Great Expectations Summary

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Here you will find a Great Expectations summary (Charles Dickens's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Great Expectations Summary Overview

Living in the marshlands of Kent as an orphan with his sister and her husband, Pip one day finds himself being ordered by a menacing escaped convict to fetch him food and a tool for his shackles. Though Pip nervously complies, the convict is recaptured but shields Pip by claiming he stole the items himself. Then, Pip starts visiting Satis House, the residence of the bizarre, aristocratic Miss Havisham, who permanently wears her bridal dress and has halted all her clocks. It's here he meets the aloof Estella, who despite her cold demeanor, captivates Pip, triggering dreams of wealth and refinement to win her over. However, his dreams shatter when he is assigned to become a laborer under Miss Havisham's instruction. Discontented, Pip works under his blacksmith brother-in-law, Joe, while being tormented by the spiteful laborer, Orlick. Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe, is violently assaulted, leaving her a mute invalid, with Orlick being Pip's prime suspect. Suddenly, a lawyer named Jaggers brings an unexpected revelation of a mystery benefactor who wishes Pip to be educated as a gentleman in London. Elated, Pip presumes Miss Havisham to be his benefactor, with the intention of him marrying Estella. In London, Pip befriends Herbert Pocket and studies under his father, Matthew Pocket, while also aiding Herbert with his business. Pip's life takes another turn when his convict from years ago, Magwitch, appears, revealing that he is Pip's actual benefactor, touched by Pip's past kindness. Shocked yet morally obliged, Pip assists Magwitch in evading the London police and Compeyson, Magwitch's ex-accomplice. Pip discovers that not only was Compeyson the man who jilted Miss Havisham, but Estella is also Magwitch's daughter, raised to break men's hearts as Miss Havisham's revenge for her own heartbreak. Eventually, Pip starts to see the goodness in Magwitch and cares for him. After Miss Havisham's accident that leaves her bedridden, Pip and his friends plan to spirit away Magwitch. However, their plan is thwarted by the police, and Pip loses his fortune as Magwitch dies. After being nursed back to health by his brother-in-law Joe and hearing about the recent happenings back home, Pip decides to join Herbert in the mercantile trade. Years later, he meets Estella again, who is now a widow, and they part on good terms, with Pip hoping they will stay together.

chapter 1

Philip Pirrip, unable to articulate his name as a toddler, started calling himself "Pip" and that nickname stayed. Now, Pip, a young orphan, stays at his sister's place in the marshy region of southeast England. One dusk, Pip finds himself in the remote village graveyard, contemplating his parents' gravestones. Suddenly, a terrifying man, grungy, clothed in tatters, and chained at the leg, appears out of nowhere, taking Pip by surprise. The runaway convict interrogates Pip harshly, demanding that Pip fetch him food and a file to cut through his leg shackles.

chapter 2

Pip, intimidated into submission, rushes to his home where his domineering sister and amiable brother-in-law, Joe Gargery the blacksmith, reside. He manages to hide some bread and butter within his clothing but struggles to leave promptly. On Christmas Eve, Pip is obligated to prepare the festive pudding throughout the night. His sister, referred to by Pip as Mrs. Joe, storms around the house threatening both Pip and Joe with her cane, dubbed Tickler, and a bitter drink known as tar-water. At the break of dawn, Pip quietly heads to the larder to take some brandy (later we discover he accidentally fills it back up with tar-water) and a pork pie for the prisoner. He then covertly goes to Joe's forgery to take a file. Silently, he makes his way back to the marshes to find the prisoner.

chapter 3

Regrettably, Pip stumbles upon a different fugitive in the marshes before finding the original one. The new escapee tries to attack Pip before running off. Once Pip locates the initial convict, he discovers him in a pitiful state—wet, cold, starving. While Pip shows compassion, the convict turns aggressive upon learning about the other runaway Pip met in the marsh, seemingly disturbed by the information. As the fugitive attempts to remove his leg irons with the file, Pip seizes the opportunity to escape the fog-filled marshes and heads home.

chapter 4

Pip, feeling guilty after aiding the convict, is filled with dread as he approaches Joe's home, half-expecting a policeman to be waiting for him. However, he arrives to find only Mrs. Joe preparing Christmas dinner. Pip and Joe share a solitary breakfast before heading to church, leaving Mrs. Joe behind despite her penchant for moral lectures. Pip's Christmas dinner is an uncomfortable event, as he's jammed into a corner of the table by his affluent Uncle Pumblechook and the church clerk, Mr. Wopsle. Pip's fear of being found out for his nighttime escapade grows when Pumblechook requests the brandy, only to find the bottle filled with tar-water instead. Pip's fear escalates to sheer panic when police officers suddenly storm into the house, brandishing a pair of handcuffs.

