The most important notes & questions on the First six chapters

1. What are the morals of "Great Expectations"?

 Money and social position don’t bring happiness.
 Accept yourself and try to be better without being too proud.
 Friendship is more important than wealth.
 Affection, loyalty, and conscience are more important than social class and
wealth.
 Good people will be rewarded and bad people will be punished.
 Being a gentleman doesn't always mean a better future.
 Love and kindness are more important than social position.
2. Mrs. Joe was a rude, merciless woman. Clarify.
 She always insulted her little brother and didn't like to look after him. She
always complained about him.
3. Fear leads to obedience! To what extent do you think this applies to
Pip's decisions in this chapter?
 I think that Pip agreed to help the convict because he threatened to kill him,
and he was frightened of him.
4. “I’d rather she hit me than you!” what does this tell you about joe’s
personality?
 Joe was kind and loved Pip a lot.
5. Why do you think the clock had stopped in Miss Havisham's room?
 I think Miss Havisham couldn't overcome her shock of not completing her
marriage, so she wanted her life to stop at that moment.
6. Estella described Pip as being common. Why does she do this in your
opinion?
 I think because he was just a poor working boy with dirty hands and ugly
boots.
7. "Well! You can break his heart". What does this tell you about Miss
Havisham?
 It shows that she is shocked, heartbroken and abnormal.

1
8. Pip's visit to Miss Havisham was a turning point in his life. Do you
agree?
 Yes, because he decided to have a better education thinking that Estella
might be attracted to him as a result.
9. Why do you think everything in Miss Havisham's house remained the
same for years?
 I think her life stopped on the day her fiancé left her and she wanted
everything to remain the same to remind her of that day.
10. “Well, boy!" She asked. "Am I pretty?" Yes, you are very pretty.
What does this tell you about Estella's character?
 This shows that she is proud and she liked to be praised.
11. Pip and Herbert Pocket proved to be noble fighters. Illustrate.
 Pip felt sorry for his opponent pocket after hitting him and pocket admitted
that Pip had won the fight.
12. Although Estella insulted Pip, she turned to be a motivator for him.
Discuss.
 As Estella humiliated him, he felt ashamed of himself and his family. As a
result, he decided to have a good education to become a gentleman.
13. "I have to tell you that Pip has great expectations." Comment.
 These words were said by Mr. Jaggers to Joe and Pip. He explained that
Pip would receive a large amount of property in the future from someone
he couldn't tell them about it.
14. "But my heart was set on Estella" Comment.
 Pip said these words. He said that Biddy was a far better person than
Estella but his heart was with Estella.
15. Pip was ambitious. Prove.
 Pip decided to change his simple life and become a noble man. He joined
the village school to have a good education to achieve his goal.
16. Joe preferred friendship to money. Explain.
 Joe didn't accept to take money as a compensation for losing Pip. He didn't
care about money. He thought they would always be friends.

2
17. Do you think Pip did the right thing when he went to London?
 Yes, I think he wanted to improve his position in life. In London, he would
achieve his goal and his ambition.
18. What would have happened if Miss Havisham had adopted Herbert?
 Herbert would have been rich and he might have been Estella's fiancé, too!
19. Herbert was hospitable and generous. Prove.
 As he welcomed Pip when he first came to London. He was helpful and
cheerful although they had had a fight before.
20. Money was the reason that turned Miss Havisham and her brother
into enemies. illustrate.
 After Miss Havisham's half-brother spent his fortune that he inherited from
their father, he became jealous of her, and played tricks on her.
21. Miss Havisham suffered some psychological problems that affected
her behaviour towards men. Do you agree? Why?
 Yes, I agree. After her fiancé had left her on the day of her wedding, she
became determined to take revenge on men.
22. The reason for which Miss Havisham adopted Estella was
unbelievable. Explain.
 As Miss Havisham adopted Estella to take revenge on men because her
fiancé left her on the day of her wedding.
23. Mr. Joggers was brave (courageous). Prove that.
 As he didn't even lock his house at night. However, nobody dared to
approach his house.
24. "I think I have had a lucky escape!" Comment.
 This quote was said by Herbert to Pip. Herbert told Pip he was lucky not to
be Estella’s fiancé as she was proud and cruel.
25. Pip didn't feel relieved during the dinner at Mr. Jaggers' house. Do
you agree? Why?
 I Yes, I agree. I think he didn't enjoy the meal because of the way
Drummle behaved. Drummle was always boasting while they
were having dinner.

