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Great Expectations
novel by Dickens
WRITTEN BY

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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they
have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by
working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
See Article History
 ARTICLE CONTENTS

Great Expectations, novel by Charles Dickens, first published serially

in All the Year Round in 1860–61 and issued in book form in 1861. The
classic novel was one of its author’s greatest critical and popular
successes. It chronicles the coming of age of the orphan Pip while also
addressing such issues as social class and human worth.
Martita Hunt (Miss Havisham) and Anthony Wager (Pip) in the 1946 film version
of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations.© 1946 Universal International Pictures;
photograph from a private collection

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BRITANNICA QUIZ

Name the Novelist

Who wrote  The Bluest Eye and Beloved?

Summary
Pip (Philip Pirrip) narrates the tale from an unspecified time in the future.
He grows up in the marshlands of Kent, where he lives with his
disagreeable sister and her sweet-natured husband, the blacksmith Joe
Gargery. While visiting his family members’ graves in the churchyard, the
young Pip encounters Abel Magwitch, an escaped convict. Pip brings him
food and a file, but the fugitive and Compeyson—his former partner in
crime and a supposed gentleman who is now his enemy—are soon caught.
Later Pip is requested to pay visits to Miss Havisham, a woman driven
half-mad years earlier by her lover’s departure on their wedding day.
Living with Miss Havisham at Satis House is her adopted
daughter, Estella, whom she is teaching to torment men with her beauty.
Pip, at first cautious, later falls in love with Estella, who does not return
his affection. He grows increasing ashamed of his humble background
and hopes to become a gentleman, in part to win over Estella. However,
he is disappointed when he instead becomes Joe’s apprentice.

Watch dramatized scenes of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations with literary

commentary by Clifton FadimanEditor and anthologist Clifton Fadiman
introducing dramatized scenes from Dickens's Great Expectations, establishing
the setting, characters, shape, and themes of this classic novel. This video is a
1962 production of Encyclopædia Britannica Educational
Corporation.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.See all videos for this article
Several years later a lawyer named Mr. Jaggers appears and informs Pip
that an anonymous benefactor has made it possible for him to go to
London for an education; Pip believes that the money is from Miss
Havisham, who does not dissuade him of the notion. Once in London, Pip
is taught to be a gentleman by Matthew Pocket and his son Herbert, the
latter of whom Pip met years earlier at Satis House. Also receiving
instruction is the slow-witted and unlikable Bentley Drummle.

The increasingly snobbish Pip is later horrified to discover that his

mysterious benefactor is Magwitch. Not only is Magwitch in danger of
being arrested, Pip’s social standing is threatened. Pip reveals the
situation to Herbert, and it is decided that Magwitch and Pip should leave
England. Before departing, Pip visits Satis House, where he confronts
Miss Havisham for letting him believe she was his patron. He also
professes his love to Estella, who rejects him. Knowing that Drummle is
pursuing her, Pip warns her about him, but she announces that she plans
to marry him. Pip subsequently makes several startling discoveries,
notably that Magwitch is Estella’s father and that Compeyson was Miss
Havisham’s lover. He also grows close to Magwitch, whom he comes to
respect.

HomeLiteratureNovels & Short Stories

Great Expectations
novel by Dickens
WRITTEN BY

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they
have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by
working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
See Article History
 ARTICLE CONTENTS
Great Expectations, novel by Charles Dickens, first published serially
in All the Year Round in 1860–61 and issued in book form in 1861. The
classic novel was one of its author’s greatest critical and popular
successes. It chronicles the coming of age of the orphan Pip while also
addressing such issues as social class and human worth.

Martita Hunt (Miss Havisham) and Anthony Wager (Pip) in the 1946 film
version of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations.© 1946 Universal International
Pictures; photograph from a private collection

¡Error! Nombre de archivo no especificado.00:0003:21

 BRITANNICA QUIZ

Name the Novelist

Who wrote  The Bluest Eye and Beloved?

