Chapter 21

Wemmick, Mr. Jaggers’ assistant, escorts Pip to his accommodation. On their way, Pip and Wemmick discuss the seedy nature of London and the many crimes that are committed here. At Barnard’s Inn, Pip is welcomed by his tutors’ son, Herbert Pocket. Herbert also offers Pip some fruit. Herbert is poor, and his only aim in life is to become a shipping merchant. Later, Pip discovers that Herbert is the pale man he had bested in the physical confrontation at Satis House.

Chapter 22

Nicknamed “Handel,” Pip prepares to learn what it takes to be a gentleman from Herbert. Being related to Miss. Havisham, Herbert also explains the mysterious story behind the state of affairs at Satis House. He explains that Estella is Miss. Havisham’s adopted daughter who has been brought up to be cold and cruel to men. Miss. Havisham had fallen in love with a man from a lower class who eventually abandoned her at their wedding altar. The man had allegedly conspired with Miss. Havisham’s half-brother, Arthur. Miss. Havisham has not been able to forget this fateful day. She also insists on wearing her wedding dress for the rest of her life. The many frozen clocks in Satis House also serve as a reminder of her misfortune.

Chapter 23

When Pip reaches Mr. Pocket’s house, he learns that the family is preoccupied with and hurt by the fact that Mr. Pocket still hasn’t been awarded any title. Mrs. Pocket believes herself to be of upper-class lineage and spends most of her time reading books about titles and nobility. Pip realizes that this world is very new and strange to him. Here, Pip meets Bentley Drummle and Startop, his learning companions. He takes the first step toward becoming a gentleman by hiring a teacher for rowing classes.

Chapter 24

Pip is now more prepared to settle into his new life. He decides to rent a room with Herbert. Soon Pip befriends Wemmick, who invites him home for dinner. Pip now gets an opportunity to observe the Jaggers. Wemmick explains to Pip that Mr. Jaggers has only adopted an intimidating demeanor for professional reasons. He assures Pip that Mr. Jaggers is a reasonably pleasant man in his private life.

Chapter 25

Pip regards Drummle as an idle person and Startop as spoiled. He avoids their company. As Pip’s training continues, Pip and Herbert become confidants. On his way to Wemmick’s place, Pip learns that Mr. Jaggers is feared by the London crooks and that nobody messes with him. Pip observes that Wemmick is jovial and warm in his own house, where he also takes care of his elderly parents.

Chapter 26

Pip, Drummle, Herbert, and Startop visit Mr. Jaggers’ residence for dinner. His house is dark and unwelcoming. Toward the end of the evening, Pip and Drummle get into a fight over a loan that Startop gives to Drummle. As they bicker to decide who is the stronger of the two, Molly, Mr. Jaggers’ maid, appears and brandishes her strong but disfigured fist at them. Mr. Jaggers then tells them that he has not seen anyone stronger than her.

Chapter 27

Biddy writes to Pip announcing Joe’s visit to London to meet him. Pip is worried that Joe might disturb the gentlemanly life he has built for himself, complete with a servant boy named The Avenger. When they meet, Pip is unable to hide his annoyance at Joe, who then admits that his real motivation for meeting Pip was to convey a message from Miss. Havisham about Estella’s return. This moves Pip, and he runs after Joe to stop him from leaving so soon, but loses sight of Joe in the crowd.

Chapter 28

When Pip returns to the village, he decides to stay at the Blue Boar instead of his own home or the forge. He overhears a passing story about a convict wanting to help a boy who had once kept his secret and protected him from a set of ex-convicts. Uncle Pumblechook claims that this convict is Pip’s benefactor.

Chapter 29

Two surprises await Pip at Satis House: Orlick is the new porter at Satis House, and Estella has returned from France as a young and even more beautiful woman. In an attempt to find some time with Estella, Pip decides to spend the day at the manor. As Estella and Pip take a walk in the overgrown, unkempt garden, they reminisce about their childhood. Estella vaguely admits that Pip is now closer to being a gentleman, but she continues to remain indifferent nonetheless. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to hurt Pip, Miss. Havisham urges Pip to love Estella regardless of how she treats him.

Chapter 30

Pip informs Mr. Jaggers that Orlick is “not the right sort of the man” to be Miss. Havisham’s porter, and Orlick is duly fired. Trabb’s Boy, the tailor’s apprentice, follows Pip around town, mocking and imitating him. When Pip returns to London, he writes a letter to Trabb condemning the actions of his apprentice. Pip tries to make up for not visiting Joe by sending him gifts from London. Upon returning to Barnard’s Inn, Pip confesses his love for Estella to Herbert, who tells him that if Miss. Havisham is Pip’s benefactor, Pip might not be able to marry Estella. Herbert then tells Pip about his own fiancé, Clara, whom he cannot marry because he does not have money.

Analysis of Chapters 21- 30

These chapters take us through Pip’s life in London and the transformations he undergoes in the city. He has a new nickname here and also finds himself in a new social milieu, which only increases his annoyance at Joe when he visits Pip in the city. Though Joe is still proud and loving of Pip, Pip is deeply embarrassed by him. In an attempt to climb the class ladder, Pip refurbishes Barnard’s Inn and hires a new help named The Avenger. These changes are also his way of addressing the injustices of his life before London. By getting Orlick fired, Pip demonstrates his growing social influence and power.

This section also highlights Pip’s and Herbert’s romantic desires. This subplot reveals much about the two gentlemen-to-be. Herbert is a poor, young lad who is aware of his situation. He aspires to be a merchant so he can marry his fiancé, Clara. On the other hand, Pip remains devoted to Estella, who is still cold and indifferent to him.