chapter 5

Pip believes the approaching officers are there to apprehend him, yet they merely need Joe's assistance in mending their handcuffs. The clumsy cops inform Pip and Joe about their pursuit of two fugitive prisoners, prompting both to join the chase. Seeing the officers, Pip inexplicably worries for the convict he's acquainted with. They eventually find the two escapees in the marsh, engaging in a bitter fight. Trapped and caught, Pip's convict shields Pip by admitting to stealing the food and file himself. The convict is then transported to a jail ship, seemingly exiting Pip's life permanently, or so Pip presumes.

chapter 6

Pip is brought home by Joe, where they wrap up their festive meal. As Pip drifts off to sleep, Joe tells Mrs. Joe and their visitors about the criminal's capture. Pip's guilt continues to weigh on him, not for his sister's sake but because he's been withholding the whole truth from Joe.

chapter 7

Following the past incident, Pip continues his life with a sense of guilt, and he's challenged by his education at Mrs. Wopsle’s establishment. He makes friends with Biddy, the teacher's granddaughter. During a conversation with Joe, the unlettered blacksmith admires Pip’s recent work in literacy. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook break into the scene. With great joy, they announce that Pumblechook managed to get Pip a chance to visit the home of the affluent single woman, Miss Havisham. They have a hidden desire that she might help improve Pip’s financial status. To prepare Pip for the visit, they decide to have him stay with Pumblechook for a day before heading to Miss Havisham's. After a rushed bath and a change into his formal clothes, Pip is whisked away by Pumblechook.

chapter 8

Pumblechook quizzes Pip on his multiplication tables over breakfast before he is escorted to Miss Havisham's residence, Satis House. He is met at the locked gate by a small yet stunning girl who is impolite to Pumblechook, and ushers him away as she brings Pip inside. She guides him through the grand, yet gloomy mansion to Miss Havisham's room, lit by candles. Miss Havisham is an elderly figure, dressed in a withered bridal gown, surrounded by clocks frozen at twenty minutes to nine as she sits by her mirror. The girl departs and Miss Havisham instructs Pip to play. Pip confesses that he's too overwhelmed by the mansion's splendor to play. However, Miss Havisham insists he fetch the girl, named Estella, for a game of cards. Estella, who is aloof and disrespectful, mocks Pip's social standing and crude manners. Despite this, Miss Havisham seems to derive a twisted pleasure in noticing Pip's enchantment with Estella. Pip leaves the mansion in tears.

chapter 9

Once back at home, Pip fabricates a fantastical tale about his visit to Satis House for Joe, Mrs. Joe, and Pumblechook. He spins a yarn involving Estella serving him cake and huge dogs scrabbling for veal cutlet. However, guilt overcomes him and he discloses the truth to Joe in the forge later. Learning about Pip's lie stuns Joe, who then counsels him to stay among his own social rank for now, and emphasizes that honesty is the only way to achievement. Though Pip intends to heed Joe's advice, he can't help picturing how "common" Joe would appear to Estella, as he reflects on the splendor of his time at Satis House.

chapter 10

Pip perseveres in his studies, motivated by a newfound aspiration for knowledge and status. His astute friend Biddy provides additional tutoring. That same day, he spots an enigmatic man at the inn, using the identical file Pip had pilfered for the fugitive, to stir his drink. This unknown man gifts Pip two pounds, which he subsequently passes to Mrs. Joe. Pip's anxiety persists, haunted by the fear his assistance to the convict could be exposed.

chapter 11

Following his strange meeting with the man at the bar, Pip is ushered back to Miss Havisham's home. He is displayed to her insincere relatives who are there to celebrate her birthday. Pip crosses paths with a large, intimidating man who admonishes him on the stairs. Later, he again shares a card game with Estella before they move to the garden. Here, a pale young man challenges him to a fight. Pip, surprising himself, manages to overpower the young man. Estella then permits Pip to plant a kiss on her cheek. However, he goes home feeling disgraced as he believes Estella despises him.

