Discussion Questions

What is the relevance and importance of the title Great Expectations to the overall novel?

The novel’s title can be attributed to Pip’s expectations and aspirations. For much of the novel, Pip aspires to rise out of his dire, poverty-ridden situation. His expectations are labeled “great” because his journey up the class ladder in Victorian England is ridden with obstacles and important self-discoveries.

As Pip inherits the money that could make him a gentleman, he notices his own greed, selfishness, and carelessness. During the course of his journey, he sees his old friends in a new light. Their integrity and moral firmness make him realize that it is shallow to draw connections between social class and moral uprightness. He gradually realizes that class is not a marker of “greatness.”

What are the three conditions Mr. Jaggers attaches to Pip’s inheritance?

The three conditions Mr. Jaggers attaches to the inheritance that Pip benefits from are:

1. Pip must never change his name.
2. The identity of Pip’s benefactor (Magwitch) must not be sought until the benefactor is ready to reveal their identity.
3. As an extension of the second condition, Pip must not in any way enlist help to find out details about his benefactor.

Compare Pip’s ambitions and trajectories with those of Herbert Pocket’s.

Herbert and Pip are from a similar class background. They meet at Miss. Havisham’s bungalow, and though their first meeting results in a physical confrontation, they eventually become good friends. They meet again in London, and get to know each other better before becoming confidants.

Herbert’s aspirations are more grounded and realistic compared to Pip’s dreams. Unlike Pip, Herbert is careful about his inheritance; Pip is not a prudent spender. Herbert only aims to create a modest, comfortable life for him and his fiancé, Clara. When Pip invests capital in Herbert’s business as an anonymous benefactor, Herbert works hard to set up a business before marrying Clara. On the other hand, Pip, despite his good intentions, is in debt due to poor financial planning.

Herbert and Clara’s relationship is uncomplicated and in stark contrast to the troubled relationship between Pip and Estella. While Clara is portrayed as a loving, straightforward partner, Estella is portrayed cold, inaccessible, and at times, even cruel. The difference in their choice of partner also amply illustrates the difference between Pip and Herbert’s expectations and desires.

How are the female characters portrayed in Great Expectations?

The three primary female characters in Great Expectations are Estella, Miss. Havisham, and Mrs. Joe. However, the women are not portrayed as docile, uncertain characters, even if some of them are confined to domestic affairs. They have strong views and are mostly unapologetic.

Estella is brought up by Miss. Havisham to be bitter, mean, and inaccessible to the men who want to court her. Through Estella, Miss. Havisham attempts to seek revenge for being left at the altar by a crook named Compeyson. Miss. Havisham is independent enough to adopt a younger girl and train her to be her own person, but is unable to get over the trauma of being abandoned at the altar. Interestingly, through Miss. Havisham’s character, Dickens both subverts and emphasizes the Victorian ideals of womanhood and motherhood.

Mrs. Joe is a strict disciplinarian who is burdened by domesticity. She takes on the task of parenting her younger brother, Pip, after their parents pass away. Her character is in stark contrast to Joe’s, who is a man of moral integrity. Feminist critiques of Dickens’ work allege that he did little to study the female psyche. Though the female characters in Great Expectations are not misogynistic portraits, it is alleged that Dickens could have done more to develop these characters.

What do the prisons in Great Expectations signify?

Crime and punishment are one of the primary themes of the novel, and the prison symbolizes this theme most effectively. The prison system highlights the harshness and unfairness of the legal system in Victorian England. Magwitch’s run-ins with the law illustrate that the legal system was mainly based on punishment, not on criminal reforms. That death sentences are public spectacles also highlights the way in which criminals were viewed; there was no concept of rehabilitation, and prisoners were shown no mercy or dignity.