Summary of Great Expectations 

"But yours cannot be dismissed; indeed, my dear, dear Handel, it must not be dismissed. I wish you would enter on it now, as far as a few friendly words go, with me."
"I will," said I.
"In this branch-house of ours, Handel, we must have a--"
I saw that his delicacy was avoiding the right word, so I said, "A clerk"


Once Pip can no longer use Magwitches money, Herbert gives him a simple job. Pip realizes that he doesn't need to have lots of wealth but he does need his friends and family.

"Many a time of an evening, when I sat alone looking at the fire, I thought, after all, there was no fire like the forge fire and the kitchen fire at home."

Pip realizes that even though he has such nicer things then he had before, he still doesn't feel as comfortable then he did in a much less luxurious home. 

"But I felt as if the kiss was given to the coarse common boy as a piece of money might have been, and that it was worth nothing" pg. 91

Even though Pip got to kiss the girl he really loved, he still felt common. Is Pip only feeling common because he isn't as rich as Estella? 

"...but I wish you hadn't taught me to call knaves at card jacks; and I wish my boots weren't so thick nor my hands so coarse." pg 68

Pip is talking to Joe about his trip to the Satis house, but once he starts talking he can't help but bring up how disappointed he is with his life. Pip is certain that if he had more money and left his job helping Joe in the blacksmith that he would be much happier.

Chapter One of Great Expectations

The author of Great Expectations, Charles Dickens.

The cover page of Great Expectations.