Great Expectations

Pip makes plans to return to his hometown and meet with Miss Havisham the next day. At first, he contemplates staying with Joe, but he quickly makes excuses for staying at the Blue Boar Inn instead.

Stagecoaches are used to carry convicts to the dockyards, and they often ride on the roofs. Two convicts must travel in Pip’s stagecoach, as there is no room on the roof. Pip is anxious. The two convicts converse about a man they met in prison who had asked them to discover the identity of a boy who had fed him. Pip realizes that they are referring to him and his convict from childhood. The convicts don’t know he’s the boy they’re speaking of. 

The next morning, Pip wakes up early and kills time on the wealthy side of town. Pip reasons that because Miss Havisham adopted Estella and is his benefactor, she must intend to bring the two of them together. He also reflects on the power of his love for Estella: He loves her irresistibly and against his better judgement. When he arrives at Miss Havisham’s, Orlick greets him at the door. Orlick explains that his job is to hold the gate open. When Pip asks, “Are you here for good?” he replies, “I ain't here for harm, young master, I suppose?” (524).

Miss Havisham excitedly welcomes Pip. Pip doesn’t recognize Estella at first, but he is amazed at how beautiful and elegant she is. Miss Havisham greedily asks Pip to describe Estella and Pip complies, remarking on her beauty and manners. Estella, likewise, says that Pip has changed and now appears less common. They speak of Estella’s travels and studies in France.

Estella leads Pip out to the garden. The two of them recall the day when Pip fought Herbert. Estella confesses that she enjoyed the match. Pip explains that he and Herbert are now friends, and Estella haughtily remarks that it’s good Pip is in new company as he’s no longer fit for his former companions. Estella condescendingly tells Pip that she has no heart or softness, but Pip doesn’t believe her.

When Pip returns to Miss Havisham’s room, she eagerly beckons him close to her, telling him to love Estella, as that’s what she’s raised Estella for. She elaborates that real love is “blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation, utter submission” (540).

Pip goes to take a walk around his old hometown. Several residents stare at him, and some tradespeople even follow him down the street. Trabb’s son and his young friends go so far as to follow Pip, chanting, “Don't know yah!” (554). Pip is relieved when the coach picks him up to take him back to London.

While dining with Hebert that evening, Pip tells him he is in love with Estella. Herbert replies that he already knows this, as it was evident in his story. Pip then bemoans Estella’s apparent unattainability. Herbert urges him to be patient, suggesting that if Pip weren’t meant to marry her, Jaggers wouldn’t be involved. Herbert warns Pip, however, that he thinks Estella might not be the most desirable partner due to her upbringing. Pip attests that he understands, but he cannot “detach” himself from his longing for Estella. Herbert, on the other hand, is engaged to a London woman named Clara, whom his mother’s family thinks is below him. They will marry when he’s saved enough money. The two young go to see Mr. Wopsle in his latest London play, Hamlet

Pip and Herbert go to see Wopsle’s play. It is not a very high-quality production, and the young gentlemen laugh. After the show, they go to see Mr. Wopsle backstage. Mr. Wopsle is proud that Pip came to see him, now that Pip is a gentleman, but he is embarrassed by the performance. He bemoans the drunkenness of a fellow performer and the rudeness of a heckler in the audience. Pip feels sorry for Mr. Wopsle and invites him out to supper.

That night, Pip feels miserable as he tries to sleep, wrapped up in thoughts of Estella.

Pip receives a letter from Estella by post. The letter simply and directly states that she is coming to see him in London the next day. Pip is excited and anxious about this visit. The next day, Pip arrives ridiculously early to wait for Estella’s coach. Wemmick runs into Pip while he’s waiting and cheerfully asks if he’d like to come to Newgate with him where he’s seeing a client who is charged with robbery. Pip is eager to distract himself from Estella’s impending arrival, so he comes along.

Pip describes Newgate as ugly and depressing. It is visiting time when Wemmick arrives, and Pip remarks that Wemmick appears to be “highly popular” while drawing firm boundaries between his friendly disposition and his business manner. When a few prisoners express that they don’t like the hike in fees, Wemmick backs away saying that they need to take it up with Jaggers.

Wemmick shakes hands with his client, a portly Colonel, and asks him if he might have some of the Colonel’s pigeons. As they leave, Wemmick explains that this is “portable property,” and it’s how Wemmick supplements his income. The pair split off from one another at Jaggers’s office. Soon after, Pip meets Estella’s coach.

As usual, Estella’s beauty impresses Pip. He also notes that Estella seems like she’s being kinder to him than before and suspects this has something to do with Miss Havisham’s secret plans of their engagement. Estella directs him to take her to Richmond on a carriage and pay the driver with money from her purse. She insists that he take her purse because they are bound to their instructions.

When Pip asks what Estella is going to do at Richmond, she explains that she will live with a wealthy lady who plans to introduce her to equally wealthy gentlemen with the objective of marrying her off. Pip naturally objects to this arrangement, pointing out that Estella speaks of herself coldly and detachedly. Estella bemusedly explains that everyone must learn to speak in their “own way,” suggesting that the training Pip receives from Mr. Pocket is no different from her own womanly training. Estella furthermore suggests that Pip should not be so trusting of people, explaining that—excepting Matthew Pocket—the Pocket family reports bad things about Pip to Miss Havisham.

As Pip takes her hand and kisses it, Estella criticizes him for being a “ridiculous boy,” asking if he kisses her hand with the same contempt as he kissed her cheek. Then, she matter-of-factly orders him to take her to Richmond. Pip feels like they are both “mere puppets.”

Pip sees Estella off, asking if he can come visit her. She coolly replies that he can when proper. Pip marvels that Miss Havisham could part with her again so soon, and Estella tells him that her journey to Richmond—and search for a husband—is all part of Miss Havisham’s plan.