Great Expectations: Character Profiles

Pip (Philip Pirrip):

The novel’s protagonist and narrator.
Starts off as a poor apprentice to his blacksmith brother-in-law, Joe.
Pip is seen as the embodiment of ambition due to his aspirations in becoming a gentleman.
His character undertakes significant personal growth and development throughout the novel.

Estella:

Adoptive daughter of Miss Havisham.
She is depicted as beautiful but cold at heart who has been trained by Miss Havisham to break men’s hearts.
Pip falls deeply in love with Estella; however, she is incapable of returning his affection.
Her character serves as a source of unattainable love for Pip.

Miss Havisham:

A wealthy, eccentric woman traumatised by being jilted at the altar.
She immerses herself in her own bitterness and revenge, ensuring Estella is raised to break men’s hearts.
This character exemplifies how obsession with past wrongs can destroy a person’s life.

Joe Gargery:

Pip’s brother-in-law and moral compass of the story.
Despite being a blacksmith with limited education and social status, he showcases heartwarming compassion and patience towards Pip.
Represents unconditional love in Pip’s otherwise emotionally daunting life.

Abel Magwitch (Provis, The Convict):

A convict whom Pip helps at the beginning of the book.
Unveiled as his benefactor, causing Pip’s journey toward social mobility and moral enlightenment.
His life serves as a stark contrast to that of Pip, highlighting the fine line between socially acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Mr Jaggers and Wemmick:

Jagger is a lawyer who represents the institutionalised legal and justice systems appearing cold and indifferent.
Wemmick, his law clerk, although similarly detached at work, reveals a compassionate side in his domestic life, a distinct double life phenomenon.
Their characters “play” the law, shedding light on the novel’s critique of the legal system.

Participants need to understand these character profiles to better comprehend the motivations behind their behaviour and contributions to the thematic aspects of the novel. By analysing and understanding these characters’ behaviour, emotional responses and relationships with others, a deep and comprehensive understanding of Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ is achievable.