Great Expectations · Chapter
XXIX explained
Pip visits Miss Havisham's house, now guarded by Orlick, and reunites with Estella, who has returned from France.
What happens
Pip visits Miss Havisham's house, now guarded by Orlick, and reunites with Estella, who has returned from France. He reflects on his deep, irrational love for her and his shame about his past. They walk in the garden, and later play whist with Jaggers. Pip resolves to love Estella endlessly, while his guilt about neglecting Joe lingers.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Unrequited Devotion
Pip's obsessive love for Estella is central; he loves her 'against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness.'
Social Class and Ambition
Pip's shame about Joe and the forge contrasts with his aspirations tied to Estella and wealth.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Pip romanticizes his role as a 'young knight' rescuing Estella, while ignoring the moral cost of his ambitions.
Characters to notice
- Pip
Pip visits Satis House, reflecting on his love for Estella and his shame about his humble origins.
- Estella
Estella has returned from France, proud and beautiful, treating Pip with cool superiority.
- Miss Havisham
Miss Havisham encourages Pip to love Estella and arranges their time together.
- Orlick
Orlick has become the gate-porter at Miss Havisham's, showing resentment toward Pip.
- Jaggers
Jaggers joins them for whist, his cold presence unsettling Pip.
- Herbert Pocket
Mentioned as the pale young gentleman Pip fought years ago.
Key passages
“I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”
Pip acknowledges that his love for Estella is irrational and doomed, yet he cannot help himself.
This passage captures the theme of unrequited devotion and Pip's internal conflict.
“I never thought there was anything low and small in my keeping away from Joe, because I knew she would be contemptuous of him.”
Pip admits he avoids Joe out of fear that Estella would look down on him.
Highlights Pip's shame and the corrosive effect of social ambition on his relationships.