Summary
Pip (Philip Pirrip) narrates the tale from an unspecified time in the future.
He grows up in the marshlands of Kent, where he lives with his
disagreeable sister and her sweet-natured husband, the blacksmith Joe
Gargery. While visiting his family members’ graves in the churchyard, the
young Pip encounters Abel Magwitch, an escaped convict. Pip brings him
food and a file, but the fugitive and Compeyson—his former partner in
crime and a supposed gentleman who is now his enemy—are soon caught.
Later Pip is requested to pay visits to Miss Havisham, a woman driven
half-mad years earlier by her lover’s departure on their wedding day.
Living with Miss Havisham at Satis House is her adopted
daughter, Estella, whom she is teaching to torment men with her beauty.
Pip, at first cautious, later falls in love with Estella, who does not return
his affection. He grows increasing ashamed of his humble background
and hopes to become a gentleman, in part to win over Estella. However,
he is disappointed when he instead becomes Joe’s apprentice.
Watch dramatized scenes of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations with
literary commentary by Clifton FadimanEditor and anthologist Clifton
Fadiman introducing dramatized scenes from Dickens's Great
Expectations, establishing the setting, characters, shape, and themes of
this classic novel. This video is a 1962 production of Encyclopædia
Britannica Educational Corporation.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.See all videos
for this article
Several years later a lawyer named Mr. Jaggers appears and informs Pip
that an anonymous benefactor has made it possible for him to go to
London for an education; Pip believes that the money is from Miss
Havisham, who does not dissuade him of the notion. Once in London, Pip
is taught to be a gentleman by Matthew Pocket and his son Herbert, the
latter of whom Pip met years earlier at Satis House. Also receiving
instruction is the slow-witted and unlikable Bentley Drummle.

The increasingly snobbish Pip is later horrified to discover that his

mysterious benefactor is Magwitch. Not only is Magwitch in danger of
being arrested, Pip’s social standing is threatened. Pip reveals the
situation to Herbert, and it is decided that Magwitch and Pip should leave
England. Before departing, Pip visits Satis House, where he confronts
Miss Havisham for letting him believe she was his patron. He also
professes his love to Estella, who rejects him. Knowing that Drummle is
pursuing her, Pip warns her about him, but she announces that she plans
to marry him. Pip subsequently makes several startling discoveries,
notably that Magwitch is Estella’s father and that Compeyson was Miss
Havisham’s lover. He also grows close to Magwitch, whom he comes to
respect.

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As Pip and Magwitch attempt to leave London via a boat, the police and
Compeyson arrive. The two convicts end up fighting in the Thames, and
only Magwitch surfaces; Compeyson’s body is later recovered. The injured
Magwitch is arrested, convicted, and dies awaiting execution. A
despondent Pip is arrested because of his debts, but his failing health
prevents him from being jailed. Joe subsequently arrives and nurses Pip
back to health. Joe also informs him that Miss Havisham has died. After
Joe leaves, Pip discovers that his brother-in-law has paid all of his bills.
Pip later accepts a job offer at the Cairo branch of Herbert’s firm, and he
enjoys a simple but content life. After more than 10 years away, he returns
to England and visits the place where Satis House once stood. There he
encounters Estella, who is now a widow. As they leave, Pip takes her hand,
believing that they will not part again.

Analysis
Great Expectations works on a number of levels: as a critique of Victorian
society and as an exploration of memory and writing. However, it is
perhaps more importantly a search for true identity. During the course of
the novel, Pip comes to realize that his “great expectations”—social
standing and wealth—are less important than loyalty and
compassion. Great Expectations was also noted for its blend of humour,
mystery, and tragedy. In the original ending of the work, Pip and Estella
were not reunited, but Dickens was persuaded to write a happier
conclusion.
 Dickens, CharlesCharles Dickens.Pixtal/age fotostock
The novel was an immediate success upon its publication in the
1860s. George Bernard Shaw notably hailed it as Dickens’s “most
compactly perfect book.” Great Expectations inspired
numerous adaptations, including an acclaimed 1946 film directed
by David Lean.