# Chapter XV explained — Great Expectations

> Chapter companion for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Pip's education with Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt ends, and Biddy teaches him what she knows. Pip tries to educate Joe to make him less common, but Joe struggles to retain anything. Pip considers visiting Miss Havisham again, but Joe advises against it. Pip visits Miss Havisham on his half-holiday, but she is cold and dismissive, mentioning Estella is abroad. Later, Pip endures a dramatic reading of 'George Barnwell' by Mr. Wopsle at Pumblechook's, feeling personally accused. On the way home, they encounter Orlick lurking in the fog.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Pip's desire to educate Joe reflects his growing ambition to rise above his humble origins and be worthy of Estella.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Pip's visit to Miss Havisham reveals her coldness and the illusion of his expectations, while the play 'George Barnwell' falsely implicates Pip in criminal intentions.

## Character check-ins

### Pip

Pip tries to educate Joe, visits Miss Havisham, and feels dissatisfied with his home and trade.

### Joe Gargery

Joe receives lessons from Pip but fails to retain information; he advises Pip against visiting Miss Havisham.

### Miss Havisham

Pip visits Miss Havisham; she is cold, dismissive, and mentions Estella is abroad.

### Orlick

Orlick resents Pip, demands a half-holiday, and later lurks in the fog on the way home.

### Mrs. Joe Gargery

Mrs. Joe scolds Joe for giving Orlick a half-holiday and argues with Orlick.

### Mr. Wopsle

Mr. Wopsle reads 'George Barnwell' dramatically at Pumblechook's, making Pip feel accused.

## Key lines

> I wanted to make Joe less ignorant and common, that he might be worthier of my society and less open to Estella’s reproach.

Pip tries to educate Joe so that Joe will be more socially acceptable and not embarrass Pip in front of Estella.

_Pip's motivation for teaching Joe is rooted in his own social insecurity and desire for Estella's approval._

> Miss Havisham and Estella and the strange house and the strange life appeared to have something to do with everything that was picturesque.

Pip associates Miss Havisham and Estella with everything beautiful and romantic in his surroundings.

_Pip's idealization of Miss Havisham and Estella colors his perception of the world._

> What stung me, was the identification of the whole affair with my unoffending self.

Pip is hurt because the play 'George Barnwell' seems to be aimed at him, making him feel guilty by association.

_Pip feels personally attacked by the moralizing of the play and the reactions of Pumblechook and Wopsle._

## Links

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