Great Expectations

Pip (Philip Pirrip)

The protagonist and narrator; an orphan who desires self-improvement and becomes a gentleman through a mysterious benefactor.

Joe Gargery

Pip’s brother-in-law; a kind, humble blacksmith who loves Pip unconditionally.

Mrs. Joe (Georgiana Gargery)

Pip’s strict, abusive sister who “brings him up by hand.”

Biddy

A kind, intelligent girl who helps with Pip’s education; later marries Joe.

Magwitch (Abel Magwitch)

An escaped convict; ultimately revealed to be Pip’s secret benefactor.

Compeyson

A gentleman-criminal who betrayed Magwitch; Miss Havisham’s former fiancé.

Jaggers

A powerful, intimidating London lawyer who handles Pip’s financial affairs.

Wemmick

Jaggers’s clerk; practical at work but warm and quirky at home.

The Aged P (Aged Parent)

Wemmick’s elderly, kind father; lives at “The Castle.”

Estella

Miss Havisham’s ward; raised to break men’s hearts; Pip loves her deeply.

Miss Havisham

A wealthy, eccentric spinster who was jilted at the altar and raises Estella to seek revenge on men.

Herbert Pocket

Pip’s best friend; kind, optimistic, teaches Pip gentlemanly manners.

Matthew Pocket

Herbert’s scholarly father; one of the few relatives Miss Havisham respects.

Mrs. Pocket

Herbert’s mother; obsessed with social status and aristocratic lineage.

Camilla Pocket

A greedy relative of Miss Havisham who fawns over her for money.

Arthur Havisham

Miss Havisham’s half-brother; conspired with Compeyson to swindle her.

Pumblechook (Uncle Pumblechook)

Joe’s pompous uncle; takes undue credit for Pip’s rise.

Orlick (Dolge Orlick)

Joe’s violent assistant; resentful and malicious; later attacks Pip.

Molly

Jaggers’s mysterious housekeeper; later revealed to be Estella’s mother.

Mr. Wopsle

The church clerk in Pip’s village; becomes an actor in London.

Trabb’s Boy

The tailor’s lively apprentice who mocks Pip but later warns him of danger.