
fishing rod and tells Pip, "Let me ask you whether anybody
them grew up in harsh social conditions like Magwitch.
would suppose this to be a wedding party!" After breakfast
Wemmick asks Pip not to let Jaggers know about the marriage. Chapters 55 and 56 both convey the theme of redemption
Pip agrees. through Pip's relationship with Magwitch. Dickens inserts the
theme of deceit with Pip's redemption. Out of kindness Pip
decides not to tell Magwitch the truth about his money and
Chapter 56 property being forfeited to the government instead of being
inherited by him. However, Pip's redemption comes mainly
A very ill Magwitch is moved from the prison to the infirmary,
through love. Pip has come to love Magwitch and so stays by
where he awaits his trial. Pip visits him on a regular basis and
the convicted man's side, despite any class differences
sees Magwitch becoming "slowly weaker and worse." During
between the two. Pip culminates this love by telling Magwitch
the trial Magwitch sits at the front of the dock, and Pip sits
his daughter lives. Then Pip adds, "And I love her!"
near him outside the dock and holds his hand. Magwitch is
found guilty and sentenced to death. Pip writes petitions to
officials asking for a reprieve, but he expects none. Pip makes
daily visits to Magwitch in the infirmary, where the convicted
Chapters 57–58
man waits for his execution. Magwitch's health continues to
decline. Even so he expresses his gratitude to Pip for staying
by him. One day, sensing that Magwitch is about to die, Pip

Pip heads for Joe's forge with the noble intention of asking
Summary Biddy to marry him. However, he soon notices that the forge is
closed and the entrance to Joe's house is decorated with
flowers. Then Joe and Biddy appear arm in arm and are
Chapter 57 ecstatic to see Pip. Joe and Biddy have just been married. Pip
is delighted by this news and relieved that he didn't tell Joe
Pip reveals he has accrued large debts. Also Pip becomes so ill
about his intention to marry Biddy. Pip wishes the couple well
that he is unable to leave his bed. Officials visit him there and
and asks for their forgiveness concerning the way he treated
inform Pip that he is being arrested because of his debts.
them. Joe says there is no cause to offer forgiveness but does
However, realizing that Pip cannot be moved, they delay
so anyway. Biddy does the same. Pip eats a meal with his two
arresting him. Pip falls into a feverish delirium, during which he
friends and then says goodbye. Pip sells all his belongings and
often sees the face of Joe. Pip then gains enough
uses the proceeds to pay back the money Joe supplied for
consciousness to realize that Joe has indeed been nursing him
Pip's debts.
during his illness. Overwhelmed by guilt, Pip asks Joe not to be
so good to him. Joe seems overjoyed that Pip's fever has Pip goes to work for Herbert's company, Clarriker and Co.
broken. Joe continues to nurse Pip as he gradually gains Soon Clara's father dies, allowing Clara and Herbert to marry.
strength. After many years Pip becomes a third partner at Clarriker.
Eventually the senior partner tells Herbert about Pip's role in
During Pip's recovery Joe informs Pip of Miss Havisham's
securing Herbert's partnership. This news amazes and moves
death. The recluse left most of her wealth to Estella but also
Herbert. The three partners of Clarriker and Co. have
left 4,000 pounds to Mr. Matthew Pocket. Pip is pleased to
moderate success with their business.
hear this. Then Joe relates how Orlick and some of his friends
broke into Pumblechook's shop and harassed the seed
merchant. Orlick has been arrested.
Analysis
As Pip becomes stronger, he notices Joe becoming uneasy
with him. At times Joe even refers to Pip as "sir." Pip has In Chapters 57 and 58 the theme of guilt and redemption take
refrained from telling Joe about his debts and how he no center stage. Pip feels guilty when he realizes Joe has been
longer has a fortune. He resolves to reveal all to Joe. However, nursing him. After the way he has treated Joe, Pip doesn't feel
the next morning Pip sees a note from Joe stating that he he deserves Joe's kindness. Pip exclaims to Joe, "Tell me of my
doesn't want to intrude on Pip now that his friend is well. Pip ingratitude. Don't be so good to me!" Later as Pip grows
sees a receipt for his debts and realizes that Joe has paid stronger, he senses that Joe is less easy with him and realizes
them. Pip decides to go to Joe's forge, where he will apologize the cause. After Pip came into his expectations he treated Joe
to Joe for the way he has treated him. Then Pip plans to ask as someone to be ashamed of. Because of this, Pip now feels
Biddy to marry him. ashamed of his actions.
In an attempt to redeem himself, Pip plans to marry Biddy. Still

