Book Summary

Great Expectations is a novel about an orphan boy named ‘Pip’ who is being raised by his sister and her husband. Pip encounters many memorable characters including: the kind-hearted but poorly educated Joe; his unfair and abusive sister; the eccentric and hate-filled Ms. Havisham; the beautiful but cruel Estella; the smart and quiet Biddy; the snobby Mr. Pumblechook; and most importantly the convict. One day, out of the blue, a man who goes by the name of ‘Mr. Jaggers’ comes by the Gargery residence and announces that Pip has been granted a large sum of money and is wanted in London where he will be taught how to be a gentleman. He happily accepts the offer, believing it will help him win Estella over. In the end, Pip learns that we cannot always get what we want, money does not buy happiness, and great expectations often fall flat.