Great Expectations · Chapter
Chapter XXXIII explained
Pip accompanies Estella to Richmond, where she is to live with a lady of station.
What happens
Pip accompanies Estella to Richmond, where she is to live with a lady of station. During their time together, Estella reveals the hatred and scheming of Miss Havisham's relatives, offers Pip her hand in a moment of shared understanding, and allows him to kiss her cheek. Pip is left with a heartache, knowing he is never truly happy with her.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Unrequited Devotion
Pip's deep but painful love for Estella is central; he is miserable yet unable to resist her.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Estella's manner seems more winning, but Pip knows her affection is not genuine; the relatives' schemes and false sympathy are also highlighted.
Social Class and Ambition
Estella's move to Richmond to be introduced to society and Pip's envy of little Jane's lover reflect class aspirations.
Characters to notice
- Pip
Pip accompanies Estella to Richmond, feeling both happiness and misery in her presence.
- Estella
Estella is going to live in Richmond, speaks of Miss Havisham's plans, and reveals the hatred of the Pocket family toward Pip.
- Miss Havisham
Mentioned as having plans for Estella and being beset by relatives who scheme against Pip.
- Herbert Pocket
Referred to as Mr. Matthew, praised by Estella as disinterested and above jealousy.
- Mrs. Pocket
Found at home with the baby and a needle-case, reading her book of dignities.
- Flopson
Mentioned as the nursemaid who is absent with a relative in the Foot Guards.
Key passages
“It was the first time she had ever called me by my name. Of course she did so purposely, and knew that I should treasure it up.”
Estella called Pip by his name for the first time, deliberately knowing he would cherish the moment.
Highlights Pip's emotional vulnerability and Estella's calculated behavior.
“I thought that with her I could have been happy there for life. (I was not at all happy there at the time, observe, and I knew it well.)”
Pip imagined he could be happy forever with Estella, even though he was acutely aware of his actual unhappiness.
Illustrates the theme of unrequited devotion and self-deception.
“You speak of yourself as if you were someone else.”
Pip observes that Estella talks about herself as though she were a detached observer.
Reveals Estella's emotional detachment and the influence of Miss Havisham's upbringing.