affected by a sense of superiority about being a gentleman, Pip
Chapter 58
assumes that Biddy, being from a lower class, would be
Pip goes to his hometown and stays at the Blue Boar, where overjoyed to accept Pip's proposal. However, when Pip arrives
the employees have heard of Pip's reversal of fortune. The at Joe's forge, he realizes that Joe and Biddy have just gotten
next morning Pip walks to Satis House and learns that the married. Pip apparently faints from the shock of this realization.
building and its furniture are to be auctioned. Pip eats After recovering his wits, Pip gains redemption by being
breakfast at the Blue Boar with Pumblechook hovering nearby emotionally honest with Joe and Biddy and asking them for
and showing false sympathy for Pip's financial decline. Unable their forgiveness. After this Pip attains a different type of
to take any more, Pip shows how annoyed he is at redemption by working hard at his job for Clarriker and Co. Pip
Pumblechook's attitude. As a result Pumblechook accuses Pip gains self-respect by earning his money instead of having it
of being ungrateful about Pumblechook's role in securing Pip's given to him. Also he forms an even stronger bond with Herbert
fortune. and his wife, Clara.

Dickens conveys the theme of social class and ambition by the ruined place. Pip says, "I saw no shadow of another parting
showing how Pumblechook and the people at the Blue Boar from her."
treat Pip differently when they learn of his financial decline.
The author shows that Pumblechook's and the Blue Boar's high The following summarizes Dickens's original ending, which
regard for Pip was based solely on their personal ambition of is generally unpublished:
gaining something from him. When his fortunes decline, their

Two years after Pip visits Joe and Biddy, Pip walks with little
attitude toward Pip makes an about-face. They now treat Pip
Pip in London. Pip has heard that Drummle had abused Estella.
coldly and with disdain. Thus for Dickens, many members of
After Drummle dies from an accident with a horse he treated
the middle class put on airs to curry favor with the upper class.
badly, Estella married the doctor who treated Drummle. The
However, some members of the middle class, such as Joe and
doctor had previously witnessed Drummle's abuse of his wife
Biddy, remain constant and true to themselves, even when
and tried to stop it. Pip and little Pip accidentally meet Estella,
dealing with a person from the upper class.
who is driving a pony carriage. Pip and Estella exchange sad
looks and shake hands. Estella says she has changed and,
mistaking the child for his son, asks to kiss little Pip. Pip lifts
Chapter 59 the boy to her, and she kisses him. Later Pip feels glad he had
this chance meeting with Estella because he could tell from her
voice and touch that "suffering had been stronger than Miss
Summary Havisham's teaching, and had given her a heart to understand
what my heart used to be."
Chapter 59 begins with Pip, after working 11 years for
Clarriker's, visiting Joe and Biddy at their home. There Pip
meets little Pip, Joe and Biddy's son. Joe says he and his wife Analysis
hope that little Pip will grow up to be like the adult Pip. Pip
takes little Pip on a walk to the cemetery on the marsh. Later In the revised ending for Chapter 59, Dickens interrelates the
Pip talks with Biddy with her little girl on her lap. Biddy tells Pip theme of guilt and redemption, the theme of social class and
that he must marry. Pip doubts if he will. ambition, the symbol of Satis House, and the symbol of tears.
Estella and Pip walk among the ruins of Satis House. This
A friend convinced Dickens to replace his original ending symbol of death has been destroyed and "some of the old ivy
with the following ending, which is summarized here: had struck root anew." Such imagery provides hope that Pip
and Estella's relationship will be redeemed by being renewed.
Pip confesses to Biddy that he has not forgotten Estella, but
Also Pip notices Estella's "friendly touch of the once insensible
his dream of marrying her "has all gone by." Pip has heard that
hand." This detail suggests that Estella's haughty view of Pip as
Drummle had abused Estella. Two years earlier Drummle died
a common person is gone, and she now relates to Pip as an
from an accident with a horse he treated badly. Pip walks to
equal and friend no matter his social status. Her ambition to
Satis House and finds that the buildings have been torn down
break men's hearts has crumbled like Satis House.
and all that remains is the old garden wall. In the evening mist,
Pip sees a figure walking through the former garden. As he Estella cries when she reflects on her life at Satis House.
approaches he realizes the figure is Estella. They greet each Dickens thus uses the symbol of tears to represent Estella's
other. Estella says she has never been here since she left to sadness and perhaps as a sign that she is renewing herself.
get married. Pip hasn't returned either until now. Tears drop Earlier Pip claims that tears shed can have benevolent and
from Estella's eyes. Estella explains that the ground they now clarifying effect on a person's soul. Finally Estella asks for Pip's
walk on is the only possession she has left. Pip says he works forgiveness, thereby showing remorse and the hope of
hard and earns a sufficient living. Estella admits she has lately redemption. Pip's romantic ambition concerning Estella has
often thought of Pip and has given him a place in her heart. Pip been tempered with suffering but still remains. They hold
replies that Estella has always had a place in his heart. Estella hands with the hope of never parting again.
asks for Pip's forgiveness and hopes they can be friends. Pip
says, "We are friends." Pip takes Estella's hand and they leave In the original ending for Chapter 59, Dickens does not use the

