Phillip Pirrip, or Pip as he is affectionately known, was orphaned as a small child and left to be raised by his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband. Joe, a blacksmith was more Pip's friend than a father figure. Mrs. Joe Gargery never let either of them forget how difficult it was for her to raise Pip up "by hand" and serve as Joe's wife. Joe and Pip found solace in their friendship and were able to live happily despite Mrs. Gargery's temper and fondness of striking with "the tickler", a switch she used to beat both her husband and her brother.

While visiting the local cemetery, where his parents are

Pip studies under the direction of Matthew Pocket, Miss Havisham's cousin and shares an apartment with his mentor's son Herbert. He befriends Wemmick, Jaggers' clerk and even dines socially with Jaggers occasionally. In London, Pip lives extravagantly. He dines out and views plays. He and Herbert are living well beyond their means. This is a life quite different from the one he had led with Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gargery.

Pip decides not accept Magwitch's money, which means he can no longer afford to pay into his friend Herbert Pocket's partnership. When Miss Havisham calls him for a visit she offers to take on the debt to Pocket's employer as a service to Pip. She asks Pip for forgiveness," Until you spoke to her the other day, and until I saw in you a looking glass that showed me what I once felt myself. I did not know what I had done. What have I done! What have I done (Dickens, 371)."

After nearly a year of visiting Miss Havisham and Estella, Pip is apprenticed to Joe. His days at Satis House end but he continues to dream of a life of riches and culture. He learns to be a blacksmith. During this time, Pip saves his money for books and aspires to become a gentleman. He is ashamed of his life with Joe and his family and dreams of life, as it was when he was visiting Satis House.

Pip does not stay in touch with Joe and Biddy, and his sister is not the same after suffering as the victim of an attack. When a letter arrives from Joe announcing a visit to London, the reader becomes aware of just how ashamed of his past Pip is.

When Pip arrives in London and meets more and more people who seem to be tied to Miss Havisham he is even more strongly convinced that she is his sponsor. He convinces himself that Miss Havisham has provided him the opportunity to become a gentleman because she wants him to marry Estella. This thought motivates Pip throughout the story. He has come to London to become a gentleman but he truly believes that the beautiful Estella will be his prize.

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Approximate Word count = 2852
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)