What is 'Great Expectations'?

Great Expectations , a novel by Charles Dickens , was first published serially in All the Year Round in 1860–61 and issued as a book in 1861. The classic novel chronicles the coming of age of the orphan Pip while addressing social class and human worth. During the novel, Pip realizes that social standing and wealth are less important than loyalty and compassion. Pip narrates the tale, which begins in the marshlands of Kent, where he lives with his disagreeable sister and her sweet-natured husband, Joe Gargery. Later in life, Pip is taught to be a gentleman by Matthew Pocket and his son Herbert. The increasingly snobbish Pip is horrified to discover that his mysterious benefactor is Magwitch. Great Expectations blends humor, mystery, and tragedy. The novel was an immediate success upon its publication in the 1860s.

Who wrote 'Great Expectations'?

Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens , initially released as a serial between 1860 and 1861 before being published as a book in 1861. The novel follows Pip's journey into adulthood, exploring themes of social class and personal value. Great Expectations is known for its combination of humor, mystery, and tragedy. The story follows Pip, an orphan, as he navigates life-changing events and realizes the importance of loyalty and compassion, which are more valuable than wealth and social status.

Who is the main character in 'Great Expectations'?

Pip, whose full name is Philip Pirrip, is the main character in Charles Dickens's novel, Great Expectations . The novel tells the story of Pip's growth and development as a young orphan in the marshlands of Kent. Pip encounters an escaped convict named Abel Magwitch, who later becomes his secret benefactor, allowing Pip to pursue his dreams of becoming a gentleman. Throughout the novel, Pip's journey becomes a search for true identity, realizing that loyalty and compassion are more important than social standing and wealth.

What is the main plot or story in 'Great Expectations'?

Great Expectations tells the story of Pip, an orphan in rural England. He helps an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch, and later visits Miss Havisham, a woman jilted on her wedding day, and falls in love with her adopted daughter, Estella. Pip dreams of becoming a gentleman to win Estella's love and is thrilled when an anonymous benefactor funds his education in London. In London, Pip learns that his benefactor is Magwitch, which threatens Pip's social standing and puts Magwitch in danger. Pip plans to help Magwitch escape the country, but the plan fails, and Magwitch is fatally wounded. Pip then discovers that Magwitch is Estella's father. In the end, Pip declares his love for Estella, and she leaves Miss Havisham's house. Through these experiences, Pip realizes that loyalty and compassion are more important than wealth and social status.

What are some important themes in 'Great Expectations'?

Great Expectations explores themes of social class, identity, and personal growth. Pip's journey reveals that true worth lies in compassion and loyalty, not social status or wealth. As Pip pursues his "great expectations," he learns that his benefactor is the convict Magwitch, not Miss Havisham, challenging his snobbish assumptions. Despite Estella's rejection and his own changing fortunes, Pip confronts Miss Havisham and ultimately finds a simple, content life, realizing the importance of genuine connections over superficial aspirations.

How does Pip's character change throughout the novel?

In Great Expectations , Pip's character undergoes significant transformation. Initially, he is a humble and innocent young boy living in the marshlands, but after he receives great expectations , he becomes increasingly snobbish and ashamed of his humble background, hoping to become a gentleman to win over Estella. However, Pip eventually realizes that social standing and wealth are less important than loyalty and compassion. This realization occurs after he discovers that his benefactor is the convict Magwitch, whom he grows to respect. By the end of the novel, Pip matures, shedding his snobbery and embracing true values.

Great Expectations

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Images & Videos

Martita Hunt as Miss Havisham sits in a decaying, cobweb-covered dining room beside a young boy in a scene from the 1946 film Great Expectations, directed by David Lean.

Watch dramatized scenes of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations with literary commentary by Clifton Fadiman

Portrait of Charles Dickens seated at a desk, writing with a quill pen, dressed in a suit with a bow tie.

Illustration of Joe Gargery standing with clenched fists in a smithy, a man cowering on the floor, and Pip working at the forge in the background, from Great Expectations.

Great Expectations

novel by Dickens

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 13, 2026 •History

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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