Great Expectations Volume II - Notes on Characters and Themes A recurring theme throughout Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is that the protagonist is making his way in society and aspiring to greatness which necessarily includes both consequences and behaviours involving himself and others. Volume II. Chapter 20. - Pip arrives in London and is welcomed by Mr. Jaggers, a lawyer. The lawyer provides instructions to Pip and gives him clothing and other items he needs for his new life in London. - Mr. Jaggers treats Pip respectfully, unlike his other clients in the antechamber. Chapter 21. - Pip feels disappointed by the dismal look of Barnard’s inn - he expected his lodging to be more extravagant. - Pip recognizes Matthew Pocket’s son, Herbert Pocket, as the pale young gentleman he fought at Satis house. Chapter 22. - Pip aspires for greatness and after discovering that Herbert Pocket aims to become an insurer of ships, the protagonist does not believe Herbert Pocket will be successful. Chapter 23. - This chapter does not focus on Pip making his way in society. It instead focuses on the dysfunctional Pocket household. A theme in this chapter is that Mrs. Pocket, being fixated on her social class and her delusion of nobility, frustrates others. - Pip, having great respect for high social position and pride in his rising position is deeply offended when his rowing trainer compares him to a blacksmith. Chapter 24. - The protagonist asks Mr. Jaggers for money to furnish a room in Barnard’s inn. Mr. Jaggers makes Pip feel uncomfortable as they disagree about the amount of money to be given. Chapter 25. - Pip meets his fellow students, Bentley Drummle and Startop. He feels that Bentley Drummle is miserly and lacks intelligence. Pip prefers Startop, a considerate yet spoiled boy. - As Pip walks back to Little Britain from Wemmick’s house in Walworth, he notices Wemmick gain seriousness. Chapter 26. - Mr. Jaggers prefers Drummle and Pip is advised to distance himself from him. - Jagger’s servant, Molly is submissive around her employer. Jaggers points out her strong and scarred wrists which show that she had struggles in the past. Chapter 27. - Biddy sends Pip a letter telling him that Joe will be visiting him in London. Pip is afflicted by this - in addition to feeling embarrassed if he is seen with Joe, as in chapter 19, Pip now believes that his reputation of high social standing will be damaged. - Joe and Pip interact in an uncomfortable manner: Pip acts in a noticeably snobbish manner which worsens Joe’s awkwardness. - A serious consequence of Pip’s upwards journey in social standing is that Joe now feels inferior to him! He apologizes for meeting Pip in public, recognizing their different standings in society. Chapter 28. - Pip experiences internal conflict as he contemplates whether he should visit the forge. This is a direct purpose of him making his way through society, wanting to leave the forge behind. - Mr. Pumblechook falsely claims responsibility for Pip’s rise in social class. Chapter 29. - Estella observes that Pip has separated from the people he grew up with. - Pip is surprised that Mr. Jaggers is unfazed by Estella’s beauty. - Ms. Havisham maintains her relentless desire to exact revenge against men, in this case, Pip. She demands that he love Estella. - Pip later reflects upon Miss. Havisham’s comments in a delusional manner. Pip rejoices in his thought that Estella is intended to be his wife. Chapter 30. - Trabb’s Boy heckles Pip’s haughty behaviour. - Pip sends Joe a bountiful supply of seafood. He believes that this will compensate for his choice to avoid visiting the forge. Pip is starting to believe that gifts and money can replace his kind heart! - Herbert is secretly engaged to Clara. Chapter 31. - Mr. Wopsle is delusional: he celebrates his choice to become an actor in London and is unaware of his poor acting skills. This parallels Pip’s situation, as he is similarly self-delusional - he disconnects himself from his roots at the forge, believing that he is superior. Chapter 32. - A relentless vengefulness against men has been instilled in Ms. Havisham ever since Arthur’s attempt to defraud her. She particularly wants to use her daughter Estella to agonize Pip. - Ms. Havisham leverages Pip’s self-delusion regarding social class. As Pip rises in social standing, he feels Estella is intended to be his wife. Knowing this, Ms. Havisham requests that Estella meet Pip which sparks Pip’s excitement. - While Pip waits for Estella at the coach station, he is bothered by the continuous presence of prisoners, criminals, and convicts in his life. Chapter 33. - When Pip meets Estella, she tells him that she must follow Miss. Havisham’s instructions. Pip hopes that Estella is implying that if it was not for Miss. Havisham’s commands, she would act affectionately towards him. Chapter 34. - Pip and Herbert recklessly spend the money that Pip receives from his benefactor. They discover that they are seriously in debt. This shows that Pip is taking his rise in social class for granted, and that he is forgetting about its true implications. - Mr. Trabb sends a letter to Pip stating that Mrs. Joe has died. This shows that Pip is oblivious to the condition of his own family. He