# LVII explained — Great Expectations

> Chapter companion for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Pip, recovering from his illness, is nursed back to health by Joe. He notices Joe becoming distant and realizes it is because Joe fears Pip will abandon him again. Pip resolves to confess everything to Joe and propose to Biddy, but Joe leaves a letter saying he has departed, having paid Pip's debts. Pip decides to follow Joe to the forge and carry out his plan.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Redemption

Pip feels deep remorse for his past treatment of Joe and seeks to make amends.

### Social Class and Ambition

Pip's changed fortune and his realization that his ambition caused him to neglect Joe.

### Love and Unrequited Devotion

Joe's selfless love and Pip's hope to win Biddy's affection.

## Character check-ins

### Pip

Recovering from illness, remorseful, resolves to confess to Joe and propose to Biddy.

### Joe Gargery

Nurses Pip, pays his debts, leaves a letter and departs to avoid intruding.

### Biddy

Pip plans to propose to her and confess his past mistakes.

### Orlick

Mentioned as having been arrested for breaking into Pumblechook's house.

### Mr. Pumblechook

His house was burgled by Orlick.

## Key lines

> how my great expectations had all dissolved, like our own marsh mists before the sun, I could not understand.

Pip cannot comprehend how his grand hopes have vanished completely, like the morning fog over the marshes.

_Pip reflects on the loss of his expectations._

> Not wishful to intrude I have departured fur you are well again dear Pip and will do better without Jo .

Joe writes that he has left because he does not want to be in the way, now that Pip is recovered and will manage better without him.

_Joe's farewell letter to Pip._

> I would go to Biddy, that I would show her how humbled and repentant I came back, that I would tell her how I had lost all I once hoped for, that I would remind her of our old confidences in my first unhappy time.

Pip plans to visit Biddy, confess his humility and regret, explain his lost hopes, and recall their past closeness.

_Pip's intention to propose to Biddy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters