great expectations - all quotes

Stage 2 - Joe changes the way that he addresses Pip: Pip realises that Joe calling him Sir is superficial and he prefers now being called Pip as genuine connection and love of people is more important than one's status

"…whenever he subsided into affection, he called me Pip."

All Stages - Mr. Jaggers can appear cold and calculating (surgical); he feels as if he needs to wash the sins of his clients off.

"He washed his clients of as if it were a surgeon or a dentist."

Stage 1 - Miss Havisham's treatment of the lower class contrasts with Estella's and seems almost merciful. Dickens may be showing that we all have better sides to us; even the likes of Miss Havisham. Miss Havisham never outright humiliates Joe which is notable.

"…[something to Joe] said Miss Havisham, disdainfully, but without having taken much trouble to look at him."

Stage 1 - Pip's love for Estella: His deep, irrational love for Estella despite her cruelty and rejection

"I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be." (Pip to Estella)

Stage 1 - Pip's maltreatment: He is constantly silenced and patronised called "boy" it may be why he is so obsessed with class and people's perceptions of him

"…be grateful, boy, to them which brought you up by hand."

"…what a questioner he is."

Stage 2 - Pip finds interactions with Estella painful but still remains desperate for her approval and affection

"…everything in out intercourse did give me pain."

Stage 2 - Pip associates Estella with death, lack of hope and apathy

"I looked at the stars; how awful it would be for a man to turn his face up to them as he froze to death, and see no help or pity…"

Stage 1 - Pip's Empathy: Pip's empathy toward Magwitch, showing his innocence and kindness in a moment of fear

"…pitying his desolation" (Pip)

Stage 1 - Adult Cruelty: Adults like Mrs. Hubble are harsh and critical, affecting Pip's emotional development

"He was a world of trouble to you…" (Mrs. Hubble)

Stage 1 - Mimicking Estella's Cruelty: Pip mirrors Estella's language, highlighting his low self-esteem and class insecurity

"I was a common, labouring-boy; my hands were coarse…" (Pip)

Stage 1 - Estella's Insult: Estella criticizes Pip's social status, reinforcing Pip's insecurities

"Coarse and common" (Estella)

Stage 1 - Estella's Beauty: Pip idealizes Estella's beauty, emphasizing her ethereal, distant nature

"her light came along the long dark passage like a star." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Superficiality: Pip hires a servant boy for status, showing his vanity and self-centeredness

"I had made the monster… he haunted my existence." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Guilt: Pip reflects on his mistreatment of Joe, realizing his mistakes and emotional growth

"…this was all my fault… I felt impatient of him and out of temper with him." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Obsession with Estella: Despite feeling miserable with her, Pip continues to long for Estella

"I never was happy with her, but always miserable." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Desire vs. Reality: Pip recognizes Biddy's warmth, yet continues to desire Estella, showing internal conflict

"…if Estella were beside me instead of Biddy, would she make me miserable?" (Pip)

Stage 2 - Estella's Manipulation: Estella's acknowledgment of her role in Pip's emotional pain reflects her own detachment

"I am what you designed me to be. I am your blade. You cannot now complain if you also feel the hurt." (Estella to Ms. Havisham)

Stage 3 - Transformation through Magwitch: Pip grows emotionally, learning to love Magwitch despite his past fear of him

"my blood ran cold when he took my hands" → "you've been more comfortable alonger me…" (Pip)

Stage 3 - Pip's Selflessness: Pip's dedication to saving Magwitch demonstrates his moral and emotional growth

"my mind was wholly set on Provis' safety." (Pip)

Stage 3 - The Final Line: Pip's closure with Estella, symbolizing the end of their painful relationship

"I saw no shadow of another parting from her" (Pip)

Stage 1 - Ms. Havisham's Manipulation: Ms. Havisham's cruel instruction to Pip forces him into a toxic, self-destructive love

"Love her, love her, love her! If she favours you, love her. If she wounds you, love her. If she tears your heart to pieces -and as it gets older and stronger, it will tear deeper -love her, love her, love her!" (Ms. Havisham)

Stage 1 - Ms. Havisham's Emotional State: Ms. Havisham reveals her disturbed, warped fantasies about love

"I have sick fancies" (Ms. Havisham)

Stage 1 - Ms. Havisham's Revenge: Her desire for revenge on men is shown through her cruel command to break Pip's heart