chapter 12

Pip fears repercussions for his fight, yet no one mentions it during his visit to Miss Havisham's. Over ensuing months, he assists Miss Havisham in her wheelchair, cherishes moments with Estella, and grows hopeful of a dramatic social elevation, possibly to a gentlemanly status, courtesy of Miss Havisham. Oblivious to Miss Havisham's manipulation of Estella who she instructs to "Break their hearts!", Pip starts drifting from his family. He shares his thoughts with Biddy rather than Joe and is often embarrassed by Joe's "common" status. When Miss Havisham proposes to handle the papers for Pip's apprenticeship to Joe, Pip feels shattered upon understanding that she never intended to raise him to a gentleman's rank.

chapter 13

Joe makes an awkward visit to the grand Satis House to finalize Pip's blacksmith training papers. His coarse manners and shabby looks stick out like a sore thumb in the grandiose mansion. Estella and Pip are the subject of her mockery. A sum of twenty-five pounds is handed over to Pip by Miss Havisham as a gift. Following this, Pip and Joe head over to the Town Hall to validate the apprenticeship. A small get-together is organized by Joe and Mrs. Joe for Pip, Mr. Wopsle, and Pumblechook to commemorate the occasion. However, Pip is far from being cheerful. He is grumpy and annoyed, feeling disheartened by this unexpected twist in his life.

chapter 14

As Pip transitions into his teenage years, he starts working at Joe's smithy. Despite his dissatisfaction with the job, he hides his true feelings, not wanting to upset the kind-hearted Joe. While toiling away, he often daydreams about Estella, haunted by visions of her scornful face and reminiscing about his time at Satis House.

chapter 15

Pip diligently continues his studies, even trying to tutor Joe on Sundays. Despite Joe's muddled warnings to avoid Miss Havisham, Pip decides to follow his own instincts. He also deals with Joe's fellow blacksmith, Orlick, who frequently harasses him and made his younger years terrifying. One day, after a verbal brawl between Orlick and Mrs. Joe, Joe intervenes and wins a physical fight, causing Mrs. Joe to faint from the thrill. When Pip goes to see Miss Havisham, he finds out that Estella has been sent overseas, which disappoints him greatly. That evening, he joins Wopsle at Pumblechook’s, where they read from a play to pass time. On his way back, Pip spots Orlick lurking in the dark, and hears the sound of guns firing from prison ships. When he gets home, he finds out that Mrs. Joe has been gravely assaulted and is now mentally impaired.

chapter 16

Pip is consumed by guilt once more upon hearing that convicts, specifically ones with filed-through leg chains, are pinpointed as suspects for his sister’s assault. The investigators from London prove to be incompetent and the perpetrator's identity remains a mystery. Mrs. Joe, now mute, repetitively scribbles the letter "T" on her slate. Pip interprets this as a hammer symbol, leading Biddy to infer she’s indicating Orlick. Orlick is summoned to meet Mrs. Joe and instead of accusing him, Pip observes her consistent attempts to appease him. She repeatedly requests his presence in the following days by sketching a “T” on her slate.

chapter 17

Biddy arrives to assist in caring for Mrs. Joe. On his return to Satis House, Pip observes its gloom without Estella's presence. During a Sunday stroll with Biddy, he admits his discontentment regarding his standing in society. While there appears to be an romantic interest in Biddy, Pip reveals his deep affection for Estella. Biddy's suggestion to avoid Estella annoys Pip, but he can't help feeling envious when Orlick initiates flirtations with her.

chapter 18

During an evening at the tavern, Pip listens to Wopsle recite a murder trial news from a paper. An unknown man scrutinizes Wopsle about the case's legal specifics. Pip identifies him as the mysterious, large man he previously encountered in Miss Havisham's house (Chapter 11). The man reveals himself as Jaggers, a lawyer, and accompanies Pip and Joe back home. He informs Pip that he's about to inherit a substantial wealth and will be given an immediate gentleman’s education. He adds that Pip will relocate to London to become a gentleman, but the identity of the benefactor must be kept secret. Pip's most cherished dream is coming true. He suspects Miss Havisham as his benefactor, considering he met Jaggers first at her home and Matthew Pocket, her cousin, will be his tutor. Upon hearing the news, Joe appears dejected and politely declines Jaggers's patronizing money offer. Biddy is also upset, and Pip, turning snobbish, believes he's too superior for his current environment. Yet, seeing Joe and Biddy in quiet conversation that evening, he feels a pang of regret about leaving them behind.

