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Great Expectations Study Guide questions
Stage II: Chapters 20-39
Chapter 20: (pp.93-96)
1. Describe the scene in the neighborhood surrounding Jaggers’ office.
2. What impression do you form of Jaggers based on the way he is treated by the
community?
3. What are the details of Pip’s living arrangements in London? From whom will he
be getting money? Where and with whom will he be living?
Chapter 21: (pp.96-98)
4. How is Wemmick first described to the reader? Why do you suppose Dickens’
makes such a vivid introduction of this character?
5. “So imperfect was this realization of my great expectations that I looked in
dismay at Mr. Wemmick…”How was Pip’s expectation of his first home at
Barnard’s Inn different from the reality?
6. Why is it established that Pip and Wemmick will see each other often?
Chapter 22: (pp.98-104)
7. What mystery is solved with the introduction of “Herbert Pocket” into the novel?
8. What opinion does Herbert Pocket give of Estella?
9. Explain why Herbert finds it suitable to “re-name” Pip.
10. What are the details surrounding “twenty minutes to nine”?
11. Why doesn’t Matthew Pocket have any contact with Miss Havisham?
12. What is meant by Herbert’s phrase “looking about him?
13. What picture of domestic life does the Pocket family provide? What does Pip
imply when he says, “I saw that Mr. and Mrs. Pocket’s children were not growing
up or being brought up, but were tumbling up…”?
Chapter 23: (p.104)
14. Describe Mr. Matthew Pocket’s other students.
15. What is Pip’s newest hobby?
Chapter 24: (pp.109-110)
16. What are Pip’s plans for his future?
17. What insight is gained of Jaggers’ character?
18. Summarize Wemmick’s instructions as to what Pip should observe at Jaggers’
home:
Chapter 25: (pp.110-114)
19. Describe Bentley Drummle and Startop:
20. How do Miss Havisham’s relatives feel about Pip? Why do you suppose they feel
this way?
21. What does Wemmick call his father? Of what malady (sickness) does the father
suffer? What does this father like to do at nine o’clock?
22. What does Pip observe about Wemmick as they go back to the office the next
morning? What philosophy of Wemmick’s does this emphasize?
Chapter 26: (pp.114-117)
23. What nickname does Jaggers give to Drummle?
24. Describe Jaggers’ housekeeper. How does she react to Jaggers? What feature of
hers does Jaggers show the boys?
25. How does Jaggers feel about Drummle?
Chapter 27: (pp.117-122)
26. What does Biddy infer (hint) in the “p.s.”?
27. Who is Pepper? What does his presence tell you about Pip?
28. How does Pip feel about Joe coming to visit? How does he react during the visit?
29. Why does Miss Havisham want Pip to come see her?
30. To what conclusion does Joe arrive during his visit with Pip?
Chapter 28: (pp.122-124)
31. What observation does Pip make about swindlers?
32. Pip recognizes one of the convicts on the coach. Who is he? What mystery is
solved?
Chapter 29: (pp.124-129)
33. What is Pip’s surprise at Orlick’s gate?
34. What is Estella’s warning to Pip?
35. What is Miss Havisham’s definition of love?
36. What is the effect of Pip’s and Jaggers’ visit on Sarah Pocket?
37. Compare the conclusions of both chapters 27 and 29. What does Pip mean when
he says, “God, forgive me!”?
Chapter 30: (pp.129-133)
38. What is Orlick’s fate and who is responsible?
39. What bothers Pip’s conscience and how does he soothe it?
40. What caution/ advice does Herbert give Pip regarding Estella?
41. What are the details with Herbert’s relationship with Clara?
Chapter 31: (pp.133)
No specific questions…
Chapter 32: (pp.138-141)
42. To what conclusions does Pip jump with regards to Miss Havisham’s and
Estella’s trip to London?
43. How has the jealousy of the Pocket relatives manifested itself, and how effective
has it been?
44. Why is Estella grateful to Pip?
45. In what way does Pip admit he is foolish?
Chapter 33: (pp.141-143)
46. What regrets does Pip have?
47. How does he address these regrets?
Chapter 34: (pp.143-147)
48. What are Pip’s feelings on his sister’s death?
49. How does Pip deceive himself concerning Joe and Biddy?
Chapter 35: (pp.147-151)
50. Why are Pip and Herbert excited about Pip’s 21st birthday?
51. What answer does Pip get regarding his benefactor?
52. What conclusion does Pip draw concerning Estella?
53. What is Wemmick’s office advice to Pip’s query, and how do you think this will
differ from his Walworth advice?
Chapter 36: (pp.151-154)
54. Describe Miss Skiffins.
55. What does Pip wish to do for Herbert, and what arrangement does Wemmick
make?
56. Pip ends the chapter by saying that a great event, the turning point of his life, now
opens. To what do you think he could be referring?
Chapter 37: (pp.154-159)
57. How does Pip rationalize Estella’s coldness toward him?
58. How does Pip feel he fits into Miss Havisham’s plans?
59. Of what does Miss Havisham accuse Estella?
60. Who is courting Estella? Do you think they deserve each other?
61. What analogy does Estella use to describe herself and her suitors?
62. What is Estella’s explanation of her attitude toward Pip?
Chapter 38: (pp.159-167)
63. What mood is set at the opening of the chapter? List the details.
64. Who is Pip’s visitor? List the details you learn about him.
65. What is Pip’s reaction to him?
66. What is his reaction to Pip?
67. What could be the consequence of this visit?
68. What is Pip’s sharpest and deepest pain?