Great Expectations Study Guide Quotes 45
symbols of Satis House and tears. However, the author still

and live well and die happy."
develops the theme of social class and ambition and the theme
of guilt and redemption. Estella has obviously been changed by
— Joe Gargery, Chapter 9
her marriage to Drummle. She has married a doctor who is kind
but not rich. By doing this she shows a new value for love and a
disregard for social status. Also Pip senses that Estella's Joe Gargery follows a simple but wise principle: a person
suffering has opened her heart to love and vulnerability. She cannot become exceptional by telling lies. The act of lying
has come to understand what Pip's heart used to be. In contradicts being exceptional. Because Joe lives by this
addition when Estella shakes Pip's hand, her touch conveys principle, he is an exceptional person, a man of integrity.
affection. Pip suggests her touch indicates a loving,
understanding heart. All of these elements imply that Estella
now disregards social class and ambition and has attained a "Further, that it is the desire of the
type of redemption. Pip's great expectations of wealth and
marrying Estella have disappeared, but in their place he has present possessor of that
gained a more mature and compassionate heart.
property, that he be immediately
removed from his present sphere
g Quotes of life and from this place, and be
brought up as a gentleman—in a
"My sister's bringing up had made word, as a young fellow of great
me sensitive. In the little world in expectations."
which children have their
— Mr. Jaggers, Chapter 18
existence, whosoever brings them
up, there is nothing so finely Mr. Jaggers conveys one of the main plot points of the novel.
perceived and so finely felt, as Pip's dreams of becoming a gentleman have now become a
reality.
injustice."
— Pip, Chapter 8 "We changed again, and yet again,

and it was now too late and too far
This quotation shows how Mrs. Joe's unfair treatment of Pip
strongly affects the formation of Pip's character. Pip becomes to go back, and I went on. And the
sensitive to unfair treatment, such as by Estella and Miss
mists had all solemnly risen now,
Havisham, and wants to change this by becoming an
"oncommon" person in the eyes of society. and the world lay spread before
me."
"If you can't get to be oncommon
— Pip, Chapter 19
through going straight, you'll never
get to do it through going crooked. Although this quotation literally deals with changing coaches, it
can also be read as a metaphor for the changes in a person's
So don't tell no more on 'em, Pip, life. Pip's attitude toward Joe and his home village has changed