"Break his heart" (Ms. Havisham)

Stage 1 - The Bridal Gown Symbolism: Ms. Havisham's white dress reflects her stagnation and emotional decay

"had been white long ago, had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow." (Pip)

Stage 1 - Ms. Havisham's Youthful Illusion: She clings to a past that has long since faded, symbolizing her inability to move on

"she was dressed in rich materials -satins, lace and silks -all of white" (Pip)

Stage 1 - Ms. Havisham's Emotional Coldness: She admits to turning Estella's heart cold, reflecting her own emotional damage

"I stole her heart away and put ice in its place." (Ms. Havisham)

"At first I meant to save her from misery like my own."

Stage 2 - Pip's Social Mobility: Pip desires to escape his roots, wanting to be a gentleman despite his past

"Biddy," said I, after binding her to secrecy, "I want to be a gentleman." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Great Expectations: Pip reflects on his aspirations, which will lead to both fulfillment and regret

"possessor of such great expectations" (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Reflection on Fate: Pip considers the pivotal moments that led him to his current state, showcasing the weight of his decisions

"Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Class and Identity: Pip reflects on the importance of accepting one's roots, showing that no amount of wealth can erase one's past

"No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself." (Pip)

Stage 2 - The Start of Pip's Journey: A symbolic moment where Pip transitions from innocence to the reality of adulthood

"And the mists had all solemnly risen now, and the world lay spread before me." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Arrogance: Pip tries to make Joe more cultured to fit his new identity, showing his internalized snobbery

"I wanted to make Joe less ignorant and common, that he might be worthier of my society." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Realization: He becomes aware of the existential loneliness of his desires, especially in a cold world

"And then I looked at the stars, and considered how awful it would be for a man to turn his face up to them as he froze to death, and see no help or pity in all the glittering multitude." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Magwitch's Life: Magwitch's repeated cycle of incarceration shows the hopelessness of his life and his complex bond with Pip

"In jail and out of jail; in jail and out of jail. That's my life pretty much." (Magwitch)

Stage 1 - Magwitch's First Appearance: Magwitch is introduced as an intimidating figure in a bleak setting, symbolizing Pip's fear and vulnerability

"Hold your noise!" cried a terrible voice, as a man started up from among the graves." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Emotional Growth: Pip's initial fear of Magwitch fades as he learns to care for him

"My repugnance to him had melted away." (Pip)

Stage 1 - Pip's Ties to Magwitch: Magwitch represents both fear and care, shifting from a convict to a mentor figure

"my convict"/ "my gentleman" (Pip)

Stage 1 - Mrs. Joe's Harshness: Mrs. Joe represents the oppressive authority figures in Pip's life

"She's got Tickler with her!" (Mrs. Joe)

Stage 1 - Mrs. Joe's Control: Her strictness and lack of warmth shape Pip's sense of duty and fear

"brought up by hand" (Joe)

Stage 2 - London's Decay: Pip's initial view of London is one of filth and corruption, foreshadowing his struggles there

"the shameful place, being all a smear with filth and fat and blood and foam." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Regret: Pip expresses his inability to reverse the damage he's caused, a key theme of remorse in the novel

"I could never, never, never undo what I had done." (Pip)

Stage 3 - Final Reconciliation: The novel closes with a sense of hope, as Pip and Estella finally understand each other's suffering. Estella's suffering has apparently awakened her heart to empathy and potentially love.

"Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but -I hope -into a better shape." (Estella's final words)

Stage 1 - Pip's Idealism and Love for Estella: Pip's deep and unrelenting love for Estella demonstrates his idealism and innocence, despite the obstacles he faces.

"I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be." (Pip to Estella)

Stage 1 - Estella's Coldness and Emotional Impact: Estella acknowledges her upbringing by Miss Havisham and reveals how her emotional coldness was shaped by manipulation.

"I am what you designed me to be. I am your blade. You cannot now complain if you also feel the hurt." (Estella to Miss Havisham)

Stage 2 - Miss Havisham's Influence on Estella: Miss Havisham's bitterness and desire for revenge are evident as she encourages Estella to harm Pip emotionally.

"Break his heart, and if you can, steal it from him." (Miss Havisham to Estella)

Stage 2 - Pip's Guilt Over His Treatment of Joe: Pip recognizes his unfair treatment of Joe and acknowledges the pain he caused due to his desire to distance himself from his roots. This is also a repetition of exactly what he says to himself earlier (Estella has a devastating effect to his perception of others).

