Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Author: Charles Dickens

Published: 1861
Novel. 

On Christmas Eve, around 1812, Pip, a seven-year-old orphan, encounters an escaped convict in the village churchyard while visiting the graves of his mother, father and siblings. 

The convict scares Pip into stealing food and a file to grind away his shackles, from the home he shares with his abusive older sister and her husband. The next day, soldiers recapture the convict while he is engaged in a fight with another escaped convict.

Miss Havisham, a wealthy spinster who wears an old wedding dress and lives in the dilapidated Satis House, asks Pip's Uncle Pumblechook to find a boy to visit. Pip visits Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter Estella, falling in love with her on first sight, both quite young. 

Pip starts visiting Miss Havisham regularly until it comes time for him to learn a trade; Joe accompanies Pip for the last visit when she gives the money for Pop to be bound as apprentice blacksmith. Pip settles into learning Joe's trade. When both are away from the house, Mrs. Joe is brutally attacked, leaving her unable to speak or do her work. 

Four years into Pip's apprenticeship, Mr. Jaggers, a lawyer, approaches him in the village with the news that he has expectations from an anonymous benefactor, with immediate funds to train him in the gentlemanly arts. He will not know the benefactor's name until that person speaks up. Pip is to leave for London in the proper clothes.

He assumes that Miss Havisham is his benefactor. 

Pip goes to Hammersmith, to be educated by Mr. Matthew Pocket. Jagger disburses the money Pip needs to set himself up in his new life. Joe visits Pip, and he feels ashamed. 

A week after he turns 23 years old, Pip learns that his benefactor is the convict from so long ago, Abel Magwitch, who had been transported to New South Wales after the escape. He became wealthy after gaining his freedom there.

As long as he is out of England, he can live. But he returns to see Pip, who was his motivation for all his success in New South Wales. 

Eleven years later, Pip visits the ruins of Satis House and meets Estella, widow to the abusive Bentley Drummle. She asks Pip to forgive her, assuring him that misfortune has opened her heart and that she now empathizes with Pip. 

Characters: 

Philip Pirrip

Joe Gargery

Mrs. Joe Gargery (Georgiana Maria)

Mr. Pumblechook

Miss Havisham

Estella

Matthew Pocket

Herbert Pocket

Cousin Raymond

Georgiana

Sarah Pocket

The Convict (Abel Magwitch/Provis/Mr. Campbell)

Mr. Hubble

Mrs. Hubble

Biddy

Mr. Jaggers

John Wemmick

Molly

Compeyson

Arthur Havisham

Dolge Orlick

Bentley Drummle