chapter 19

Pip's arrogance resurfaces in the morning as he lets the tailor fuss over him while getting a new suit. He even permits Pumblechook to flatter him during a dinner outing. Although he tries to console Joe, his effort comes across as insincere, attracting Biddy's criticism. Before his departure to London, Pip pays a final visit to Miss Havisham. Her thrill and awareness about his circumstances make him more certain that she is his secret patron. Following his last night at Joe's place, Pip departs for London in the morning, suddenly filled with remorse for his haughty behavior towards those who cared for him the most.

chapter 20

Jaggers escorts Pip to the bustling city of London. The rural lad finds himself both astonished and repulsed by the smells and the hordes of people in places like Smithfield. Jaggers appears influential and mighty, with masses of individuals gathered outside his office whispering his name. During this visit, Pip becomes acquainted with Jaggers’s sceptical and sarcastic assistant, Wemmick.

chapter 21

Wemmick introduces Pip to Herbert Pocket, his tutor's son, where Pip will be staying overnight. Pip and Herbert instantly get along; Herbert's positivity and straightforwardness contrasts with Pip's shy and hesitant nature. Unlike Pip, who has had his fortune handed to him, Herbert is a poor gentleman aspiring to be a shipping merchant. They're taken aback to find they've met before: Herbert is the fair-skinned young man Pip had a fight with in Satis House's garden.

chapter 22

Pip solicits Herbert's assistance in becoming a gentleman, and they decide to be roommates following a lavish meal. Herbert tactfully helps Pip improve his table etiquette, dubs him "Handel," and reveals the full account of Miss Havisham's past. She, in her youth, saw her family wealth mismanaged by her reckless half-brother and consented to marry a man of lesser social standing. This man cunningly persuaded her to purchase her half-brother's portion of the family brewery, which he intended to manage, at a hefty cost. However, on the day of their wedding, he didn't show up, opting instead to send a note that Miss Havisham received at twenty minutes to nine, a moment that would forever stop the clocks in her home. It's generally thought that her lover and her half-brother colluded to share the proceeds from the brewery sale. At some point afterwards, Miss Havisham adopted Estella, but the specifics of when or where remain unknown to Herbert.

chapter 23

Following a visit to the bustling Royal Exchange, Pip heads to Matthew Pocket's house for tutoring and supper. The Pockets' household is teeming with disorder, largely controlled by the servants. Matthew is an absent-minded yet generous man, whereas his wife, though she aspires for high social status, comes from a humble background. The children are cared for by the nurse. Joining Pip are two unusual students, Bentley Drummle, a soon-to-be baronet known for his uncouth behavior, and Startop, a gentle, sensitive young man. During the meal, Pip focuses on maintaining proper etiquette while noticing the peculiar dynamics of the Pockets' social interactions.

chapter 24

Pip goes back to Jaggers's workplace to sort out living arrangements with Herbert. He forms a friendship with the animated Wemmick and gets invited for a meal. In the courtroom, Pip observes Jaggers's formidable and intimidating presence, even managing to scare the judge with his powerful orations.

chapter 25

Pip keeps mingling with his peers and the Pockets, joining them for meals at Wemmick’s and Jaggers’s places. Wemmick’s residence is an eccentric “castle” in Walworth, where he lives with his “Aged Parent.” Pip notes a drastic change in Wemmick’s demeanor when he's at home: he's usually sceptical and unemotional at the workplace, but the moment he steps into his house, he transforms into a cheerful and lively person.

chapter 26

Jaggers' abode is rather somber and cramped, inhabited only by his melancholic housemaid, Molly. Pip is accompanied by his colleagues for a meal at Jaggers'. During the meal, Pip and Drummle engage in a dispute over a loan, which Drummle has ungratefully received from Startop. Jaggers advises Pip to maintain distance from Drummle, despite having an affinity towards the unpleasant youth himself.

chapter 27

Joe pays a visit to Pip in the city, but the meeting is tense due to Pip's concerns about Joe's judgment of his lavish living and fear of scorn from Drummle. Joe attempts to update Pip about their hometown happenings, like Wopsle's transition into acting, but Pip only shows irritation. When Joe reveals that Estella is back at Satis House and wants to meet Pip, his attitude toward Joe softens. Unfortunately, Joe departs before Pip has the chance to amend his manners.

chapter 28

Pip embarks on a journey home, intending to visit Estella and make amends with Joe. En route, he finds himself in the company of two convicts in the coach, including the enigmatic man who once handed Pip money at the pub. Despite the man's failure to recognise Pip, he unintentionally reveals to Pip that the money was actually from the convict Pip had assisted years ago in the marshes. This revelation rekindles Pip's fear from the night, causing him to alight the coach at the first available stop in town. Once he reaches his hotel, he stumbles upon a newspaper article that suggests Pumblechook is claiming responsibility for Pip's newfound social standing.

