Chapter 31

Pip and Herbert watch Mr. Wopsle play Hamlet in a theatrical performance. He plays the role more comically than dramatically, and Pip and Herbert try to applaud him in the beginning, but they drop the act eventually. Backstage, Pip recognizes that Mr. Wopsle has no idea that his performance was bad; instead he revels in his ambitions, and over dinner, he tells Pip and Herbert that he is on the verge of some big successes as an actor.

Chapter 32

Pip receives a note from Estella informing him of her visit to London. She also tells him that Miss. Havisham wants him to meet Estella at the station. He is so nervous about this meeting that he reaches the station five hours ahead of schedule. While awaiting Estella’s arrival, Pip meets Wemmick, who takes him on a tour of the Newgate Prison, which is in dismal condition. Pip notices that Wemmick is at ease in this region and seems to know his way around very well. At the prison, Wemmick introduces Pip to a convict who will soon be hanged. Pip wonders why he always seems to get involved with convicts and matters related to prisons. He quickly tries to shake off the smell and memory of Newgate before greeting Estella.

Chapter 33

Upon arrival, Estella clearly lays down the rules for their meeting. She asks him to get her some tea. She then tells Pip that she would be traveling to a neighborhood near Richmond to live with a lady who will in turn introduce Estella to members of her society. Finding her more good looking than ever, Pip begins to imagine what it would be like to live with Estella and feels happy, even though he is mostly miserable in her company.

Chapter 34

Pip regrets his poor treatment of Biddy and Joe, and begins to feel guilty. However, he is soon overcome by his all-consuming passion for Estella. Pip and Herbert accumulate debt, as they continue to overspend; Pip, in particular, appears to have taken his inheritance for granted. They join the Finches of the Grove, an expensive social club that Drummle is also a member of. Pip receives a letter informing him of Mrs. Joe’s death, and he prepares to attend the funeral.

Chapter 35

Pip attends Mrs. Joe’s funeral, which is arranged by Mr. Trabb. Joe and Biddy are devastated by Mrs. Joe’s death. Pip scolds Biddy for not keeping him informed of Mrs. Joe’s poor health. Biddy, in turn, reproaches Pip for having distanced himself from the forge. She also tells Pip that, though she will continue to take care of Joe, she will nonetheless be leaving their house to become a mistress at a new school. When Biddy and Pip discuss Orlick, the tension and discomfort between them becomes apparent. Before leaving, Pip promises to visit them more often and be more involved. Joe is overjoyed on hearing this, but Biddy remains doubtful.

Chapter 36

Pip comes of age eight months after Herbert. He is excited to be responsible for his own money. Mr. Jaggers notifies him that he will henceforth receive five-hundred pounds annually. Pip notices that Mr. Jaggers is cold toward him and is relieved that he will no longer need to consult Jaggers before spending money. Pip invites Mr. Jaggers to his birthday party, but his presence makes Pip uncomfortable. Contrary to Pip’s expectation, Mr. Jaggers does not reveal the identity of Pip’s benefactor. Meanwhile, Wemmick warns Pip against investing in Herbert’s business.

Chapter 37

Pip visits Wemmick’s cottage and meets his aged parents and Miss. Skiffins, Wemmick’s girlfriend. As Pip and Wemmick go on a stroll, Pip once again expresses his desire to invest in Herbert’s business. He shares details about Herbert’s life and his reasons for wanting to invest in Herbert’s venture. Wemmick agrees to help him by putting him in touch with an accountant, who turns out to be Miss. Skiffins’ brother. Herbert is excited to learn of these developments.

Chapter 38

Lovelorn, Pip visits Estella at Richmond quite frequently. However, he feels tortured during these visits, as Estella openly courts other men. Pip wrongly presumes that he is betrothed to Estella, and is disappointed to hear that Drummle is one of the gentlemen courting her. Pip then visits Satis House with Estella and continues to believe that he will be engaged to her. He thinks she is courting other men only to carry out Miss. Havisham’s plans to teach men a lesson. During the visit, Miss. Havisham complains that Estella is no longer warm and affectionate. Estella retorts by saying that she’s merely behaving in the manner in which she has been brought up: cold and aloof. Pip and Estella go for a walk in the garden, and Pip tells her about Drummle’s unworthiness; she compares Drummle to a moth, noting that he can’t help but be attracted to a flame. While Pip continues in the same vein, she asks him if he, too, wants to feel “deceived” and “entrapped” like her suitors, which makes Pip feel miserable.

Chapter 39

Pip has turned twenty-three, but his chances of getting engaged to Estella have not improved. On a dark, rainy night, when Herbert is away on business, a mysterious, old, balding stranger pays Pip a visit. Pip finally recognizes him as the convict whom he had met on the marshes. He reveals his identity as Pip’s secret benefactor. The man explains that his work as a sheep rancher in Australia had paid for Pip’s education and says that he is proud of Pip.

Pip, however, is disappointed because he now realizes that Miss. Havisham is not his benefactor. Upon learning that the man is a fugitive, Pip locks him in the spare bedroom he had let him spend the night in. He is overcome with guilt for ignoring Biddy and Joe.

Chapter 40

Pip learns that the convict’s name is Abel Magwitch. To conceal the convict’s identity from the servants, Pip calls him “Uncle Provis.” Magwitch had created this alias for himself on the ship back to England. Mr. Jaggers confirms that Magwitch is indeed Pip’s benefactor, whereas Magwitch reveals that his plan is to stay with Pip for good and show the colonial judges that he has managed to make Pip a gentleman. Pip is embarrassed by his benefactor’s lack of class and propriety.

Analysis of Chapters 31- 40

These chapters focus on Pip’s personal growth. He begins to feel guilty for mistreating his family and friends. Pip is also terribly disappointed to learn that Miss. Havisham is not his benefactor. The revelation that his benefactor is a runaway convict makes Pip question the value of social status in life.

Pip also realizes that his preoccupation with Estella is unhealthy, but he’s unable to forget her. He feels he might never be good enough to marry Estella. His decision to invest in Herbert’s business is a reflection of his kindness and goodness. Though he is disappointed that his benefactor is a runaway convict, Pip nonetheless finds himself questioning his tendency to judge people on the basis of appearance, education, and social status.