Great Expectations

Summary and Analysis

Chapter 1
Philip Pirrip, the narrator and protagonist of the novel, commonly referred to
as Pip, is introduced as an orphan being brought up by his sister, Mrs. Joe,
and her husband, Joe. Much of the sadness and trouble in his life is the result
of his tragic familial history, which includes many deaths. He only vaguely
remembers his deceased mother, father, and five brothers. The setting of the
town is described as a “bleak marsh near the sky,” a reference to the sad and
gloomy atmosphere.

As Pip spends time at his family’s gravestones, he is ambushed by a prisoner

who threatens to slit his throat should he tries to flee. The prisoner has a
“great iron” attached to his leg. The convict turns Pip upside-down and
demands that he bring him a file and some food. He also warns Pip of dire
consequences if he alerts his family or friends.

Chapter 2
The second chapter opens at Pip’s sister’s house and gives readers a glimpse
into the ways in which Pip is being raised by his sister. She has “brought him
up by hand,” using violence to discipline him and Joe. In a small exchange,
Pip’s sister tells him that he would “… have been to the churchyard long ago”
had she not looked after him. This serves as a reminder that she is Pip’s only
guardian and he is expected to be grateful to her, despite her tendency for
violence.

Being at the receiving end of Mrs. Joe’s violence creates solidarity between
Joe and Pip. From dinner and the subsequent feast for Christmas, Pip steals
bread, cheese, mincemeat, pork pie, and brandy for the convict. He adds
water to the brandy to avoid getting caught. At dinner, Pip hears Joe talk
about an escaped convict. Pip’s fearful excitement and guilt about meeting the
escaped convict keep him awake at night. Before meeting the convict again,
Pip also steals a file from Joe’s tools.

Pip’s relationship with his sister is in contrast with the tender relationship he
shares with Joe. Similarly, the personalities of Joe and Pip’s older sister are in
great contrast, too.
Chapter 3
Pip sets off to meet the convict he had encountered the previous day. He
ends up meeting another convict, who, on seeing Pip, takes off and
disappears into the fog. Later, Pip meets the original convict at the Battery
and offers him the stolen goods. The convict devours the food, and Pip then
tells him about the other convict he had encountered on his way to the
Battery. Upon hearing this, the convict files the iron off his leg and asks Pip to
point him in the direction in which the other convict had fled. Pip immediately
leaves for home, so that his absence is not discovered by his sister.

A subtle friendship seems to have developed between the convict and Pip.
Indeed, this bond will become foundational to the plot as the novel
progresses. Pip’s innocence and fear are frequently alluded to in this chapter.

Chapter 4
Driven by guilt for stealing from his home, Pip imagines the punishments that
await him should he get caught; he is certain that the family would have
discovered that he has stolen food. However, he is relieved to find out that the
Christmas feast is still underway and that nobody has noticed anything amiss.
The Christmas feast includes Joe, Mr. Wopsle, the church clerk, and Joe’s
uncle, Pumblechook. Though Pumblechook acts strangely after drinking the
brandy mixed with tar-water, no one suspects Pip. The chapter ends with
police officers appearing at the doorsteps with handcuffs.

This chapter also highlights Joe’s love for Pip; however, Joe is unable to undo
the damage caused by Mrs. Joe’s words and actions on Pip’s young mind.
The chapter is also suspenseful: it begins with Pip believing that he will be
caught and ends with police officers appearing at the doorstep.

Chapter 5
Just as Mrs. Joe realizes that the pie is missing, police officers appear at her
doorstep, and she is unable to investigate the issue further. Pip is certain that
the officers are there to punish him for his misadventure. However, the officers
are looking for the convicts and are there only to get the handcuffs repaired by
Joe. The men join the officers in looking for the fugitives, who are found
engaged in a rough fight. Through his silence, Pip tries to assure Magwitch
that he wasn’t responsible for their capture. Magwitch claims that he stole
food from Joe’s house and had intended to bring the other convict back to the
ship, thereby saving Pip from punishment. Joe is understanding and kind
when he hears Magwitch’s confession, and the two convicts are taken back to
the Hulk. Pip believes that he will no longer run into the two convicts.

In this chapter, readers find out that Joe and Magwitch are good-natured.
Magwitch ensures Pip’s safety by claiming to have stolen the food he was
given by Pip. Commendably, Joe empathizes with the convict even after
learning that he had stolen from his house.

Chapter 6
This chapter focuses on Pip’s decision to conceal all evidence about his
involvement with the convicts. Nonetheless, there are many instances where
Pip nearly tells Joe the truth himself. He fears a confession would only bring
unwanted attention, and he might always be blamed or suspected whenever
anything goes missing at home. Pip is overcome by guilt about lying to Joe,
but not about lying to his sister. The convicts’ arrest creates a great deal of
speculation and excitement among the adults. It is ironic that the only one who
knows the whole truth, Pip, is the youngest and chooses not to share any of it
with the others.