chapter 29

Embarking on a journey to Satis House, Pip envisions himself as a victorious knight, set to free Estella from a malevolent fortress. Upon arrival, he crosses paths with Orlick, who is now working as Miss Havisham's gatekeeper. Estella's transformation into a stunning woman leaves Pip in awe. Even with his newfound wealth, he feels utterly inept around her, plagued by a sense of unworthiness and awkwardness. Miss Havisham urges him to persist in his love for Estella. As Pip strolls with Estella in the garden, he notes her coldness towards him and is troubled. He recognizes in her a familiarity, yet struggles to pinpoint the similarity. Upon returning inside, he finds Jaggers present and is weighed down by the lawyer's imposing demeanor.

chapter 30

Pip informs Jaggers of Orlick’s shady history, leading Jaggers to dismiss him from Miss Havisham’s service. Experiencing ridicule from a tailor's apprentice, Pip trudges back to London, disheartened. Herbert attempts to uplift Pip's mood, simultaneously advising him that even if Miss Havisham is his mysterious patron, she likely doesn't expect him to wed Estella. Herbert then reveals his own love life, admitting he is betrothed to a woman named Clara, but his lack of wealth prevents their marriage.

chapter 31

Pip and Herbert attend a performance where Wopsle delivers a laughable portrayal of Hamlet. After the show, Pip dines with the unfortunate actor, still maintaining a bitter demeanor.

chapter 32

Estella sends Pip a message instructing him to rendezvous with her at a train terminal in the city. He shows up ahead of schedule and runs into Wemmick, who guides him around the desolate terrain of Newgate Prison. Even though Pip finds the gloomy environment unsettling, Wemmick appears strangely content and even presents Pip to a person condemned to execution by the noose.

chapter 33

Pip's encounter with Estella leaves him unsettled as he struggles to identify who she reminds him of. Her haughty demeanor towards him is offset by a wave of euphoria when she mentions their "instructions", leading Pip to believe they are fated for matrimony. After guiding her through the lamp-lit evening of London to the residence where she is lodged, he goes back to the Pockets' place.

chapter 34

Pip is overwhelmed with regret regarding his arrogant behavior towards Joe and Biddy. He also worries that his downward spiraling life choices have negatively impacted Herbert. Upon tallying their financial obligations, their task is cut short by a letter announcing Mrs. Joe's demise.

chapter 35

Pip is deeply affected by the news of his sister's passing, prompting him to immediately head back for the service. He encounters Pumblechook, whose obsequious behavior continues to annoy him. He attempts to rebuild his relationship with Joe and Biddy; however, Biddy doubts his commitment to frequent visits. The following morning, Pip departs, sincerely planning to return regularly, and disappears into the fog.

chapter 36

Pip finally turns twenty-one, signalling his entry into adulthood and the privilege of receiving a steady income from his wealth. He's thrilled, expecting Jaggers to reveal who his hidden benefactor is. He's convinced it's Miss Havisham who wants him to wed Estella, ignoring Herbert's caution. However, Jaggers remains aloof and succinct during their discussion, revealing nothing about Pip's benefactor. He informs Pip about his yearly income of five hundred pounds and dismisses any responsibility for the aftermath. Oddly, this interaction reminds Pip of his past encounter with the convict in the graveyard. Despite the unpleasantness, Pip extends an invitation to Jaggers for his birthday celebration. But Jaggers's dominating aura lessens the festivities for Pip and Herbert.

chapter 37

Pip, having received his earnings, decides to support Herbert's ambitions in commerce. He reaches out to Wemmick for counsel. When they meet at Jaggers's workspace in Chapter 36, Wemmick initially discourages Pip from aiding Herbert. However, his stance changes dramatically at the Castle, where Pip encounters Wemmick's beloved, Miss Skiffins. Wemmick cheerfully agrees to assist Pip with his plan here. They spot a trader seeking a youthful associate, and Pip secures this position for Herbert. The entire arrangement remains covert, ensuring Herbert remains unaware of his benefactor's identity, mirroring Pip's own situation.

