Great Expectations Flashcards
How does the story begin and with who?
At a cemetery where the main character Pip is staring at his parent’s graves
What happens to Pip at the beginning of the book?
Pip is coerced into helping a convict escape; the convict is still captured but Pip isn’t implicated in helping
Where does Pip’s uncle take him, who does Pip meet as a result? How did he/she make her fortune?
Uncle Pumblechook takes him to Satis House, home of a wealthy dowager, Miss Havisham, where Pip meets Estella; Havisham’s family fortune was made through a brewery
How does Estella treat Pip?
Coldly and contemptuously
What become of Pip’s hopes to marry Estella
Pip is trained to be a common laborer
Who is Pip apprenticed to? Who does Pip also meet?
His brother-in-law Joe, who is the village blacksmith; Pip also meets and studies with Biddy
What happens to Pip’s sister, Mrs. Joe and who does he suspect did it?
She is viciously attacked, probably by Orlick
What fortunate event happens to Pip and who brings him the good news?
Jaggers, an attorney, told Pip he suddenly received a lot of money, and could become a gentleman
Who does Pip think gave him the money and why?
Miss Havisham, to marry Estella
Who does Pip study with in London?
Matthew Pocket
What comes of Orlick and Mrs. Joe?
Orick is employed as Miss Havisham’s porter, but is fired by Jaggers thanks to Pip; Mrs. Joe unfortunately dies
What figure from the beginning of the book does Pip see again, what is his name, and what did he do?
The convict, Magwitch, who is the secret benefactor of Pip’s fortune; He made a lot of money in Australia to repay Pip for his kindness in the cemetery
What is revealed about Estella and Miss Havisham?
Estella is Magwitch’s daughter, and has been trained by Havisham, who was dumped by his former crime partner, Compeyson, to play with men’s emotions as revenge for her own pain
What comes of Estella and Miss Havisham?
Estella marries Bentley Drummle, an upper-class but mean and uncaring man, and Miss Havisham, after begging for forgiveness, nearly burns to death
Does Pip get Magwitch out of London? What comes of Compeyson?
Magwitch does not get out and is sentenced to death; however he does drown Compeyson
How does the story end?
Orlick goes to jail for trying to rob Pumblechook, Havisham dies and leaves her money to the Pockets, Biddy and Joe get married, and Pip joins his friend Herbert Pocket into the mercantile business
Is there another ending to the story?
Yes; Drummle dies, Estella remarries, and Pip and Estella briefly see each other
What is the moral theme of Great Expectations?
Affection, loyalty, and conscience are more important than social advancement and material things
How does Pip’s ideology relate to the title of the book?
Pip has the drive to want to improve his social standing and livelihood, largely because of Estella, and thus has “great expectations” for his future
What does three things about himself does Pip want to improve?
Morals, social life, and education
Does Pip treat Joe and Biddy with respect?
No, and he later is kicking himself over this
How does Pip change as a gentleman?
He doesn’t change at all
How do Pip’s views on self-improvement change?
With Magwitch’s generosity, Joe’s hard work, and Drummle’s negative example
How does Dickens reinforce the themes of ambition and self-improvement?
He ignores nobility and aristocracy, and focused instead on those who earned their fortune through things like commerce
