Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is a rich and lively novel, centering on the life of Pip, an orphan who, thanks to a generous patron, is given ‘great expectations’ of becoming a gentleman. Typical of a Bildungsroman, we follow Pip’s development and his reactions to the world around him. Hope you all enjoy reading the article Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (PDF)
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“No one who can read, ever looks at a book, even unopened on a shelf, like one who cannot.” – Charles Dickens
Great Expectations: Book Summary
Living in the marshlands of Kent as an orphan with his sister and her husband, Pip one day finds himself being ordered by a menacing escaped convict to fetch him food and a tool for his shackles. Though Pip nervously complies, the convict is recaptured but shields Pip by claiming he stole the items himself. Then, Pip starts visiting Satis House, the residence of the bizarre, aristocratic Miss Havisham, who permanently wears her bridal dress and has halted all her clocks.
It’s here he meets the aloof Estella, who despite her cold demeanor, captivates Pip, triggering dreams of wealth and refinement to win her over. However, his dreams shatter when he is assigned to become a laborer under Miss Havisham’s instruction. Discontented, Pip works under his blacksmith brother-in-law, Joe, while being tormented by the spiteful laborer, Orlick.
Pip’s sister, Mrs. Joe, is violently assaulted, leaving her a mute invalid, with Orlick being Pip’s prime suspect. Suddenly, a lawyer named Jaggers brings an unexpected revelation of a mystery benefactor who wishes Pip to be educated as a gentleman in London. Elated, Pip presumes Miss Havisham to be his benefactor, with the intention of him marrying Estella.
In London, Pip befriends Herbert Pocket and studies under his father, Matthew Pocket, while also aiding Herbert with his business. Pip’s life takes another turn when his convict from years ago, Magwitch, appears, revealing that he is Pip’s actual benefactor, touched by Pip’s past kindness. Shocked yet morally obliged, Pip assists Magwitch in evading the London police and Compeyson, Magwitch’s ex-accomplice.
Pip discovers that not only was Compeyson the man who jilted Miss Havisham, but Estella is also Magwitch’s daughter, raised to break men’s hearts as Miss Havisham’s revenge for her own heartbreak. Eventually, Pip starts to see the goodness in Magwitch and cares for him. After Miss Havisham’s accident that leaves her bedridden, Pip and his friends plan to spirit away Magwitch.
However, their plan is thwarted by the police, and Pip loses his fortune as Magwitch dies. After being nursed back to health by his brother-in-law Joe and hearing about the recent happenings back home, Pip decides to join Herbert in the mercantile trade. Years later, he meets Estella again, who is now a widow, and they part on good terms, with Pip hoping they will stay together.
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