chapter 38

While Pip frequently accompanies Estella in London under the watchful gaze of her hostess, Mrs. Brandley, he goes largely unnoticed by her. Despite his continued belief in their engagement, Pip is puzzled by Miss Havisham's silence on the matter. During a visit to the elderly woman, Pip notes Estella's indifferent treatment of Miss Havisham, matching her coldness towards her many suitors. Miss Havisham, on the other hand, urges Estella to continue breaking men's hearts. Subsequently, Pip is horrified to discover that Estella is being courted by Drummle. He voices his worries to Estella who dismisses them, arguing that unlike her other suitors, Pip is the only one she hasn’t deceived. This, however, only serves to make Pip feel insignificant. That evening, Pip visualizes his destiny as a looming stone slab, ready to crash down on him.

chapter 39

Years have gone by and Pip is now 23. During a late-night storm, he hears heavy steps coming up his stairs. An elderly sailor steps into Pip's home, drawing a nervous and standoffish reaction from Pip until he identifies him. It's the convict who scared him as a child in the graveyard and the marsh. To Pip's shock, he learns that the convict moved to Australia, made a large sum of money through sheep farming, and used it to make Pip a gentleman out of gratitude for his past kindness. The convict, not Miss Havisham, is the mysterious benefactor. Pip wasn't intended to marry Estella at all. Pip is disheartened to hear that the convict is currently fleeing from the law, and could face execution if caught. Even though this revelation upsets him, Pip realizes it's his responsibility to assist the benefactor. He feeds him and offers him Herbert's bed for the night as Herbert is not around. Frightened by the turn of events, Pip checks on the sleeping convict, who has a gun on his pillow, before locking up and going to sleep. He wakes up at dawn to a sky full of tumultuous wind and rain.

chapter 40

Pip stumbles upon a mysterious figure lurking in his stairway early in the morning. Seeking assistance, he runs for the night guard, but the stranger vanishes. The focus then shifts to the felon, Abel Magwitch. Pip, eager to keep his servants oblivious, introduces him as “Uncle Provis,” a pseudonym Magwitch had devised while travelling from Australia to England. In order to validate Magwitch's tale, Pip plans a disguise and visits Jaggers. Despite his attempts, Pip is mortified as Magwitch, uncouth in his demeanor and language, parades around the apartment, tarnishing Pip's gentlemanly image.

chapter 41

Having put up with his visitor for a handful of days, Pip has no choice but to deal with his issue directly once Herbert is back. Magwitch departs, allowing Herbert and Pip to confer over the predicament. They concur that Pip must stop spending Magwitch’s wealth. Their strategy involves getting Magwitch overseas where the law can't touch him, before they part company with him.

chapter 42

Magwitch shares his life story with Pip and Herbert, revealing his troubled beginnings as an orphaned thief. He speaks of Compeyson, a refined criminal who once manipulated him and drove another accomplice, Arthur, into despair with his cruel tactics. Magwitch recalls a woman from his past, though he keeps her identity hidden from the two. He reveals that when they were apprehended, Compeyson's sophisticated demeanor helped him secure a less severe punishment, leaving Magwitch seeking vengeance. Indeed, Compeyson was the individual Pip witnessed him grappling with in the marsh. Secretly, Herbert gives Pip a note that complicates matters. The message uncovers that Arthur was the half-brother of Miss Havisham and Compeyson was the man who jilted her at the altar.

chapter 43

Overwhelmed by guilt, Pip decides he must end his relationship with Estella due to the lowly origins of his newfound status. Following a disagreeable meeting with Drummle at the inn, he makes his way to Satis House to bid farewell to Miss Havisham and Estella.

chapter 44

Miss Havisham confesses that she purposefully misled Pip into thinking she was his benefactor and agrees to assist Herbert in light of Pip's inability to use his own wealth. Pip confesses his love for Estella, only for her to respond indifferently, stating she never misled him about reciprocating his affection. She reveals her intention to marry Drummle, leaving Miss Havisham sympathizing with Pip for his heartbreak. Overwhelmed with grief, Pip makes his way back to London on foot. A night porter hands him a message from Wemmick near his home, instructing him not to return home.

chapter 45

Terrified, Pip spends a night at a run-down lodging known as the Hummums. The following day, Pip locates Wemmick who enlightens him that he has discovered via Jaggers's office that Compeyson is on the hunt for Magwitch. He reveals to Pip that Herbert has concealed Magwitch in Clara's home, prompting Pip to depart immediately to that location.

