1. Great Expectations genre: novel author: Charles Dickens
setting: London, England and nearby small village; 1840s-1860s

2. Pip (Philip Pirrip) orphan
age 7 at start; events follow him until adulthood
characterized as a complicated, realistic young person: generous and kind, but sensitive to his place in society; can be selfish in quest for improvement

3. significant characters:
Joe Gargery—Pip’s brother-in-law, best friend, and substitute father
Mrs. Joe—Pip’s sister
Miss Havisham—eccentric rich woman in Pip’s home village
Estella—Miss H’s adopted daughter
Magwitch—a convict and Pip’s benefactor
Herbert Pocket—Pip’s best friend in London

4. minor characters: Biddy—good friend of Pip’s back home
Mr. Jaggers—lawyer; Pip’s guardian
Wemmick—clerk for Jaggers; befriends and helps Pip
Mr. Pumblechook—Joe’s uncle; introduces Pip to Miss H
Compeyson—Magwitch’s partner in crime; also man who jilted Miss H

5. significant elements:
an internal conflict for Pip
Pip struggles to accept himself
person v. society
Dickens criticizes social class structure
told in first person (reflective)
allows Pip to emphasize certain events
Pip is in control of details; he offers criticism and commentary

6. significant events: Pip (age 7) helps an escaped convict
he begins visits to Miss H; realizes that others look down on his social class
becomes Joe’s apprentice but wants more
learns of his expectations
moves to London to be educated and exposed to upper class society (~15)
turns his back on Joe

7. more events: arranges to help Herbert start in business
meets his benefactor, Magwitch (Pip is 23)
confronts Miss H; Estella marries
plans to sneak Magwitch out of country
Miss H agrees to help Herbert; Pip saves her from fire
Compeyson turns in Magwitch

8. even more events:
Magwitch is severely injured and is sent to jail; Pip remains by his side
Magwitch dies—Pip is left penniless
Pip becomes very ill; Joe cares for him
Pip learns that Joe paid his debts
Joe and Biddy marry
Pip works for Herbert and pays back debt
resolution: Pip learns to accept himself

9. literary techniques: characterization of Pip irony
generally kind and generous
critical of himself; selfish but sensitive to treatment of others
dynamic character
irony
Pip’s benefactor is a convict not an upper class person
Pip left Joe for someone less respected
Miss H’s plans for revenge leave her sad and lonely

10. more techniques: symbolism Satis House = Enough House
decayed state of house represents life of characters who are not satisfied with what they have
Miss Havisham
Pip
Estella
also an irony

11. themes:
People should be valued for who they are, not based on social status.
A true friend will be stay by your side and accept you despite your flaws.
While seeking a goal, you should not take for granted what you already have.
Love and friendship are more important than money.