Great Expectations Study Guide Quotes 46
and, because of this, Pip feels he must move forward with this — Estella, Chapter 38
change to what lies ahead of him, instead of going back.
Estella matter-of-factly absolves herself of all responsibility for

her actions and places the blame on Miss Havisham. Estella
"I loved her against reason, against has become the puppet of the puppet master, Miss Havisham.
It is the puppet master who must take responsibility for the
promise, against peace, against
puppet's actions.
hope, against happiness, against
all discouragement that could be."
"Take nothing on its looks; take
— Pip, Chapter 29 everything on evidence. There's no
better rule."
Pip conveys his obsessive love for Estella. Even though Pip is
aware that this love makes him miserable and is probably futile,
— Mr. Jaggers, Chapter 40
he still cannot prevent himself from loving Estella.
Mr. Jaggers conveys the basic principle on which he bases his

life. For Jaggers, facts and evidence should be emphasized. As
"Love her, love her, love her! If she
a result he often cross-examines people to make them convey
favors you, love her. If she wounds the basic facts of a situation, without any ambiguity. In contrast
Pip often ignores hard facts and jumps to too many
you, love her. If she tears your
conclusions.
heart to pieces—and as it gets
older and stronger, it will tear
"So fur as I could find, there warn't
deeper—love her, love her, love
a soul that see young Abel
her!"
Magwitch, with us little on him as
— Miss Havisham, Chapter 29 in him, but wot caught fright at
him, and either drove him off, or
Miss Havisham expresses her obsession of having Estella
break men's hearts. Miss Havisham knows what Pip is feeling;
took him up. I was took up, took
she felt this herself. However, in her bitterness, Miss Havisham up, took up, to that extent that I
wants to inflict her pain on Pip by having him go through the
same torment she suffered. reg'larly grow'd up took up."
— Magwitch, Chapter 42
"I must be taken as I have been
This passage reveals that Magwitch became a criminal
made. The success is not mine,
because of the situation he grew up in. The term took up refers
the failure is not mine, but the two to being arrested. So as a child Magwitch was constantly
arrested, thereby branding him a criminal at an early age.
together make me."

Great Expectations Study Guide Symbols 47
in Satis House. The clocks are all stopped at the same time.
"[S]uffering has been stronger
The furniture remains in the same position without being
than all other teaching, and has dusted for years. The wedding cake remains on the table,
covered by cobwebs. In this house Miss Havisham follows the
taught me to understand what
same routines, year after year. With Satis House, Miss
your heart used to be. I have been Havisham has created her own mausoleum that will house her
corpse. Satis is Latin for "enough." The title could be ironic.
bent and broken, but—I hope—into Estella suggests the term Satis implies that a person who owns
a better shape." this house has enough of everything. However, Miss
Havisham's life is totally barren. She is a person who feels the
pain of not having enough love. Indeed she does not have
— Estella, Chapter 59
enough of anything, except money and bitterness, which prove
to be inadequate. Also, Satis resembles the word static.
Estella expresses how the hardships of her life taught her to
sympathize with the sufferings of others, such as Pip. Because
of this she has become a better person. The same could be
said for Pip. Money
l Symbols
Money, for Dickens, has a dual meaning. Money represents the
value that society places on someone. When Miss Havisham
pays Joe 25 pounds for Pip's services, she is using money to
place a value on Pip. Also when the shopkeepers find out that
Tears Pip has come into money, their estimation of Pip soars.
The author also uses money to represent power or control

over people. For example, Miss Havisham uses money to make
Dickens uses tears to represent passionate emotions, Estella do exactly what the recluse wants in London. Estella
including gratefulness, love, and shame. However, all tells Pip, "This is my purse, and you are to pay my charges out
expressed tears have a benevolent, clarifying effect. Pip of it ... We are not free to follow our own devices, you and I."
states, "I was better after I had cried, than before—more sorry, Also Magwitch uses money to control Pip and make him into
more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle." After Pip what Magwitch wants, namely a gentleman. Magwitch tells Pip,
cries tears of shame from Estella's insults, he is able to "Yes, Pip, dear boy, I've made a gentleman on you! It's me wot
continue his daily life. When Pip cries tears of remorse about has done it!" Miss Havisham's and Magwitch's use of money to
his treatment of Joe, he can more fully sense how wrongly he control people backfires however. Estella becomes cold
treated his friend. The only tears that do not have a positive toward Miss Havisham. Pip becomes miserable as a gentleman
effect are the crocodile tears shed by Mrs. Camilla, because but doesn't tell this to Magwitch. Pip states, "O, that he
they represent false emotions. [Magwitch] had never come! That he had left me at the
forge—far from contented, yet, by comparison, happy!"
Satis House
m Themes
For Dickens, Satis House represents a lack of growth or death.
Miss Havisham's hateful and bitter attitude creates a structure
in which time seems to stand still. Nothing significant changes