chapter 46

When he reaches his destination, he discovers Clara's father is a cruel alcoholic, which makes him feel relieved for aiding Clara and Herbert to elude him. He encounters Magwitch upstairs and is taken aback by his newfound worry for the old prisoner's well-being; he even conceals from Magwitch the news of Compeyson's return. Herbert and Pip strategize on how to discreetly transport Magwitch via the river, and Pip starts contemplating remaining with his patron even after they've fled. Pip purchases a rowboat, vigilantly looking out for the ominous figure hunting for Magwitch.

chapter 47

Pip waits nervously for Wemmick's cue to move Magwitch down the river. Despite a growing empathy for the convict, he cannot accept Magwitch's money due to his own moral misgivings, resulting in accumulating debts. He's aware that Estella must be married to Drummle by now, but chooses not to delve further into it. His biggest concern remains Magwitch. In an attempt to distract himself from his problems, Pip attends a theater show. After the show, Wopsle reveals to Pip that one of the convicts from their past encounter on the marsh was present in the audience. Despite maintaining his composure, Pip is internally shaken by the realization that it must be Compeyson tailing him. In haste, he hurries home to share this information with Herbert and Wemmick.

chapter 48

Jaggers hands Pip a note from Miss Havisham during a meal. Pip makes a shocking discovery when Jaggers’s housekeeper, Molly, enters the room. He connects her to Estella, noting a mysterious resemblance. He instantly concludes that Molly must be Estella's mother. After the meal, Pip probes Wemmick for information about Molly, finding out she had been charged with murdering a woman over her common-law partner and allegedly killing her own young daughter to cause him pain. Pip is convinced that Estella is the daughter Molly is believed to have killed.

chapter 49

Pip pays a visit to Miss Havisham who is overwhelmed with remorse about causing Estella to shatter his heart. In tears, she tightly clings to Pip's feet, begging him for forgiveness. He treats her with kindness and steps out for a stroll in the garden. It is here that he has a grim vision of Miss Havisham's death. He glances at her window just in time to see her burst into a pillar of fire as she leans over it. Pip rushes in, hurriedly clearing the aged wedding feast off her table and uses the tablecloth to extinguish the fire. Miss Havisham survives, but is left weakened, barely a trace of her previous self. After the medical team leaves, Pip stays with her and only leaves the next morning, leaving her in the capable hands of her servants, before he heads back to London.

chapter 50

Pip sustained severe burn injuries while attempting to rescue Miss Havisham. As Herbert tends to his wounds, they bond over the growing affection they both have developed towards Magwitch. Herbert shares a previously unmentioned part of Magwitch's past - about a woman he was involved with. This narrative aligns well with that of Molly, Jaggers's housemaid. Hence, it is implied that Magwitch was once in a domestic partnership with Molly, making him Estella's biological father.

chapter 51

Pip becomes desperate to uncover the full truth. He confronts Jaggers, startling the attorney when he confesses his knowledge of Estella’s heritage. Despite Pip's efforts, he fails to persuade Jaggers to reveal any information. It's only when Pip appeals to Wemmick's kind and human nature, a side Wemmick has never displayed at work, that Jaggers is caught off guard. Surprised and delighted to discover Wemmick's softer side, he verifies that Estella is indeed Molly’s child, albeit unaware of Magwitch’s part in the narrative.

chapter 52

Pip departs to finalize Herbert's partnership arrangements only to discover that Herbert is set to be relocated to the Middle East. Herbert amusingly muses about taking Clara to the mystical land of the Arabian Nights. Wemmick sends a message indicating a need to move Magwitch in two days. Alongside this, Pip receives an anonymous warning note aimed at “Uncle Provis,” instructing Pip to venture to the marshes covertly. Pip heads to the inn close to where he grew up and is struck by the realization of how much he has overlooked Joe since his rise to gentleman status. Among all the things he's lost, Pip considers the loss of Joe’s friendship to be his deepest regret. That evening, feeling humbled and nursing a fire-injured arm, he sets off for the secretive rendezvous on the marshes.

chapter 53

Under a blood-red moon and enveloped in dense fog, Pip finds himself in an old stone quarry near the limekiln. Suddenly, his candle goes out and he's caught in a noose. He's tied up and threatened with death by a harsh voice in the darkness. A spark from a flint reveals Orlick's face. Orlick blames Pip for meddling in his romantic affairs and vows vengeance. He confesses to killing Mrs. Joe, casting the blame on Pip as he did it out of spite for him. Pip hits back, calling Orlick a "villain," but he's secretly fearful. He worries about dying without his family knowing his intentions to better himself and aid them. Orlick discloses his association with Compeyson and his knowledge of Magwitch, and also confesses to being the mysterious figure in Pip's stairwell. After drinking some alcohol, Orlick menacingly approaches Pip with a stone hammer. Pip screams for help and Herbert, along with others, rush in to rescue him. Herbert had discovered Orlick's note to Pip and had followed him to the marshes out of concern. In the confusion, Orlick flees. Opting not to chase him, Pip and Herbert hurry home to assist Magwitch's escape.

