Great Expectations Group

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wiltsy
wiltsy
Student
College - Senior

In what ways does Pip have "Great Expectations"?

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Posted by wiltsy on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 1:19 AM and tagged with character, dickens, great expectations, pip, themes.

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  1. scarletpimpernel Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Pip expects himself to become a gentleman.  In doing so, he hopes to be wealthy, scholarly, mannerly, and deserving of Estella's love and admiration.

    In another sense, others place great expectations upon Pip.  Magwitch sponsors Pip's education in London because he expects Pip to learn to be a better gentleman than Compeyson who was born a gentleman.  Likewise, Joe has great expectations for Pip because he tries to raise him to be hard working and kind. Biddy, at first, expects Pip to be able to do great things with his intelligence, until she sees him begin influenced by Miss Havisham and Estella.

    Other characters in the book have expectations for Pip, but not necessarily "great" or "good" ones for the innocent protagonist.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-expectations/character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/great-expectations/style
    http://www.enotes.com/great-expectations/themes

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    Posted by scarletpimpernel on Wednesday November 4, 2009 at 5:00 PM