Who Pip is
Pip grows up with his harsh older sister and her husband, Joe Gargery, a gentle village blacksmith. Joe treats him as a friend, offering warmth in a household where Pip often feels frightened and guilty. An encounter with an escaped convict on the marshes gives Pip a secret he carries beyond childhood.
What Pip wants
Pip wants to rise above the life he knows, especially after meeting Estella at Miss Havisham's Satis House. Estella mocks his rough hands and thick boots, making him see his familiar world with new shame. He imagines that becoming a gentleman will make him worthy of her love.
How Pip changes
When Mr Jaggers brings an offer from an unnamed benefactor, Pip eagerly leaves the village for London. He assumes Miss Havisham is behind his fortune, though the lawyer gives him no reason to be certain. As he learns fashionable manners and spends beyond his means, he becomes embarrassed by Joe's unpolished ways.
Pip and the others in the story
Joe's steady affection contrasts with Estella's distance, but Pip struggles to value the love already around him. His friend Biddy questions his ambitions, while Herbert Pocket teaches him city manners with kindness rather than scorn.
Questions
Who is Pip in Great Expectations?
Pip is an orphan whose sudden change of fortune takes him from a village forge to a gentleman's life in London.
Why does Pip want to become a gentleman?
He hopes a higher social position will overcome Estella's contempt and help him win her love.
Is Pip a good or bad person?
Pip is neither simply good nor simply bad. His shame and ambition lead him to neglect people who care for him, even while his conscience troubles him.