Great Expectations
Symbols
Satis House- The Satis House is symbolic as Pips interpretation of
wealth and high social class. The dead garden has direct correlation
with the image of death and darkness inside the house along with
Miss Havishams dress and cake. The locks and keys of the Satis
House symbolize Pips inaccessibility to high society, represented by
the Satis house. It is shown in the book that Satis, is Latin for
“enough”, meaning that whoever took possession of the house would
have enough again symbolizing whoever who had a place in the high
social class would have all they needed.
Darkness/Light- “Great Expectation” revolves around the theme of
darkness and light. From the dark setting of the Satis House to Pips
London apartment and the gloomy streets of London darkness is the
main theme. Joe’s forge is bright symbolizing the love and care he
has for Pip, while the light is shining among the darkness of the
marshes as if guiding him. Estella, meaning “star” has a sense of
light, but instead of the assumed meaning of light meaning good, she
has a dark and mean personality possibly Dickens way of
symbolizing that our notions our not always what they appear, that
she is light on the outside, but darkness on the inside. A contrast is
constantly found throughout the novel.
Marshes/Fog- Mist throughout the novel represents unclarity and
danger. Mist is present when Pip faces the criminal and is threatened
by him. When he walks to London after he receives his fortune as
foreshadowing that this positive event is the start of tragic events in
disguise. It is also present when Orlick attempts to murder Pip and
when he reunites with Estella in the rewritten ending.
Estella- Estella meaning “star” is represented when Pip first meets
her. She guides him through the darkness of the dark Satis house as
if a guiding star.
Joe’s forge- Joe’s forge is symbolic of his love and care. Many
times throughout the book, when Pip and Joe are together having
relationship building conversations, Pip or Joe poke the fire to keep it
going and alive.
Bugs- Spiders and other death related bugs are found in the old
wedding cake. These bugs are often connected with death and
decomposition found largely among Miss Havisham and the Satis
House. Also Drummle’s nickname of “spider” is connected that he is
not the best of people.
Statues- Both occasions when Pip kisses Estella he describes her
as a statue. Cold hard and lifeless is the idea portrayed through this,
it is amplified when Estella tells Pip she has no heart.
Weather- Weather is closely tied to the story and its events. Most of
the story is set in gloomy and dark weather also relative to the
darkness symbols. The night Magwitch confronts Pip there is a large
storm among the area.
Drummle- He is almost a complete opposite of Pip.
Mr. Wemmick- His mouth at work is line like showing no emotion, a
contrast to him at work and at his house showing opposite
personalities. As he walks to work, Pip notices his mouth becoming
more elongated and emotionless.
Major Characters
Pip- Phillip Pirrip called “Pip” plays the role as the protagonist and
the narrator of the book. An orphan, he is raised by his sister and
brother in law Joe. Pips struggle for happiness and escape of his
position in low social class drives him through many events and
happenings. His love for Estella mixes emotions and causes much
internal change and reconstruction. An example would be when she
criticizes him for his common ways. Ironically his rise in the social
ladder leads him to sadness instead of his predicted happiness.
Estella- As the romantic role in Pips life, she cold and heartless.
Adopted daughter of MIss Havisham and birth daughter of Molly,
Jaggers servant and Magwitch, the convict and Pips benefactor.
Leading Pip on she marries Bentley Drummle and later regrets it.
Joe- Pips brother and law and best friend throughout the first part of
his story. He is loving and caring and serves as Pips guardian before
Mr. Jaggers. After Pips social rise, Pip is embarrassed by his use of
common language and common look. After the death of Mrs. Joe he
marries Pips friend and original tutor Biddy.
Magwitch- The original convict and Pips benefactor. After their
experience on the marshes, Magwitch is sent to Australia and earns a
wealth as a sheep farmer. He remembers Pip and swore to turn him
into a gentleman. Also the original father of Estella and partner gone
enemy of Compeyson.
Themes
The theme of “Great Expectations” can be “Love and integrity are
more important than wealth and social rank”. Pip only dreams of
becoming a gentleman as a little boy. He believes it will bring him joy
and satisfaction, but in reality his rise only brings him despair and
unfullfilment.
Another theme is the theme of guilt. It is found constantly in the
story. When Pip sees the convict again, he feels guilty to be there
and feels guilty of himself to being a “dog”. He has guilt for the way
he treats Joe and Biddy. Guilt is also found when he regrets the way
he treats his benefactor, Magwitch, but continues. He also feels guilty
for stealing food and a file for him.
Changes
Physical- Mrs. Joe suffers physical changes when she suffers brain
damage from a blow to her head from Orlick. She is only able to draw
symbols to represent what she wanted.
Internal- Pip faces many internal changes. His humble to rude
behavior relates to the change of low to high class. He changes in his
love for Estella. Change is also found throughout his age including his
attitude and outlook to other people.
Settings
The Satis House- A gothic styled mansion with no light inside and
home to Miss Havisham, almost a reflection of the house itself. Dead
inside it is the first place he meets Estella. It has a brewery beside
which Miss Havisham bought as a share when she was conned.
The Forge- Joe’s forge is an area of love and care. it is where Joe
keeps care of the fire symbolized for his love.
Wemmick’s House- A small house turned into a castle with bells,
canons, moats and everything else to the imagination. Wemmick here
is a loose, free spirited person as apposed to his character at Jaggers
office.
Irony
The irony of “Great Expectation” is found everywhere. Miss
Havisham intends on breaking Pips heart and degrading him, but
ends up pitting him when Estella hurts him proving that she cares for
him. Ironically Estella lets Pip kiss her after she proves to be rude and
insults him. Last but not least, in the greatest example, a simple task
as bringing the convict a file, a pie and drink, changed his life forever.
This simple job inspired Magwitch to send his fortune to Pip changing
his class, wealth and education.
Timeline
Pip encounters the convict
He goes to Miss Havishams house and meets Estella
Realizes he is common
Given two one pound notes by the stranger with the file
Mrs. Joe becomes brain dead
Pip finds out he is to be made into a gentlemen and believes it is
Miss Havisham
Pip moves to London and meets Herbert
Overhears two convicts talking on his way home about the 2
pounds given to him
Mrs. Joe dies
Pip finds out it is Magwitch that is his benefactor and not Miss
Havisham
Magwitch tells Pip his story and why he gives him the money
Is told that Estella is marrying Drummle
Realizes Magwitch and Molly are Estella’s original parents
Magwitch is caught by police and Pip is with him at his death
Pip become sick and is helped by Joe
Pip goes back home and reunites with Estella
Point of View
Pip (narrator)- Pips view of the story as the narrator is that of
description and such.
Pip (protagonist)- Pips view of the story as a protagonist often
conveys emotion and telling the reader as a person his past and
future to come.