Illustration of Pip visiting a graveyard

Great Expectations

by Charles Dickens

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What are Pip's "expectations" in chapters 3 and 4?

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At this point in the book, Pip really has just about nothing in the way of expectations.  At this point, the only thing that he can realistically expect is to be Joe's apprentice and later become a blacksmith himself.  He can hope to survive Mrs. Joe for that long...

In Chapter 4, Pumblechook is characterized as sort of boring guy who is constantly telling Pip that he should be more grateful.  Wopsle is portrayed as sort of a show off who loves to try to impress people, especially with the way he can talk.

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