Great Expectations Study Guide Themes 48
Miss Havisham, her ambition is to have Estella break the hearts

Social Class and Ambition of men.
Dickens conveys the theme of social class and ambition

throughout Great Expectations. Indeed the novel could be seen Guilt and Redemption
as an exploration of social class in Victorian England, from the
lower class to the upper class. Members of the lower and
middle classes often have the ambition to rise to a higher class. Dickens shows the theme of guilt and redemption mainly
In contrast members of the upper class want to maintain their through the characters of Pip and Miss Havisham. Although Pip
superiority and use it control other people for their own ends. wants to be a gentleman, he is plagued by guilt as he becomes
one. This guilt starts soon after Pip learns that he will be
Magwitch is the main representative of the lower class. He was
educated as a gentleman. Pip starts to view himself as superior
born in poverty and, because of these circumstances, fell into
to the people in the village and even becomes ashamed of Joe.
criminality. As Dickens shows, some lower-class people
As a result, Pip, dressed in a nice suit, doesn't want Joe,
become caught in a trap of poverty that makes it difficult for
dressed as a common laborer, to accompany him on his way to
them to improve their lives. In fact, when Magwitch is given half
the carriage. Later Pip acts awkwardly and impatiently toward
a chance to better himself in Australia, he does so with great
Joe in London. Pip rarely writes to Joe and Biddy, even though
success. Magwitch realizes he will never become a gentleman,
he promises to do so. Even though these actions cause Pip to
but he has ambitions to make Pip a gentleman and thereby
feel intense guilt, he does not change the way he treats Joe.
attain upper-class status.
Pip resolves the problem of his guilt through redemption.
The main representative of the working class is Pip. Because
However, he can attain redemption only when his dream of
of the influence of the upper-class Miss Havisham, Pip comes
marrying Estella and gaining Miss Havisham's approval
to view being a blacksmith as inferior work and has the
crumbles. This process begins when Pip learns that Magwitch,
ambition to become a gentleman. By doing this he hopes to
not Miss Havisham, is his benefactor. Pip comes to realize the
receive the approval of Miss Havisham and Estella and thereby
sham of his existence as he adopts a dandyish lifestyle based
validate himself as a human being. However as Pip is educated
on having a superior attitude to the lower classes and doing
as a gentleman, he becomes a dandy, who focuses on having a
pleasurable leisure activities while accomplishing nothing of
refined appearance and doing leisure activities instead of
worth. Soon he starts to do redemptive acts, such as helping
accomplishing something worthwhile. Mrs. Joe is also an
Herbert get started in business and being a loving surrogate
example of a working-class person who has ambitions to rise
son to Magwitch. Eventually Pip realizes he can gain self-worth
in status. Even the brutish Orlick shows sensitivity concerning
not by becoming a gentleman but rather by working for it. As a
class by his resentment about being demoted to the lower
result he works for many years in Herbert's business.
class. The only main working-class character who doesn't have
ambitions is Joe. Also Biddy, who is a member of the lower- For most of the novel Miss Havisham shows no signs of guilt.
middle class, has no desire to rise in status. The main However, she begins to feel regret when Estella acts coldly
representative of the middle class who strives to improve his toward her. Miss Havisham realizes that she has trained Estella
social standing is Pumblechook. to break not only the hearts of men but also her own heart.
Miss Havisham cares for Estella. As a result she doesn't want
Miss Havisham shows many traits of the upper class. She is a
Estella to marry Drummle. However, because of the recluse's
proud woman who views herself as being superior to most
influence, Estella marries this brutish man knowing she will
people, and she cannot bear being humiliated by her lover. As a
face years of pain and abuse. Miss Havisham and Estella have
result she becomes a recluse and exerts her control over the
also caused great pain for Pip. Miss Havisham comes to realize
people in her sphere, especially Estella. Miss Havisham's
the horror of what she has done. Because of this she asks for
control is backed by her money. When Estella arrives in
Pip's forgiveness. However, consumed by feelings of guilt, Miss
London, she makes a point to tell Pip that Miss Havisham is
Havisham is unable to grasp the solution; namely, redemption
paying for Estella to do exactly what the recluse wants. For