believes that his newfound social status is of more importance than his family, and his past. Chapter 35. - A small conflict develops between Joe and Biddy. Joe accuses Biddy of not writing to Pip about Mrs. Joe’s situation. Biddy argues that Pip would not have wanted to know. Other characters have noticed and accepted that Pip has become inhospitable towards his own family. - Pip feels hurt when Biddy justly doubts that Pip will return to the forge more frequently. Biddy offers Pip an apology, despite not being at fault. This shows that Pip’s new social status intimidates his family. He is even called Mr. Pip. Chapter 36. - Pip reaches an important milestone in his voyage through society - he comes of age. - Mr. Jaggers reconfigures Pip’s allowance: he will now receive an annual sum and must manage his spending on his own. Chapter 37. - Pip’s generous plan to invest his money in Herbert’s career unfolds. Herbert is elated and Pip shares this feeling with him. - This is the first time since moving to London, that Pip engages in an unselfish act of kindness and uses his expectations to benefit someone. Chapter 38. - Miss Havisham relishes over the stories of Estella’s numerous suitors which have been heartbroken. - Pip’s judgement is clouded by his profound love for Estella and he believes that Ms. Havisham is implying that she betrothed Estella to him, although it is clear that Ms. Havisham is simply priding herself in her success in exacting revenge on men, one of which is Pip himself! - Pip witnesses Ms. Havisham and Estella fighting for the first time because Ms. Havisham feels that Estella acts coldly towards her. - Estella tells Pip that she “entraps” all of her suitors except for Pip. Chapter 39. - The convict visits Pip and reveals for the first time that he is the secret benefactor. Pip is terrified and angered by the fact that he has been looking up to and is so closely associated with a convict of low social status. - Pip is devastated because he realizes that Miss. Havisham is not his benefactor. He realizes that he has been delusional and that his dreams about Estella cannot be realized. - The convict was clearly proud of Pip and feels accomplished because he is responsible for Pip’s upward movement in society. He admires Pip’s good manners and refined appearance. Volume III. Chapter 40. - The convict provides Pip with more money to help Pip become a gentleman. It seems as though the convict believes that money can make someone a gentleman. - Provis’ illegal presence in London triggers worries in certain characters. Pip experiences internal conflict as he worries about how he should protect the convict, while Mr. Jaggers acts as if he is unaware of the convict being in London altogether. Chapter 41. - Characters experience further conflict due to Provis being in London. Pip hopes to disconnect himself fully from the convict and his expectations. However, Pip worries that this may anger the convict and ultimately result in his arrest and execution. Pip is consumed by inner turmoil as his hatred for Provis clashes with his innate kindness and willingness to protect him. Chapter 42. - It is revealed that Compeyson was the man that jilted Miss. Havisham before her wedding. Chapter 43. - Pip sees Drummle at Blue Boar and they fight about their positions in front of the fireplace. Pip feels disturbed as Drummle is visiting Estella at Satis house which implies that their relationship is becoming significant. Chapter 44. - Ms. Havisham reveals her dishonest and manipulative scheme against Pip. Pip learns the truth about his unfortunate relationship with Ms. Havisham and Estella, realizing that he has been delusional. - Pip professes his love for Estella, yet her determination to marry Drummle is unwavering. Pip is heartbroken and Ms. Havisham has finally achieved her goal. Ms. Havisham did, however, feel remorse and pity for Pip. Chapter 45. - As a gentleman of increased social standing, Pip believes that spending his money for Herbert develops his reputation. Nevertheless, Clara does not favour Herbert’s friendship with Pip because she believes that he negatively influences Herbert’s financial choices. Chapter 46. - Pip finds himself once again, helping the convict. As a child, Pip helped the convict by the marshes out of pure terror and potentially a speck of kindness. Now, Pip helps Provis escape from the country, yet this time, his motive is not generosity. Pip strives to dissociate himself completely from the convict. We see that as Pip makes his way through society, he becomes more calculated as he behaves in a more manipulative manner, planning all his actions with the goal of maintaining and heightening his social status. Chapter 47. - Pip is aware of the fact that he resents Provis and he is virtuous enough not to use the money he receives from the convict, even though he is seriously in debt. - Mr. Wopsle’s acting career begins to suffer as he continues to produce poor-quality spectacles, like the one presented in chapter 31. Mr. Wopsle’s expectations in London have been quashed; perhaps, Dickens develops Mr. Wopsle’s situation in order to foreshadow what will happen to Pip. - Compeyson has been watching Pip very closely, even following him into the theatre. Pip fears the