Chapter 7
In this chapter, readers learn about Pip’s daily routine and education. He
works as an apprentice to Joe and attends evening school. The chapter also
focuses on Joe’s rough and sad upbringing. Pip and Joe share great
camaraderie, and Pip promises to teach Joe everything he knows. Even
though Pip can hardly read and write, Joe looks up to Pip nonetheless. At
school, Joe meets Biddy, another orphan. Biddy takes care of her old
grandmother and helps her run her shop.

A great opportunity comes Pip’s way when Uncle Pumblechook arranges for
him to work at Miss. Havisham’s house. Miss. Havisham is a rich spinster,
and Mrs. Joe is especially enthused by this opportunity and believes that it
would make Pip more agreeable and rich. Pip, however, is unsure and
confused. He is unable to figure out what working at Miss. Havisham’s might
entail. Nonetheless, he is cleaned up and groomed and sets off with Uncle
Pumblechook to visit her.

Readers get more insight into Joe’s character when, fearing Mrs. Joe’s wrath,
he asks Pip to not tell her about their lessons together. Joe is keen to avoid
conflicts, even minor ones. Mrs. Joe harbors hopes of becoming rich. To this
end, she embraces all opportunities and is not afraid of challenging situations.

Chapter 8
After an unpleasant stay with Uncle Pumblechook, Pip leaves for Satis House
the following day. Satis House is a dilapidated mansion, and the name Satis is
ironic because it means “enough” or “plenty.” The house is in a dismal state
with rusted windows and is surrounded by “an air of broken spirit.” When they
arrive at Satis House, an unpleasant but beautiful young girl opens the door
and invites only Pip into the house. As the girl escorts him to Miss.
Havisham’s dark, candle-lit room, Pip tells the girl that the house has a
strange name. Miss. Havisham, dressed in an old and withering bridal dress,
tells Pip that she is old and never goes out anymore and has called him to the
house to play with her adopted daughter, Estella.

Estella reluctantly plays cards with Pip, but remarks on his poor appearance
and lack of social finesse. The eerie atmosphere of the house, coupled with
Estella’s unkindness, weighs heavily on Pip and he rushes back home after a
meal at Satis House. Pip is attracted to Estella, but her refusal to see him as a
worthy friend hurts him.

The gothic elements of Great Expectations, as represented by the dilapidated

surroundings and Miss. Havisham’s gloominess, are especially prominent in
this chapter. Readers can also discern Pip’s growing urge to be better than
“common.” He is determined to make the most of himself and defy the
boundaries imposed by his tenuous situation.

Chapter 9
When Pip returns from Satis House, he faces an array of questions from the
curious Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook. They are eager to learn about his
experience at the mansion. Pip invents lies of grandiosity and relates a
fantasy tale replete with dogs fighting over a piece of veal and cake served on
a gold platter. When he discusses this with Joe, however, Pip is truthful and
tells him that the experience was underwhelming. He bemoans the fact that
he is so common. Joe is sad to hear this, but warns Pip of the dangers of
unchecked and superficial aspirations.

Chapter 10
Pip seeks Biddy’s help to improve his academics. At a local pub with Joe, Pip
notices a stranger stirring his drink with the file Pip had stolen from Joe to help
the convict. The man at the pub gives Pip two pounds in exchange for his
silence. Pip gives this money to his sister. He worries that this incident might
be the start of another misadventure in his life.

Analysis of Chapters 1- 10
The opening of the novel introduces us to Pip, the protagonist. A seven-year-
old boy, he is at the graveyard paying respects to his deceased family. His
sense of loss and suffering encourage the readers to empathize with him.
There is a shift in narrative when Pip realizes that he is not alone at the
graveyard. He runs into the convict, whose aggressive demeanor makes
readers imagine that the worst might befall Pip.

The next few chapters introduce us to the main characters and Pip’s
relationship with them. We see the companionship between Joe and Pip. On
the other hand, Mrs. Joe is stern and dominates Joe and Pip. Finally, the
readers are introduced to Miss. Havisham and Estella, two more main
characters around whom the plot will revolve.

In describing his experience at the mansion to Mrs. Joe and Uncle

Pumblechook, Pip tells fantastic lies. These lies not only show that he is
creative but also hint at his deep-seated sense of shame. Pip is especially
ashamed of being “common,” a feeling that grows after his visit to Satis House
where Estella repeatedly insults him for being unremarkable.

Readers are made privy to Pip’s thoughts and feelings. Pip is often overcome
by fear and guilt as a young man. His “normal” days, such as the one at the
local pub with Joe, are often marked by tension; he sees himself as constantly
on the verge of some impending misadventure. Pip regards the strange man’s
presence at the pub as a bad omen.