Historical Context

This book was written in the Victorian era. This was a time of great economic inequality. There was a high importance put on climbing the economic ladder and hence gaining a higher social standing. Dickens was skeptical of the value this path had. My interpretation after reading the book is that this book is a critique on what could happen if one spends their time chasing status and fancy exteriors.

Major Themes

Class and Kindness

The people in the book with the least concern for their social class are the kindest and most generous in the book. Herbert, Joe, Biddy, and Magwitch have no concern for how they are perceived and no not play the game of social ascent. They are also the most selfless and consistently help Pip in many ways. It is also seen that this is rewarded. Biddy and Joe, arguably two of the most kind characters, end up happily married. Herbert, who grew up poor, finds love and ends up being richer than Pip in the end. The two things Pip was searching so hard for.

Corruption of Wealth

When Pip gains his fortune, he is not made better off by it. He becomes aloof and forgets about many of the people that care about him. He focuses his aim not on becoming an actual gentleman, but instead thinks about how others will think of him once they see that he has ascended the social ladder. This corruption affects more than just Pip. Mr Pumblechook, who has not actually received any material goods from Pip's ascent, uses Pip's fortune to try and enhance his own social standing. He comes across as obnoxious, fake, and conniving.

Guilt and Crime

Pip feels eternally guilty about giving Magwitch bread.

Illusions

Pip lives under the illusion that Miss Havisham is his benefactor, Miss Havisham lives under the illusion that it is still her wedding day, Estella has no idea who her actual parents are.

Character Breakdown

The characters in this book are what make it special. They are deeply developed and contain much nuance. They all have small quirks that make them different.

  • Pip: Pip represents the lower class and the deep desire for rise in rank, at the expense of all else. He is a shy, kind hearted person that becomes tainted with ideas of wealth. He holds many prejudices and discriminations. He is drawn to those that have high status, yet treat him poorly. He often does favors for Miss Havisham and Estella though they feel nothing towards him and simply use him for their own devices. Pip makes poor use of his fortune, squandering it and ending up in debt. He ends the book having learned his lesson and making a regular, middle-class living for himself as a clerk.
  • Mrs. Gargery (Pip's sister): Mrs. Gargery is an abusive, spiteful lady who feels deep resentment towards Pip for being forced to raise him. She consistently repeats the sentence "I raised you by hand" as if to imply that Pip is ungrateful for being housed in her abode. She beats Pip and Joe with a stick coined "Tickler".
  • Joe: Joe is a soft, kindhearted blacksmith. He is rough around the edges, dumb, and ungainly. His rough exterior is paired with utmost kindness and selflessness. Though Pip consistently neglects Joe yet also requires Joe's help, not once does Joe think about leaving Pip on his own.
  • Orlick: Orlick is a brutally jealous assistant to Joe. He is jealous that Pip gets more attention and time as well as angry that Pip keeps him away from Biddy. This ultimately culminates with Orlick's mauling of Mrs. Gargery and kidnapping of Pip.
  • Biddy: Biddy is a kind and simple girl that is doing the best with what she has. While not born into high circumstances, Biddy learns to read and write as well as teaching Joe and Pip to read and write. She is selfless and takes care of Mrs. Gargery after she gets attacked.
  • Mr Pumblechook: Mr Pumblechook is a conniving opportunist that uses Pip's fortune as a way to try and improve his own social standing. Under the false impression that Miss Havisham is Pip's benefactor, Mr Pumblechook parades Pip's fortune around as if his own as he was the one to introduce Pip to Miss Havisham.
  • Miss Havisham: Miss Havisham is a cruel, sad lady. She was left at the altar on her wedding day and refuses to allow time to pass for her since that moment. The clocks in her home all read the time that she was left at the altar and she still wears her wedding dress at all times. She cannot accept the reality of the loss of her love and instead pretends as though the sad moment has not yet passed.

    Her relationship with Estella is very interesting. She channels her hurt into the child, weaponizing her against love. She teaches Estella that love is a hateful abomination that she must avoid. Thus Estella becomes a ruthless, heartless lady incapable of love. When Pip falls in love with her and the love is not reciprocated this brings Miss Havisham much joy. It is as though the retribution she seeks is wrought upon Pip through Estella.

    Later on in the book, she is redeemed. She sees what she has turned Estella into and understands how she has damaged the child. She also sees the pain this has caused Pip. Towards the end, she falls into the fire but it is left ambiguous as to whether this is a suicide attempt or an accident.

  • Estella: Estella is the adopted daughter and object of Miss Havisham's hatred towards men. She makes her entrance as a taunting, cruel girl that knows Pip's feelings towards her and uses them to make him feel pain. She grows up and marries an abusive man that treats her poorly. After they divorce, she becomes a tamer, quieter, and more self-reflective person. She realizes the monster she had become and how her path was led astray by the teaching that was given to her when she was a girl.
  • Herbert: Herbert is a nice goober. He makes his entrance by getting into a fight with Pip. He throws a couple weak punches and is continually knocked down by Pip. It is unclear why he seeked the fight in the first place. He and Pip meet later in the book once his father begins teaching Pip. They strike up a strong friendship and Pip eventually begins giving him money through Wemmick's friend as an intermediary. He is not told that Pip is his benefactor until the end of the book. Herbert is a conscientious fellow that works hard and loves his friends and family. He and Pip are such good pals that he even helps Pip in his plot to get Magwitch to safety.
  • Mr. Jaggers: Mr. Jaggers is the rigid, machine-like, lawyer that acts as the intermediary between Pip and Magwitch. He is a cold yet well-meaning fellow. He follows the law to the tee, even when he does not like it. He is the one that knew Estella's parents yet also had the foresight and wisdom to know that telling her would do good for nobody. He keeps the secret of the benefactor even when he himself disproves.

    His entrance into the book is particularly comical. He is overhearing Mr Wopsle talk through a portion of a script for his new play and sharply interrupts to explain how the court proceedings are entirely incorrect and do not reflect how an actual court hearing would commence.

  • Wemmick: Wemmick is the double-sided assistant to Mr. Jaggers. When in the office, he retains the same cold business attitude as his employer but is a soft, kindhearted man at home. He takes care of his parent, "the Aged", and has a girl, Ms. Skiffins, who he ends up marrying towards the end of the book. He also helps Pip find an intermediary to get Herbert some money and try to get Magwitch to safety.

    Wemmick is my favorite character in this book. He is very nuanced. His two-sidedness is quite fascinating. He can wear multiple hats. He is simultaneously cold, logical assistant, loving parent, loving husband, good friend, and partner in crime (literally).

  • Magwitch: Magwitch is a goofy criminal and Pip's benefactor. He makes his entrance threatening to kill Pip unless he brings him food. Pip obliges and then Magwitch is not seen for most of the book. He comes back revealed as Pip's benefactor. He is rough, scary looking, and crude. He is also generous, kind, and sweet. He wants nothing but the best for Pip and holds him in the highest esteem. He literally generated a large fortune just so that he could give Pip a better life than he had himself.
  • Compeyson: Compeyson is the other criminal and one of the many antagonists in the book. He is in the marshes with Magwitch in the beginning and only spotted a couple times later in the book. He is bent on getting Magwitch caught and brought back into custody. He eventually reappears and is killed when he is run over by a boat. He is also the guy that left Miss Havisham at the altar.
  • Drummle: The enemy to Pip for Estella's love. He is a cruel, mean guy.

Plot Summary

  • Pip encounters Magwitch and Compeyson in the graveyard.
  • Pip goes home, steals food, and gives it to the criminals.
  • The criminals are caught.
  • Pip begins life as an apprentice to Joe.
  • Pip is summoned to Miss Havisham and begins working for her. While there, he meets Estella and fights with Herbert.
  • Pip is notified of his fortune and "expectations". He thinks that this is from Miss Havisham.
  • Pip leaves to live in London and learn from Mr. Pocket.
  • Pip makes poor financial decisions and he and Herbert fall into debt.
  • Mrs. Gargery is attacked by Orlick and is now incapable of living on her own.
  • Pip starts slowly giving Herbert some of his money each quarter.
  • Magwitch shows up to say hi to Pip.
  • Pip keeps Magwitch in his home as a stowaway.
  • Magwitch is moved to Clara's (Herbert's girlfriend) house.
  • Pip sees Miss Havisham who almost dies in the fire.
  • Estella tells Pip she is getting married to Drummle.
  • Pip gets a message telling him to come to the graveyard.
  • Orlick is lying in wait, ties Pip up and puts a gun to his head.
  • Pip screams, Herbert comes looking for him and knocks out Orlick.
  • Pip, Herbert, and Startop hatch the plot to get Magwitch out of London.
  • Compeyson and some police find them and try to take Magwitch away.
  • Compeyson dies in the tussle and Magwitch dies in bed shortly after.
  • Pip works as a clerk for Herbert's business and works his way up the corporate ladder.
  • Biddy and Joe get married.
  • Pip meets Estella in the ruins of Miss Havisham's old home and they reconcile.

Writing Style

The writing style is illustrative and vibrant. It can be a tad hard to understand due to the Victorian style, but remains fun and full of whimsy.

Strengths

The characters are fun and nuanced. They have their own backstories, strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities. Also, Pip's downfall is a very interesting story that still holds its place in current society. The obsession with wealth and climbing of the social ladder at the expense of all else is still a theme we see today. In pop culture, TV shows, movies, and interactions with others, getting money and being rich is as coveted now as it was back then. This book is a timeless exposition showing what the pursuit to accumulate wealth can do.

Weaknesses

There are so many different entangled character storylines that seem unnecessarily complex. Why did it have to be Compeyson that left Miss Havisham at the altar? Why did Mr. Jagger's assistant and Magwitch have to end up being Estella's parents? Why did Wemmick's girlfriend's brother have to be the one that helped Pip get his money to Herbert.

What did this book teach you?

This book taught me about the dangers of seeking status above all. It also taught me about the importance of kindness and the unexpected nature of appearances. A pretty exterior does not mean a pretty interior. In the same way, an ugly exterior does not necessitate an ugly interior.

In one sentence

The quest for status is one that does not lead to happiness.

Score

6/10