"Joe was a common labouring-boy; but I had no right to be ashamed of him." (Pip)

Stage 2 - Pip's Internal Conflict Over His Social Status: This quote highlights Pip's internal conflict, as he views Joe as inferior due to his class status, yet struggles with feelings of guilt.

"I wanted to make Joe less ignorant and common, that he might be worthier of my society." (Pip)

Stage 3 - Magwitch's Sacrifice for Pip: Magwitch's selflessness and devotion to Pip are revealed as he seeks peace after his years of sacrifice for Pip's benefit.

"Take me for what I am, and I will leave you in peace." (Magwitch)

Stage 3 - Pip's Realization of True Gentility: Pip finally realizes that being a true gentleman comes from one's character and actions, not merely their social status.

"Gentlemen… should not be ashamed of their beginnings." (Pip)

Stage 3 - Pip's Recognition of Biddy's Worth: Pip admits that Biddy, with her genuine love and support, was more deserving of his affection than Estella.

"Biddy was worth more to me than Estella, though I never said it out loud." (Pip)

Stage 3 - Pip's Growth and Reflection: Pip reflects on his journey of growth, acknowledging the world's imperfections, yet recognizing the possibility of redemption and love.

"Even though the world was full of cruelty and unfairness, there was still a possibility for love and change." (Pip)

Stage 3 - Estella's Final Reflection on Suffering: Estella reveals that her own suffering has allowed her to understand and empathize with Pip's heart, signaling emotional growth.

"Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but -I hope -into a better shape." (Estella's final words)

Stage 2 - Estella shows that she does actually care about Pip and deeply desires to not hurt him through being with Bentely.

"Do you deceive and entrap him, Estella?"

"Yes, and many others,—all of them but you."

Stage 2 - Joe remains devoted to Pip throughout the novel and doesn't feel compelled to change for the sake of status.

"He would talk to me in the old confidence and with the old simplicity."

"…you and me was ever friends."

Stage 1 - Joe is willing to suffer for the sake of others as he grew up in a broken home; he values women and attempts to see the best in everyone, even Mrs. Joe.

"I'm dead afraid of not doing what's right by a woman…"

Stage 1 - Joe can become awkward when conversing with higher class as it is unnatural for him and Dickens exploits this to deepen Pip's contempt of him and to emphasise his internalised prejudice. Joe feels that he doesn't belong but still tries for Pip showing his selflessness and lack of care for what others think of him. However maybe also to show a better side to Miss Havisham as she never directly berates Joe for his lack of classy demeanour.

"I'm wrong out of the forge, the kitchen, or off th' meshes." [after visiting Miss Havisham]

Stage 2 - Pip's shame of Joe is incredibly poignant and becomes cruel; it isn't Joe's awkwardness to blame for Pip's discomfort but his internalised prejudice and classism.

"If I could have kept him away by paying money, I certainly would have paid money."

Stage 1 - Biddy loved Pip at one point

"I should have been good enough for you; shouldn't I Biddy?"

"Yes; I'm not over-particular."

Stage 1 - Biddy recognises that class and status is superficial and that one can be happy without those things. Biddy has the emotional maturity to not speak outright to Pip about his change of moral compass and instead sees that he needs to learn this lesson for himself. She is diplomatic and unreactive; the complete opposite to Estella with subtle mannerisms.

"…caring nothing for her words"

"…she was not worth gaining over."

"'How helping him on?'… she did not look at me."

"Are you quite sure, Pip, that you will come to see him often?"

Stage 1 and 2 - Miss Havisham has a twisted understanding of what romantic love is.

"There is no doubt that she perfectly idolized him. [Herbert]"

"…real love is blind devotion, unquestioning self-humiliation…"

Stage 1 - Miss Havisham doesn't allow herself to move on from the betrayal; she is stuck in the past. This is also why she is obsessed with Estella; she disagrees that she never loved Estella and while she did it was in her own way; her definition of love is obsession with the past not true love.

"…stopped at twenty minutes to nine."

"Did I never give her love!"

Stage 1 - Biddy realises what will happen to Pip later in the novel.

"I shall always tell you everything."

"Till you're a gentleman,"

"[Biddy tells Pip of a lesson she would have taught him] it's of no use now."

