Summary of Main Characters of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations
Summary of Main Characters of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations
Pip Pirrip: The protagonist of the novel, Pip is an orphaned boy who is raised by his sister and her husband, Joe Gargery. Pip is a kind and generous boy, but he is also naive and easily influenced. He is raised with the belief that he is destined for great things, and he is determined to live up to those expectations. However, Pip's journey is not an easy one, and he must learn the hard way that true happiness comes from within, not from material possessions.
Estella Havisham: Pip's childhood sweetheart, Estella is a beautiful and wealthy young woman who has been raised by Miss Havisham, a wealthy but bitter woman who was deserted by her fiancé on the day of her wedding many years ago. Estella is cold and indifferent to Pip, and she treats him with disdain. However, Pip is determined to win her love, and he eventually succeeds. However, Estella's upbringing has left her emotionally damaged, and she is unable to return Pip's love in the way that he wants.
Abel Magwitch: A convict who was once helped by Pip, Magwitch is a kind and generous man who is determined to repay Pip for his kindness. Magwitch's money is the source of Pip's wealth, but it also leads to a great deal of trouble. Magwitch is eventually caught and sent to prison, but he dies before he can be executed.
Joe Gargery: Pip's sister's husband, Joe is a kind and hardworking man who is a blacksmith by trade. Joe is a surrogate father to Pip, and he teaches Pip the value of hard work and honesty. Joe is a simple man, but he is also a wise man, and he provides Pip with the guidance that he needs to grow up and become a good man.
Miss Havisham: A wealthy and eccentric woman who was deserted by her fiancé on the day of her wedding many years ago, Miss Havisham is a bitter and vengeful woman who takes her anger out on Estella, her adopted daughter. Miss Havisham is a complex and tragic figure, and she is one of the most memorable characters in Dickens's novels.
These are just a few of the main characters in Great Expectations. The novel is full of well-developed characters, each of whom plays an important role in Pip's journey.