# Great Expectations — Character guide

> Key figures in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

- [Pip](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/pip.md): Orphaned boy who rises from humble beginnings to become a gentleman, narrating his own story.
- [Estella](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/estella.md): Beautiful and cold-hearted ward of Miss Havisham, raised to break men's hearts.
- [Miss Havisham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/miss_havisham.md): Wealthy, reclusive spinster who was jilted on her wedding day and manipulates Pip and Estella.
- [Joe Gargery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/joe_gargery.md): Pip's kind-hearted brother-in-law and blacksmith, a constant moral compass.
- [Herbert Pocket](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/herbert_pocket.md): Pip's cheerful friend and roommate in London, who helps him navigate gentlemanly life.
- [Wemmick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/wemmick.md): Jaggers' clerk with a dual personality: dry at work, warm at home with his Aged Parent.
- [Jaggers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/jaggers.md): Powerful London lawyer who manages Pip's finances and mysterious benefactor.
- [Biddy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/biddy.md): Kind, intelligent young woman who becomes Pip's teacher and later Joe's wife.
- [Magwitch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/magwitch.md): Escaped convict who becomes Pip's secret benefactor, later revealed as Estella's father.
- [Mrs. Joe Gargery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mrs_joe_gargery.md): Pip's harsh, domineering sister who raises him 'by hand' until she is attacked.
- [Mr. Pumblechook](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/pumblechook.md): Pompous, sycophantic corn-chandler who takes credit for Pip's rise.
- [Mr. Wopsle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/wopsle.md): Church clerk turned actor who performs in London and witnesses Compeyson's death.
- [Compeyson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/compeyson.md): Smooth-talking criminal who jilted Miss Havisham and later opposes Magwitch.
- [Drummle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/drummle.md): Sullen, brutish gentleman who marries Estella and treats her cruelly.
- [Orlick](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/orlick.md): Jealous, violent journeyman blacksmith who attacks Mrs. Joe and later threatens Pip.
- [Mrs. Pocket](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mrs_pocket.md): Vain, distracted mother of many children who reads about titles while ignoring her family.
- [Mr. Matthew Pocket](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mr_pocket_senior.md): Herbert's father and Pip's tutor, a gentle scholar married to a foolish woman.
- [Sarah Pocket](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/sarah_pocket.md): Cousin of the Pockets who fawns over Miss Havisham and hopes for inheritance.
- [Clara Barley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/clara_barley.md): Gentle young woman who marries Herbert Pocket after caring for her bedridden father.
- [Miss Skiffins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/miss_skiffins.md): Practical woman who works for Wemmick and later becomes his wife.
- [Startop](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/startop.md): Friendly fellow student of Pip's at Mr. Pocket's, helps in Magwitch's escape.
- [Bill Barley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/bill_barley.md): Clara's bedridden, drunken father who raves from his room.
- [Mr. Trabb](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/trabb.md): Pompous tailor in Pip's hometown who makes Pip's gentleman's clothes.
- [Camilla](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/camilla.md): Grasping relative of Miss Havisham who constantly schemes for her money.
- [The Aged Parent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/aged_parent.md): Wemmick's deaf, cheerful father who lives in the little castle.
- [Flopson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/flopson.md): Nursemaid in the Pocket household, often struggling with the children.
- [Mike](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mike.md): Hapless client of Jaggers who frequently gets into trouble.
- [Jack](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/jack.md): One of the convicts on the prison ship who interacts with Magwitch.
- [Mr. Hubble](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/hubble.md): Wheelwright and his wife, friends of the Gargerys who dine with them.
- [Miss Jane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/miss_jane.md): Pip's younger sister, born after Mrs. Joe's attack, raised by Biddy and Joe.
- [Molly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/molly.md): Jaggers' mysterious housekeeper with strong hands, later revealed as Estella's mother.
- [Mr. Barnard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mr_barnard.md): Owner of Barnard's Inn where Pip and Herbert first lodge in London.
- [William](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/william.md): Servant at Miss Havisham's who admits Pip and Estella.
- [Clarriker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/clarriker.md): Shipping agent for whom Herbert works, later partners with him.
- [Tom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/tom.md): A sailor or acquaintance mentioned in passing at the Jolly Bargemen.
- [Old Clem](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/old_clem.md): Historical figure referenced in a song Joe sings while blacksmithing.
- [Mrs. Coiler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mrs_coiler.md): Acquaintance of the Pockets who visits and flatters Mrs. Pocket.
- [Arthur](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/arthur.md): Miss Havisham's half-brother who helped Compeyson deceive her.
- [Georgiana](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/georgiana.md): Relative of Miss Havisham who visits and hopes for her favor.
- [Cousin Raymond](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/cousin_raymond.md): Another relative of Miss Havisham, part of the greedy circle.
- [John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/john.md): A sailor from Sunderland who briefly appears at the Jolly Bargemen.
- [Papa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/papa.md): Term used by the Pocket children for their father Matthew Pocket.
- [Mr. Havisham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mr_havisham.md): Miss Havisham's deceased father who made his fortune as a brewer.
- [George Barnwell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/george_barnwell.md): Character in a play performed by Mr. Wopsle, a murderous apprentice.
- [Richard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/richard.md): Historical king referenced in Wopsle's theatrical ambitions.
- [Tickler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/tickler.md): The cane Mrs. Joe uses to beat Pip, treated almost as a character.
- [Belinda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/belinda.md): Mrs. Pocket's maid who helps with the children.
- [Mrs. Brandley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mrs_brandley.md): Woman who runs the hotel where Pip stays in London.
- [Sophia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/sophia.md): One of Mrs. Pocket's many children, briefly mentioned.
- [Mrs. Whimple](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mrs_whimple.md): Landlady of the house where Clara Barley lives with her father.
- [Young Rantipole](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/young_rantipole.md): Nickname for one of the Pocket children, meaning wild or reckless.
- [Miss A.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/miss_a.md): Initials used by Estella in a letter to Pip.
- [Mr. Campbell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mr_campbell.md): Alias used by Magwitch when hiding in London.
- [Chinks](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/chinks.md): Nickname for a boy at Mr. Wopsle's evening school.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/characters