Great Expectations, 2nd Stage

One character that helps enhance themes and motifs is Herbert, also known as, "The pale young gentleman." He cleans up some of the confusion that is brought up in stage one. He tells Pip about Miss Havisham and is the same boy who fought Pip in the yard. Charles Dickens includes many characters who have a brief part in the beginning but come back to have a greater role. Mr. Jaggers, the man who Pip walked past on the stairs at Miss Havisham's house comes back to be the giver of Pip's great expectations. Self improvements is a big theme in Great Expectations because of how Pip longs to be a gentleman. Toward the end of the first stage and the beginning of the second, Pip's dreams come true. The main cause of self improvement is for Estella and Miss Havisham. Pip is ashamed of home and pictures Estella laughing at him while he worked at the forge with Joe.

A motif that we talked about in class was Dickens use of doubles. The main example so far is Biddy and Estella. Estella is a wealthy ward who is put to work trying to break Pip's heart, as Miss Havisham tells her whenever she happens to be around Pip. Biddy is a girl Pip's age who is very intelligent but is not high class or wealthy. Biddy is sweet and caring and advices Pip when he needs it. When they are walking in the marshes together, he tells her how he likes Estella so much and wants to see her. Biddy tells him that is not a good idea and really she is right. Not only are Biddy and Estella doubles but so are Mrs. Joe and Miss Havisham. Both of these women are invalid. These women are cruel and selfish but Miss Havisham is upper class and wealthy and Mrs. Joe is not.