Great Expectations Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Pip's Initial Situation
  • Seven-year-old protagonist named Pip.
  • Encounter with an escaped convict in a cemetery.
  • Pip is terrified and ordered to bring food to the convict.

Key Characters

• Pip
  • Protagonist, raised by his sister Mrs. Joe and her husband Joe (a blacksmith).
  • Develops a sense of inferiority and shame about his work.
• Miss Havisham
  • Wealthy recluse; became jilted bride, wears wedding dress.
  • Adopted daughter Estella, trained to break men's hearts.
• Estella
  • Beautiful but cold towards Pip; Pip becomes infatuated with her.
• Joe Gargery
  • Pip’s supportive brother-in-law, represents kindness.
• Abel Magwitch
  • Escaped convict and Pip's secret benefactor; influences Pip’s journey.

Plot Summary

• Rising Action
  • Pip visits Miss Havisham regularly, becomes ashamed of his background.
  • After Mrs. Joe loses her ability to speak, Biddy cares for her.
  • Mr. Jaggers, a lawyer, informs Pip of an anonymous benefactor.
• Transition to Gentleman
  • Pip moves to London, stays with Herbert Pocket.
  • Learns of Miss Havisham's background and influence on Estella.
• Climactic Events
  • Pip learns Magwitch is his benefactor; conflicted feelings about him.
  • Estella's engagement to Bentley Drummle breaks Pip's heart.
  • Attempted escape with Magwitch fails, resulting in Magwitch's injury.
• Conclusion
  • Pip reconciles with Joe and Biddy; Mrs. Joe passes away.
  • Pip's realization about kindness over class; unexpected visit from Estella hints at possible redemption.

Themes

• Social Class and Ambition
  • Exploration of Victorian England's social dynamics; Pip’s rise to gentility is fueled by ambition but fraught with guilt.
• Guilt and Redemption
  • Pip’s guilt from social climbing; ultimately finds redemption through hard work and acceptance of his true self.
  • Miss Havisham’s guilt regarding Estella’s heartlessness.
• Uncertainty and Deceit
  • Pip's life is marked by uncertainty about his family and benefactor.
  • Deceit regarding his true origin reveals deeper familial connections.

Important Symbols

• Tears
  • Symbolize emotional clarity: beneficial after Pip’s shameful moments.
• Satis House
  • Represents stagnation and lack of growth; reflects Miss Havisham’s frozen time.
• Money
  • Signifies power and control in relationships; Miss Havisham and Magwitch's influence reflect the destructive nature of wealth.

Character Relationships

• Pip and Estella
  • Pip's infatuation; Estella’s coldness leads to Pip's inner conflicts.
• Pip and Joe
  • A bond based on kindness, which is strained by Pip’s ambition.
• Miss Havisham and Estella
  • Manipulative relationship; raises Estella to enact revenge against men.

Conclusion

• Final Reflection
  • Characters evolve; Pip and Estella’s potential reconciliation highlights themes of growth and emotional connection.
  • The significance of understanding one’s worth beyond social status.