Great Expectations

Great Expectations
Charles Dickens wrote the novel Great Expectations in the year 1861 and it was the 13 th novel that
he wrote. The message of the novel is quite simple as it points towards the importance of ambition
and self-improvement. It focuses on the moralistic theme that wealth, class and social advancement
is not greater than love, affection and loyalty. The novel revolves around the life of an orphan
named Philip Pirrip, who is also called as Pip. He lives with his elder sister who is the wife of his
closest friend Joe Gargery (A blacksmith). One day, while exploring in the churchyard near the
tombstones of his parents, Pip is stopped by an escaped convict. The convict scares Pip into stealing
food for him, as well as a metal file to saw off the convict's leg iron. Returning with these the next
morning, Pip discovers a second escaped convict, an enemy of the first one. Shortly afterward, both
convicts are recaptured while fighting each other. Since the starting of his life Pip is always finding
out ways to improve his living days. For the same reason he seeks education from the relative of
one of his teacher’s named Biddy. He starts visiting Miss Havisham who is an old wealthy spinster.
Pip develops feelings for Estella there who is the adopted daughter of Miss Havisham. Miss
Havisham approves of the infatuation but sadly Estella does not respond to him. After a while, Pip
starts working at a furnace with Dorge Orlick who is violent in nature. Orlick attacks Pip’s sister after
having an argument with him. On moving forward in the novel, Mr Jaggers who is a lawyer in
London reveals that a large inheritance has been transferred to Pip by an anonymous person. Pip
resumes his studies under Matthew Pocket and shares a room with his son, Herbert. The two of
them grows fond of each other and becomes friend. Herbert tells Pip about how a conman broke
Miss Havisham’s heart a long time back.
Pip starts appreciating the modest things in life and realizes that after the death of his sister he has
been ignoring Biddy and Joe. Back in London, a convict whom Pip helped in escaping from prison at
the starting of the novel returns back. The convict, Abel Magwitch, reveals that he is Pip’s
mysterious benefactor. The second convict was Magwitch who made a fortune in Australia and was
so thankful to Pip for his kindness that he was determined to repay him. Magwitch is still on the run
and reveals that he used to be partners with a conman named Compeyson. Pip and Herbert
suspects Compeyson to be the same lover of Miss Havisham who deserted her earlier. Later Pip
disobeys Miss Havisham about driving him to establish a bond with Estella. He discovers that Estella
is prepared to wed his overtly rich batch mate, Bentley Drummle. Miss Havisham laments about
raising Estella in such a way that she has become so heartless and asks for Pip’s forgiveness. Miss
Havisham accidentally sets her dress ablaze while Pip was leaving and suffers severe injuries. She
dies soon after the incident. After some time Magwick wants to leave the place and Herbert and Pip
line him down the River Thames and helps him in breaking out. Police catches all of them together
with Compeyson. As the police boat draws near, Magwitch moves forward for Compeyson, and the
two gets stuck in the river. Compeyson dies by drowning in the river and the court sentences
Magwitch to death. Pip loses his legacy. As he slips further into bed debts, Pip falls badly sick. Joe
comes to London to ease the situation of Pip and also pays few of his debts. In addition to that, Joe
brings news from home that Orlickhas been captured by police for burglary, Joe has started to read
as taught by Biddy and Miss Havisham’s will has been distributed among Estella, Pip and Herbert's
father. Pip gets back to wed Biddy, but finds out that Joe has been hitched to her after the death of
his wife. Pip starts to work with Herbert in Egypt.
After several years abroad, Pip re-visits England. He visits the site of Miss Havisham's crushed
house. There, he finds mourning Estella. Estella's harsh marriage has made her a kinder human
being and the novel closes with Pip and Estella walking around by holding hands.

Great Expectations

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Great Expectations

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Great Expectations

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Great Expectations

You might also like