Summary

The novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is a story about a boy Pip who tries to find his way through the maze into adulthood. Pip comes from a very low social class and isn’t ashamed of it until he meets Mrs. Hamisham and her adopted daughter Estella. Once Pip is faced with their censure and disapproval, he feels embarrassed by his social status and by his family and friends. Once Pip is faced with this, he spends much of his time educating himself and playing at the Satis House (Mrs. Hamisham’s home) in hope that Mrs. Hamisham will raise him from his low social standings and give him a gentleman’s fortune. As Pip sets himself on his greater hopes, he lets go of his family and friends; which is contradicted by his guilt. Even though Pip is usually quite condescending while he is around Joe and Biddy (Pip’s brother-in-law and friend), once they leave he feels terrible for treating them like that. This novel depicts the problem, while also teaching the lesson. The lesson being that while you should try to reach for higher goals, one should also learn to be content with what they have.