Character guide

Pip

major

Also known as Philip Pirrip, Pirrip, Young Pip, Mr. Pip, Dear Pip, little Pip

Orphaned boy who rises from humble beginnings to become a gentleman, narrating his own story.

Estella

major

Also known as Miss Estella

Beautiful and cold-hearted ward of Miss Havisham, raised to break men's hearts.

Miss Havisham

major

Also known as Havisham

Wealthy, reclusive spinster who was jilted on her wedding day and manipulates Pip and Estella.

Joe Gargery

major

Also known as Joe, Mr. Gargery, Gargery, Joseph Gargery, dear Joe

Pip's kind-hearted brother-in-law and blacksmith, a constant moral compass.

Herbert Pocket

supporting

Also known as Mr. Herbert Pocket, Herbert, Mr. Pocket, Expecting Herbert

Pip's cheerful friend and roommate in London, who helps him navigate gentlemanly life.

Wemmick

supporting

Also known as Mr. Wemmick

Jaggers' clerk with a dual personality: dry at work, warm at home with his Aged Parent.

Jaggers

supporting

Also known as Mr. Jaggers

Powerful London lawyer who manages Pip's finances and mysterious benefactor.

Biddy

supporting

Also known as poor Biddy, dear Biddy, Dear Biddy

Kind, intelligent young woman who becomes Pip's teacher and later Joe's wife.

Magwitch

major

Also known as Abel Magwitch, Abel, Provis, Mr. Provis, Dear Magwitch

Escaped convict who becomes Pip's secret benefactor, later revealed as Estella's father.

Mrs. Joe Gargery

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Joe, Mrs. Joe Gargery

Pip's harsh, domineering sister who raises him 'by hand' until she is attacked.

Mr. Pumblechook

supporting

Also known as Pumblechook, Uncle Pumblechook, bullying old Pumblechook, the servile Pumblechook

Pompous, sycophantic corn-chandler who takes credit for Pip's rise.

Mr. Wopsle

supporting

Also known as Wopsle, stimulating Mr. Wopsle, the unfortunate Wopsle, Mr. Waldengarver, Waldengarver

Church clerk turned actor who performs in London and witnesses Compeyson's death.

Compeyson

supporting

Also known as Ware Compeyson

Smooth-talking criminal who jilted Miss Havisham and later opposes Magwitch.

Drummle

supporting

Also known as Mr. Drummle, Bentley Drummle, Bentley, the Spider, Spider, this blundering Drummle

Sullen, brutish gentleman who marries Estella and treats her cruelly.

Orlick

supporting

Also known as Old Orlick, gruff Old Orlick, Dolge Orlick

Jealous, violent journeyman blacksmith who attacks Mrs. Joe and later threatens Pip.

Mrs. Pocket

minor

Also known as dear Mrs. Pocket, Mr. and Mrs. Pocket

Vain, distracted mother of many children who reads about titles while ignoring her family.

Mr. Matthew Pocket

minor

Also known as Matthew, Mr. Matthew Pocket, young Mr. Pocket, Mr. Pocket

Herbert's father and Pip's tutor, a gentle scholar married to a foolish woman.

Sarah Pocket

minor

Also known as Miss Pocket, Miss Sarah Pocket, Sarah, Sally

Cousin of the Pockets who fawns over Miss Havisham and hopes for inheritance.

Clara Barley

minor

Also known as Clara, Miss Clara Barley, pretty Clara, Clara Barley

Gentle young woman who marries Herbert Pocket after caring for her bedridden father.

Miss Skiffins

minor

Also known as Skiffins

Practical woman who works for Wemmick and later becomes his wife.

Startop

minor

Also known as Hereupon Startop

Friendly fellow student of Pip's at Mr. Pocket's, helps in Magwitch's escape.

Bill Barley

minor

Also known as old Bill Barley, Barley, Old Barley, Mr. Barley

Clara's bedridden, drunken father who raves from his room.

Mr. Trabb

minor

Also known as Trabb

Pompous tailor in Pip's hometown who makes Pip's gentleman's clothes.

Camilla

minor

Also known as Camilla, Matthew, Mr. Camilla, Mrs. Camilla, Mistress Camilla

Grasping relative of Miss Havisham who constantly schemes for her money.

The Aged Parent

minor

Also known as the Aged, The Aged, Aged P., the Aged P., Aged One

Wemmick's deaf, cheerful father who lives in the little castle.

Flopson

minor

Also known as Millers, Flopson and Millers

Nursemaid in the Pocket household, often struggling with the children.

Mike

minor

Also known as the unfortunate Mike

Hapless client of Jaggers who frequently gets into trouble.

Jack

minor

Also known as the Jack

One of the convicts on the prison ship who interacts with Magwitch.

Mr. Hubble

minor

Also known as Mrs. Hubble, Mr. and Mrs. Hubble

Wheelwright and his wife, friends of the Gargerys who dine with them.

Miss Jane

minor

Also known as little Jane, Jane, Little Jane

Pip's younger sister, born after Mrs. Joe's attack, raised by Biddy and Joe.

Molly

minor

Also known as Mary Anne

Jaggers' mysterious housekeeper with strong hands, later revealed as Estella's mother.

Mr. Barnard

minor

Also known as Barnard

Owner of Barnard's Inn where Pip and Herbert first lodge in London.

William

minor

Servant at Miss Havisham's who admits Pip and Estella.

Clarriker

minor

Also known as one Clarriker

Shipping agent for whom Herbert works, later partners with him.

Tom

minor

Also known as Captain Tom

A sailor or acquaintance mentioned in passing at the Jolly Bargemen.

Old Clem

minor

Also known as Clem

Historical figure referenced in a song Joe sings while blacksmithing.

Mrs. Coiler

minor

Acquaintance of the Pockets who visits and flatters Mrs. Pocket.

Arthur

minor

Miss Havisham's half-brother who helped Compeyson deceive her.

Georgiana

minor

Also known as Miss Georgiana

Relative of Miss Havisham who visits and hopes for her favor.

Cousin Raymond

minor

Also known as Raymond, The Raymond

Another relative of Miss Havisham, part of the greedy circle.

John

minor

Also known as the John of Sunderland

A sailor from Sunderland who briefly appears at the Jolly Bargemen.

Papa

minor

Term used by the Pocket children for their father Matthew Pocket.

Mr. Havisham

minor

Miss Havisham's deceased father who made his fortune as a brewer.

George Barnwell

minor

Also known as Barnwell, George

Character in a play performed by Mr. Wopsle, a murderous apprentice.

Richard

minor

Also known as Richard the Third

Historical king referenced in Wopsle's theatrical ambitions.

Tickler

minor

The cane Mrs. Joe uses to beat Pip, treated almost as a character.

Belinda

minor

Mrs. Pocket's maid who helps with the children.

Mrs. Brandley

minor

Woman who runs the hotel where Pip stays in London.

Sophia

minor

One of Mrs. Pocket's many children, briefly mentioned.

Mrs. Whimple

minor

Landlady of the house where Clara Barley lives with her father.

Young Rantipole

minor

Nickname for one of the Pocket children, meaning wild or reckless.

Miss A.

minor

Initials used by Estella in a letter to Pip.

Mr. Campbell

minor

Alias used by Magwitch when hiding in London.

Chinks

minor

Nickname for a boy at Mr. Wopsle's evening school.