Great Expectations Study Guide Suggested Reading 49
through accepting Pip's forgiveness.
Uncertainty and Deceit
The theme of uncertainty and deceit infuses most of Great

Expectations. Dickens starts the novel with Pip uncertain about
what his parents look like. Pip continues to feel uncertainty
about the convicts. This uncertainty leads to his deceitful act
of stealing food and a file. Pip's uncertainty about his
benefactor is in part caused by Miss Havisham's deceit. She
makes Pip believe that she is his benefactress. Also Dickens
often combines uncertainty with deceit in the same event. For
example, Pip becomes involved in the deceitful act of trying to
sneak Magwitch out of the country while feeling uncertain
whether Compeyson is following him.
In addition Dickens shows how removing deceit can also

eliminate uncertainty. For instance, Pip feels uncertain about
the identity of Molly, Mr. Jaggers's housekeeper. Pip becomes
surer of her identity as he learns about Mr. Jaggers's deceitful
act of secretly giving Estella to Miss Havisham to raise as her
adopted daughter. As Pip and readers discover, Estella is Molly
and Magwitch's biological daughter.
e Suggested Reading
Chesterton, G.K. Appreciation & Criticisms of the Works of
Charles Dickens. Cornwall: Stratus, 2011. Print.
Cotsell, Michael. Critical Essays on Charles Dickens's Great

Expectations. Boston: Hall, 1990. Print.
Richardson, Eva. Teaching Charles Dickens' Great

Expectations from Multiple Critical Perspectives. Smyrna:
Prestwick, 2007. Print.
Rutner, Sabrina. The Gothic Elements and Atmosphere in

Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." An Analysis. Munich,
GRIN, 2015. Print.
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ABOUT THE TITLE

a Author Biography ..................................................................................... 2 d In Context

k Plot Summary ............................................................................................. 6 The Victorian Age

e Suggested Reading ............................................................................. 49

class, consisting mostly of factory laborers, formed.

Also Victorian morality promoted a strict work ethic. During this

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books. written 12 novels. Because of this output, Dickens was keenly

Even though Dickens received high praise for Great

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Magwitch Miss Havisham

Mrs. Joe Friends

Other Major Character

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Full Character List Miss Skiffins

Character Description Molly is Mr. Jaggers's house servant

Miss Havisham is a wealthy woman

Joe Gargery is a blacksmith who is a A relative of Miss Havisham, Sarah

The Aged P. is the elderly, deaf

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9. Pip learns Estella is Magwitch's daughter.

3. Pip wants Miss Havisham's and Estella's social approval.

8. Pip learns Estella is to marry Drummle.

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15. Pip meets Estella and plans to stay with her.

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Pip accidentally meets an escaped convict who orders

Pip sees soldiers catch the convict; he claims he stole

Several years later

Pip meets Miss Havisham and falls in love with Estella,

Four years later

Jaggers, a lawyer, tells Pip an anonymous benefactor

In London Pip befriends Herbert Pocket, who aids Pip's

Several days later

Pip meets the brutish Drummle, who becomes Pip's rival

Several years later

Pip meets Estella in London and continues to love her,

Two years later

The convict, Magwitch, tells Pip he is Pip's benefactor.

Pip confronts Miss Havisham for implying she is his

Miss Havisham asks Pip to forgive her, and her dress

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catches fire. Pip puts out the flames.

A few months later

Pip fails to get Magwitch out of the country. Magwitch is

Eleven years later

Pip meets Estella, who has developed a loving heart, and

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goes to bed, terrified about the young companion coming to

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community. The day-to-day hardships that Pip faces are

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theft. Mrs. Joe drags Pip to bed.

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Pip finds himself in a dressing room lighted entirely by candles.

Summary No sunlight enters the room. He makes out a strange-looking

Wopsle's great aunt by running a shop connected with the

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vision of a woman hanging by a rope from a beam. At Satis