# Chapter XXXIII explained — Great Expectations

> Chapter companion for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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