criminal and proceeds even more prudently in his daily life. Chapter 48. - Pip realizes that Molly, Mr. Jaggers’ servant, is the woman that Estella reminds him of. He notes his belief that she is Estella’s mother. Chapter 49. - Ms. Havisham attempts to redeem herself. She provides money to help Herbert Pocket with his career. She also regrets her entire elaborate scheme to exact revenge on men and laments the consequences on Estella and all of her suitors, including Pip. - Pip willingly forgives Ms. Havisham. Pip has learned from his mistakes in the past. Chapter 50. - Many relationships between characters are revealed in this chapter: Estella’s father is Provis and her mother is Molly! Provis’ care for Pip stems from his love for his daughter Estella. - Pip realizes that Estella was born into a family of lesser social class than himself! Chapter 51. - Pip and Mr. Jaggers converse about Estella’s origin, sharing what they know with each other. They contemplate whether they should tell Estella about her true parents, but Pip believes that the low social status of her parents would bring her disgrace. Chapter 52. - Pip’s journey through society has attracted the attention of many, back in the village. Knowing this, Uncle Pumblechook continues to take credit for Pip’s success. He propagates his false story in order to gain reputation and respect. Even the landlord of an inn in the village believes in Uncle Pumblechook’s story, and even blindly tells it to Pip. Chapter 53. - Pip is attacked by Dolge Orlick. Orlick plans to kill Pip and blames him for all that has happened - Mrs. Joe’s death, and Orlick losing his job at Satis house, and Orlick’s separation from Biddy. Chapter 54. - After Pip’s boat is caught by the galley, it capsizes and Provis is injured. Unbeknownst to him, his possessions, including the money for Pip are all taken away. - Pip’s resentment for Provis dissipates, and he begins to appreciate him as a generous man. Pip has grown past his vanity and his over-consciousness of his social class. - Pip also declines Provis’ offer to avoid being seen in public with Pip. The convict's offer shows that he feels inferior to Pip, or that he has sensed Pip’s reluctance to be seen in public with individuals of lower social standing. Pip’s choice to decline the offer equally attests to Pip’s growth past his class consciousness. Chapter 55. - Herbert offers Pip the job of a clerk in Cairo. Pip declines the offer, yet this is not because he is concerned about lowering himself socially. It is because Pip wants to continue to support Provis and reflect about himself as a person. It is clear that Pip has surpassed his phase of class-consciousness and as a true gentleman, his kindness and consciousness of his true self are being expressed. - Details of Compeyson’s adept trickery in his plan to exact revenge on Provis are revealed. Compeyson previously caused the circulation of the false rumour that he was not in London. The intention was that other characters, such as Wemmick, would encourage Pip to make his attempt to bring Provis out of the country. Chapter 56. - Provis is sentenced to death and Pip, now fully appreciating and admiring Provis’ generosity, accompanies him in the prison infirmary. Before Provis’ death, Pip tells him that his daughter Estella is alive and that he loves her. Chapter 57. - Pip falls ill and Joe nurses him. Pip feels ashamed to accept Joe’s help, considering how he has tried to disconnect himself from Joe during the early stages of his upward journey through society. At this stage of his life, Pip fully appreciates Joe. - As Pip progressively recovers, Joe feels more uncomfortable around him: while severely ill, Joe would call Pip his childhood names, “old chap” or “old Pip”. However, as Pip regains his strength, Joe calls him “sir”. Pip realizes the consequences of his past class-conscious behaviour on a truly kind-hearted relative of his. Chapter 58. - Pip asks for forgiveness from Joe and Biddy for the way he treated them during his rise in social status. They mend their friendship. - Pip is employed at Clarriker & Co. as a clerk and lives with Herbert and Clara. The company rejoices in great success and Pip wonders how he could have doubted Herbert’s prospects, upon first meeting him. Chapter 59 - Original Ending. - Pip meets with Estella, who was abused by Drummle. Pip realizes that Estella has experienced a similar love-related suffering as Pip. Although Pip’s great expectations were not realized, he ends up as a mature and compassionate individual. Chapter 59 - Revised Ending. - Pip meets Estella back at Satis house. Both experiencing nostalgic memories of the past, Pip forgives Estella and they become friends forever, possibly even becoming married. Chapter 19 - Additional Notes. - Learning of Pip’s new outlook, both Mr. Trabb and uncle Pumblechook behave in a particularly cordial manner towards him. - As Pip establishes himself socially, he feels that Joe is an embarrassment to be seen with and requests that Biddy help to improve Joe’s manners so that he better fits into society. Pip even demands that Joe not come to his coach, since he is ashamed of being seen with the blacksmith. - Pip later regrets his bitter parting from Joe while on his way to London.