chapter 54

As dawn breaks, Pip and Herbert, accompanied by Startop, embark on their journey on a busy Thames river. They pick up Magwitch from Clara's house, where he appears thoughtful and compares life to a river. The atmosphere changes from bustling London to gloomy marshes, where rowing becomes strenuous. Anxiety takes over them when they halt for the night at a grimy inn and learn about a mysterious boat near them. Fearing it could be the police or Compeyson, they devise a plan for Pip and Magwitch to secretly escape early the next day and meet the rest downstream. As they progress downstream, they spy a German steamer, their escape route. Suddenly, another boat shows up and a cop commands Magwitch's arrest. Spotting Compeyson in the other boat, an enraged Magwitch dives into the river to confront him. Both disappear underwater, but only Magwitch emerges, denying accusations of drowning Compeyson. However, he can't escape being shackled and taken to jail. Pip, now entirely devoted to Magwitch, holds his hand and swears to support him.

chapter 55

Jaggers fully expects Magwitch to be convicted, but Pip's faith doesn't waver. The news of the state seizing Magwitch's wealth, Pip's inheritance included, doesn't disturb him. In the meantime, as they wait for Magwitch's trial outcome, Herbert is getting ready to wed Clara, while Wemmick delightfully ties the knot with Miss Skiffins in a humor-filled ceremony. Herbert extends a job proposal to Pip, who decides to hold off on responding.

chapter 56

Pip makes his way to see the ailing and imprisoned Magwitch, doing his best to liberate the convict. However, Magwitch's conviction and death sentence, as foreseen by Jaggers, leads him to view his impending death as divine retribution. On his last day, he is too weak to utter any words. Bringing solace in his last moments, Pip informs him that Estella—the daughter he thought was gone— is alive, thriving, and a beautiful woman. This knowledge allows Magwitch to pass away in tranquility. After his death, Pip offers prayers for his late benefactor, imploring God's mercy on him.

chapter 57

Following Magwitch's demise, Pip becomes severely ill and on the verge of prison due to his debts. He's saved from imprisonment only because of his critical condition. He suffers from vivid hallucinations, reliving past experiences with Orlick and Miss Havisham, and repeatedly visualizing Joe's face. However, Joe’s presence isn't a figment of his imagination, but reality. Joe had arrived and took care of Pip during his sickness. While Pip regains his health, Joe shares the latest developments from home: Miss Havisham passed away, smartly leaving her wealth to the Pockets. Orlick, after unsuccessfully attempting to murder Pip, robbed Pumblechook and is now imprisoned. Joe also shares his own progress: Biddy has taught him to read and write. Joe and Pip revisit their old tradition of Sunday outings, reminiscent of Pip's childhood days. But when Pip starts recounting the Magwitch saga, Joe resists, wary of reviving painful memories. Even with Pip’s renewed fondness, Joe's discomfort in London grows. One day, Pip wakes up to find Joe gone. But not before he clears all of Pip’s debts. Stirred by Joe's departure, Pip rushes back home, intent on making amends with Joe and proposing to Biddy.

chapter 58

Upon reaching his old home, Pip discovers Satis House being dismantled for auction. Pumblechook finds Pip at his hotel and condescends him, but Pip swiftly departs to seek Biddy and Joe. Both Biddy's school and Joe's forge are deserted. When Pip finally locates them, he is taken aback to learn they are married. While he had hoped to marry Biddy himself, he joyously congratulates them and opts to work alongside Herbert instead.

chapter 59

After eleven years abroad, Pip returns to his homeland, having adopted a simpler lifestyle from his employment in a trade company. He visits old friends Joe and Biddy, assuring Biddy of his acceptance of his single life. Next, Pip visits the dilapidated Satis House, which now lays in ruins. Amid the silvery fog, he strolls through the unkempt garden, reminiscing about Estella. News had reached him of her unfortunate marriage to Drummle, who has now passed. As evening falls, he spots Estella ambling in the ancient garden. They engage in a nostalgic conversation about their shared history and as the fog thickens, they depart the garden together. Pip is convinced they won't separate again.

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