Chapters
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens is a classic novel that follows the life and experiences of Philip Pirrip, also known as Pip. It is studied in the curriculum of GCSE English, and students will be expected to read the whole book, but this can serve as a simple reminder of the stages of the book.
This is a book that was originally published in a serialised manner, meaning it was gradually released via a periodical. It has become one of the most iconic works of fiction of its era and helped to turn Dickens into one of the most prominent figures in literature.
The novel is set in Victorian England and explores themes of social class, morality, and personal growth. The intricate plot weaves together various characters and storylines, creating a rich tapestry that captures the complexities of human nature and explores many literary themes.
Part One
The story begins with Pip as a young orphan living with his sister and her husband, Joe Gargery, a humble blacksmith. One evening, while visiting the graves of his parents, Pip encounters a menacing escaped convict named Magwitch. Though he is initially scared, Pip steals food and a file from his sister's home to aid the fugitive. However, the convict is captured, and Pip's initial act of kindness sets in motion a series of events that will shape his destiny.
Soon after this encounter, Pip is invited to the mansion of the eccentric and reclusive Miss Havisham. There, he meets the beautiful but cold-hearted Estella, who becomes the object of his infatuation. Miss Havisham, jilted at the altar years ago, is an eccentric character with confusing and twisted morals, so she raises Estella to break men's hearts as revenge for her own pain. Pip is left with deep feelings of inadequacy and a desire to become a gentleman, believing that only then can he win Estella's love.
Joe takes Pip for the last visit to Miss Havisham, and she gives Pip money to become an apprentice blacksmith. However, Joe's assistant, Dolge Orlick, is jealous of Pip and also doesn’t like Mrs Joe. While Pip and Joe are not in, Joe’s wife is attacked, and can no longer work. Pip sees a leg iron as the weapon, which he is worried is the same iron that he helped the escaped convict to get out of.
Unexpectedly, Pip receives a substantial fortune from an anonymous benefactor, leading him to London to fulfil his "great expectations." He assumes that Miss Havisham is behind his newfound wealth, intending for him to become a suitable match for Estella. Pip undergoes a transformation, leaving behind his humble roots to adopt the manners and lifestyle of a gentleman. His rise in social status, however, alienates him from Joe and his roots.
Part Two
As Pip navigates his new life in London, he befriends Herbert Pocket and becomes acquainted with the eccentric and mysterious lawyer Jaggers, who then starts to take on Pip's financial affairs.
Pip and Herbert run up debts together living in London, and struggle financially. Pip is also gaining in social status, and when Joe visits Pip at Barnard's Inn, he is ashamed to be seen with Joe. Joe tells him that Estella will be visiting Miss Havisham. Pip returns there to meet Estella and is encouraged by Miss Havisham, but he does not visit Joe. He is also annoyed to see Orlick now working for Miss Havisham.
Pip and Herbert also discuss their romantic lives in this period, and Pip shares that he loves Estella and Herbert that he is engaged to Clara. Pip meets Estella when she visits Richmond.
Part Three
Pip's plans are shattered when he learns that his true benefactor is not Miss Havisham but the escaped convict Magwitch, who had made a fortune in Australia. Shocked and disillusioned, Pip realises the extent of his moral and social misjudgments.
Magwitch returns to England, risking his life to see the gentleman Pip has become. Pip, who initially recoils from Magwitch due to his criminal past, eventually develops a sense of compassion and loyalty toward the man who sacrificed so much for him. Their relationship forms a central part of the novel, challenging societal norms and exploring the theme of redemption.
Meanwhile, the fates of other characters are interwoven with Pip's journey. Estella, despite her initial coldness, is revealed to be a victim of Miss Havisham's vengeful upbringing. Her marriage to another man ends in misery and abuse.
Miss Havisham herself meets a tragic end when her mansion catches fire during a confrontation with Pip.
As Pip tries to protect Magwitch from the law and help him escape the authorities, the novel builds toward a climactic scene when Estella is revealed to be the daughter of Jagger's maidservant Molly, a gypsy at the time, and Abel Magwitch.
Legal proceedings, while resolving some issues, lead to Magwitch's capture and subsequent death sentence. Pip's efforts to save Magwitch ultimately fail, and he finds himself at the brink of financial ruin.
As the novel approaches an end, Pip is offered a job in Cairo. He falls ill, but Joe nurses him back to health. Pip proposes to Biddy, who he had grown up with in the same village, and was another orphan. However, he finds that she has already married Joe. Joe has paid off Pip’s debts too, to help to avoid his arrest.
Pip leaves to work in Cairo, as he is offered a job there working with Herbert. He eventually works his way up through the company, but discovers it was his friend Herbert who paid for his position. He also lived with Herbert during this spell. Pip spent eleven years there in Egypt before returning.
In the novel's resolution, Pip returns to his humble origins, caring for Joe and realising the value of true friendship and love. Estella, who is now widowed and humbled by her experiences, also undergoes a transformation. In the closing chapters, Dickens leaves the door open to the possibility of reconciliation and a more hopeful future for Pip and Estella. The reader is left to make their own mind up about what happens next in the story of these characters.
This is a novel split into stages and is one which has a complex plot that cannot be fit into a short summary. The nuanced tale follows almost the whole lifespan of Pip, as well as a raft of other complex characters.
"Great Expectations" is a nuanced exploration of the human condition, morality, and the impact of societal expectations. Through Pip's journey, Dickens critiques the flaws of the class system and the moral decay that can accompany ambition and social climbing. The novel's intricate plot and memorable characters contribute to its enduring status as a literary masterpiece, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of identity, redemption, and the pursuit of genuine happiness, rather than material possessions.
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