3
26. What do you think of Drummle? Why?
 I think he was boastful proud. He was always boasting to be strong. at Mr.
Jaggers' dinner.
27. Pip was ungrateful to Joe. Give an example.
 When Pip knew Mr. Joe was to come to London, he wished to pay him not
to come, He wasn't excited to see him. He welcomed him Coldly. He said
“I wished that I could pay joe not to come”.
28. Why do you think Joe called "pip" "sir"?
 I think that Joe noticed that Pip had changed in behaviour and appearance.
Now, he looks different and handsome.
29. Molly looked strange. Prove that,
 Her wrists looked very strong and one of the had terrible scars on it.
Chapter 7
1. Estella said that she had no heart. What does this tell you about her
character?
 It clearly seems that she was cruel and too proud of herself. She judges
things by her mind not by her heart but she was honest with Pip, I think.
2. Pip became proud and arrogant. Prove.
 During his visit to the village, he didn't speak to anyone in the village. He
avoided talking to poor people and his old friends.
3. “You should try to forget her”. Why do you think Herbert said that?
 This quote was said by Herbert when "Pip" told him that he loved Estella
so much. Herbert advised him to forget her as she wouldn't make him
happy.
4. Why do you think Miss Havisham wanted Pip to marry Estella?
 In She wanted Estella to break Pip's heart. She wanted to use Estella to take
revenge on men.
5. Mr. Jaggers was an influential character? Explain.
 Mr Jaggers had a lot of clients as a lawyer. He knew many secrets of every
place as Estella stated.

4
6. "Love her! Love her! Love her. If she is cruel love her". Comment.
 This quote was said by Miss Havisham to Pip. She wanted to make Pip
love Estella to be able to break his heart.
7. Why do you think that Herbert predicted that Estella wouldn't make
Pip happy?
 Herbert knew that Estella was cruel and boastful. He also knew that Miss
Havisham used her to break men's hearts.
8. Why do you think Pip and Estella are nit free?
 Because the only followed Miss Havisham’s orders as she gave them
money and high position.

Chapter 8
1. "You know that I want to trick all my admirers. All of them apart
from you!" Comment.
 This quote was said by Estella to Pip. She was too proud of her beauty and
wanted to tell him she was special.
2. Magwitch was grateful to Pip. Discuss.
 Magwitch helped Pip by sending him to London and giving him a fine
education because Pip had helped him in the graveyard as a child. He said I
have never forgotten what you did for me that day.
3. I have never forgotten what you did for me that day." What does this
tell you about the speaker?
 It shows that he was kind and grateful.
4. Pip had a sense of guilt in many situations. Mention two
 He felt guilty for not visiting Biddy and Joe.
 He felt guilty for making Herbert extravagant.
5. Estella was bold and tough. Give an example.
 She faced Miss Havisham and told her that she was the cause of her
coldness.
6. Pip proved to be a true friend. Discuss.
 Pip helped Herbert to get a job and pay back all his debts.
5
7. “I am glad you've grown up, my boy!" Why do you think Magwitch
was happy?
 I think Magwitch was pleased to see that Pip became a gentleman.
8. “Yes, Pip, I’ve made a gentleman of you!" Comment.
 This quote was said by Magwitch to Pip. He informed Pip that he decided
that if he became rich, he would make him rich because Pip had given him
the food and that hie all those years ago. He Considered him as his son