Stage 1 & 2 - Pip regrets the way that he has treated Biddy and wishes that things were different. He knows that deep down he is in the wrong (or he wouldn't be hurt) and that Biddy is much better for him than Estella. And here these moments parallel as he is presented with both women but chooses Estella.

"If I could only get myself to fall in love with you."

"You may kiss me, if you like." "I have no heart."

All Stages - Pumblechook is a shameless hypocrite and sycophant who craves validation and to gain status from others. Despite his bad presence in Pip's childhood, he takes credit for his expectations.

"…abject hypocrite"

"We shook hands for the hundredth time at least."

"…told me that Pumblechook was the founder of my fortunes."

All Stages - Mr. Jaggers believes that it is extremely ridiculous to make judgements on appearance; we gain respect for him as he isn't shallow or vain in the way that Pip is despite Pip's initial daunting perception of him.

"…burly… exceedingly dark… exceedingly large head."

"Take nothing [oxymoronic] on it's looks; take everything on it's evidence."

All Stages - Mr. Jaggers may lack respect for Molly and the criminals he defends or he may actually respect her for what she has survived; both could be argued.

"If you talk of strength, I'll show you a wrist… Molly…"

Stage 3 - Miss Havisham does appear to have a moral compass and begins to regret deeply what she has done to Estella and to Pip.

"O! What have I done!"

Stage 2 - Estella also shows humanity- ironically when she repeatedly warns Pip to stop wasting his time perusing her as she believes that she will never be able to reciprocate.

"Will you never take warning?"

All Stages - Herbert is certainly a 'gentleman' seen in the way that he reacts to Provis with respect despite his criminal status and the way he treats Pip like a true friend (INTHAF vibes all the way). He also plays an integral role in smuggling Provis out of the country. And saves Pip from Orlick's kidnapping.

"friendly uneasiness" [reaction to Provis randomly present in his flat]

"…stood leaning on Herbert's arm."

"Herbert and I agreed that he should board the steamer with me."

All Stages - Orlick is a piece of shit. He kidnaps and almost kills Pip. Batters Mrs. Joe because of his resentment of Pip due to his relationship with Biddy. And is very questionable toward Biddy as he is infatuated with her. Basically working class version of Compeyson ngl.

"I left her for dead."

All Stages - Wemmick is eccentric and becomes a different person when he returns home to care for The Aged (arguably essential for someone who works in close proximity to Jaggers). He is a kind person though and helps Pip many times: Provis escape, Herbert's corporate ascension. He has traits of both Mr. Jaggers ('Portable Property' thing is pretty calculative) and Joe (hard-working and humble) and teaches Pip the value of hard-work.

"The office is one thing, and private life is another."

"…my guiding-star always is, 'Get hold of portable property.'"

"I am my own Jack of all trades."

"

Stage 1 - Magwitch initially bestial and sub-human.

"You fail and your heart and liver shall be torn out."

Stage 2 - Dickens uses Magwitch to question the justice system. Would Magwitch have turned out to be a criminal if he had a better upbringing with love and compassion? No. But the odds were stacked against him and society played a role in his criminality as they saw him as a threat through prejudice and he became what was projected onto him.

"…there warn't a soul that see young Abel Magwitch… I reg'larly grow'd up took up." [Nobody saw him for who he was; just a poor, starving boy. He became what society made him much like Estella which is ironic as Estella turns out badly despite not being exposed to Magwitch's life and parenting]

Stage 2 - Despite his upbringing however, Magwitch also still has humanity in him and is extraordinarily generous to Pip.

"All I have isn't mine; it's yourn."

How does Dickens present Love in Great Expectations?

• D believes that successful relationships are difficult to obtain

• We see this through Mrs. Joe and Joe ("Joe looked at her in a helpless way."), Mr. Pocket and Mrs. Pocket ("Mr. Pocket got his hands in his hair again."), Estella and Bentley ("I have been bent and broken.")

• However we do witness some happy relationships

• We see this in Clara and Herbert ("something so loving in her modest manner of yielding herself to Herbert's embracing arm"), Joe and Biddy ("Biddy cried in a burst of happiness, "I am married to Joe!"), Wemmick and Miss Skiffins ("Mrs. Wemmick no longer unwound Wemmick's arm when it adapted itself to her figure.") --- BUT these are all in their earlier stages

• Pip is also fixated by Estella but was this ever true love?