Great Expectations

Pip's life is forever altered by encounters with a convict, Miss Havisham, and a mysterious benefactor in Great Expectations, leading to profound revelations.

In Great Expectations, readers are introduced to Pip, a young orphan whose life takes a dramatic turn after a series of unexpected encounters. His journey begins with a chilling meeting with the escaped convict Abel Magwitch in a desolate graveyard on the Kent marshes. This encounter sets off a chain of events that leads him to the enigmatic Miss Havisham, a bitter woman living in a decaying mansion, and her beautiful yet cold-hearted ward, Estella. Through these pivotal moments, Pip's understanding of wealth, love, and social status begins to evolve.

As Pip navigates his new life, he experiences a sudden stroke of fortune when he receives generous support from an anonymous benefactor. This unexpected windfall propels him into the world of the upper class, where he grapples with his newfound expectations and the reality of his origins. The novel intricately weaves themes of ambition, betrayal, and self-discovery, ultimately guiding Pip toward a deeper understanding of what it means to truly be a gentleman.

Great Expectations is not just a tale of personal growth; it also serves as a critique of Victorian society and its rigid class structures. This definitive edition includes valuable appendices on Dickens's original ending, providing insight into the author's creative process. With notes and an introduction by David Trotter and Charlotte Mitchell, this edition offers a comprehensive look at one of Dickens's most celebrated works.