Chapter 9

1. Pip had mixed feelings towards Magwitch. Explain.

 Pip was grateful to Magwitch, but he disliked his behaviour and felt
ashamed of him.
2. Pip was deeply shocked when he discovered who was his benefactor.
Discuss.
 Because that meant Miss wasn’t the secret benefactor so he wouldn’t marry
Estella
3. Magwitch had a hard past. Prove.
4. Sometimes, poverty leads to crime. Give an example from the novel.
 Magwitch was born orphan. He was hungry. He begged to survive. He
spent much time in prison.
5. If you were Pip, would you be ashamed of Magwitch (Provis)? Why?
Why not?
 Yes, because a convict had made him a gentleman.
6. Poverty was not an excuse for Magwitch to be a criminal. Do you
agree? Why? Why not?
 I agree. A lot of poor people work hard to earn their living and they turn to
be rich.
7. Pip was grateful to Magwitch (Provis). Prove.
 Pip decided to hide Provis so that he wouldn't be arrested by the police

6
 8. All could be deceived, even the court. Prove.
The court believed Compeyson as he behaved as a gentleman and didn't
believe Provis who looked poor.
9. Compeyson was dishonest. Explain.
 He deceived Miss Havisham and took her money then her on the day of her
wedding.
10. Mr. Jaggers was responsible and secretive. Prove.
 For many years, he didn't tell Pip who was his secret benefactor.
11. Pip felt sorry for Provis although he knew he was a criminal. Was he
right to do that? Give your opinion.
 Yes, I think he was right as Provis had helped him before. Besides, Provis
had a difficult childhood.
12. Why do you think Jaggers didn't tell Pip that Provis was his benefactor?
 I think he expected that Pip would refuse to take his money.
13. Was it fair that Provis was given a longer prison sentence than
Compeyson?
 I think it wasn't fair, as the court believed Compeyson, who was a liar,
because he looked and behaved like a gentleman.
14. If you were Herbert, would you tell the police about Provis?
 No, because I might be afraid to be killed by Provis.
15. “Pip was a man of principles.” Prove.
 He decided not to take money from the convict, Provis, in the future after
he knew that he was his benefactor.

Chapter 10
1. Miss Havisham proved to be a misleading character. Explain.
 Miss Havisham deceived Pip by making him believe that she was his
benefactor.
2. Pip, as well as, Miss Havisham was broken-hearted. Discuss.
 As Estella stabbed him in his heart and refused his love to marry Drummie

7
3. "Yes, I've misled you, Pip". "But why should I be kind?" Comment.
 This quote was said by Miss Havisham to Pip. She confessed that she made
him believe she was his benefactor. She was unkind to him.
4. Do you think that Pip was right to blame Miss Havisham?
 Yes, because she misled him.
5. Herbert and Wemmick were loyal to Pip. Mention a situation.
 They helped Provis, his benefactor.
6. Mr. Jaggers was a good lawyer. Prove.
 He acquitted Molly from murdering her daughter.
 He was the lawyer of Miss Havisham and Provis; Pip's benefactor;
7. Drummle was an ideal husband for Estella. Explain.
 Drummle was strong, handsome and rich. He was even boastful like her.
8. Molly was grateful to Mr. Jaggers. Explain.
 Molly worked as a housekeeper for Mr. Jaggers as he had acquitted her
from murdering her daughter.
9. Do you think that Drummle and Estella would have a successful
marriage?
 No, I don't think so. I think Drummle might find difficulty in dealing with
Estella as she is proud and cruel.
10. Estella was a heartless woman. Justify your answer.
 When Pip cried saying "You know I love you", Estella didn't move and
looked at him coldly. She preferred Drummle to Pip as he is rich and
strong.
11. Pip proved to be a loyal friend in many situations. Mention one of
them.
 He asked Miss Havisham to help his friend Herbert Pocket. As a result, she
agreed to pay for him to continue working for Mr. Clarriker.
Chapter 11
1. Why do you think Miss Havisham wanted to adopt a girl, not a boy?
 She wanted to use it to break men's hearts and take revenge on them.

8
2. "It's my fault that Estella is so cruel! Forgive me Pip." Comment.
 This quote is said to Pip by Miss Havisham. She confessed that she adopter
Estella and taught her how to break people's hearts.
3. Compeyson was a villain. Prove.
 He tricked Miss Havisham and took her money.
 He also caused Magwitch to be put in prison.
4. Pip forgave Miss Havisham although she caused him to live unhappy
life. Give evidence.
 He saved her from the fire and exposed himself to danger. He was
injured as a result.
5. Orlick proved to be a cunning criminal. Explain.
 Years ago, he attacked Mrs. Joe and left the legs-irons in the kitchen so as
to make people think that a convict had committed the crime.
6. Why do you think Orlick planned to kill Pip?
 Orlick thought that Pip ruined his life. He accused him of spoiling things
for him. First, he lost his job at Miss Havisham's. Second, Pip told Biddy
not to trust him.
7. Herbert was always a loyal friend to Pip. Mention a situation to prove
that.
 Herbert took Startop and some villagers to save Pip from Orlick.
8. Mr. Jaggers was kind to Estella. Explain.
 He took her to Miss Havisham to adopt her.

Chapter 12
1. Do you think Estella reached her expectations?
 No, I don't think so. Her marriage failed because her husband was cruel to
her.
2. Do you sympathize with Provis?
 Yes, because he was given a life sentence. He even died without meeting
his daughter, Estella.

9
3. Joe proved to be loving Pip in many situations.
 When Pip became ill, he looked after him.
 He paid all of Pip's debts
 He named his Son “Pip”.
4. Estella felt guilty for Pip at the end of the story. Explain.
 She asked him to forgive her as she used to hurt him in the past, and she
felt his pain after being hurt, too.
5. Estella's end was fair. Discuss.
 Estella had a fair end as she had a sad marriage. She was broken-hearted
and suffered a lot.
6. Good people were rewarded at the end of the story. Discuss.
 Biddy and Joe got married. They were happy at the blacksmith's and had
two children.
7. Bad people were punished at the end of the story. Discuss.
 Orlick was prisoned as he had broken into uncle Pumblechook's house
Compeyson disappeared under water after his fight with Provis.
8. Drummle had the and that he deserved. Discuss
 He was always boastful, arrogant and cruel. Finally, he died in an accident
with a horse.
9. Pip was thoughtful. Give an example.
 When he knew Joe married Biddy, he didn't tell them he wanted to marry
Biddy.
Answer the following questions
1. Joe was a good employer. Prove.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
2. "Love changes life to a better one". Does this quote apply to Pip?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................

10
3. Pip appeared to be a dreamer. Explain.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
4. Herbert was a thoughtful character. Prove.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
5. If you were Pip, would you be ashamed of your past. Why? Why not?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
6. Orlick was unreliable. prove that.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
7. How were Estella and pip similar after leaving their old village?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
8. I knew that I had changed, and not for the best". Can you guess what?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
9. was Pip's feeling at the moment of speaking?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
10. Pip changed his lifestyle when he became rich. Explain.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
11. Money can be used to build or ruin. Give examples from the novel.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................

11
12. Estella was a model of deceit. Prove.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
13. "Forgive me Pip! I used her to break your heart" Comment.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
14. "Miss Havisham asked Pip to forgive her, after she reached her goal
and broke his heart. What do you think of Miss Havisham?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
15. You can become a gentleman without me, my boy. Said Provis.
Comment.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
16. "You have always a place in my heart" Said Pip, Comment.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
17. Do you think "Great Expectations" is a suitable title for the novel?
Why? Why not?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
18. If you were Pip, would you promise to remain Estella's friend
although she hurt him a lot?
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
19. Estella paid for her cruelty. Discuss.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................

12