Great Expectations (Grades 9–1) York Notes

The narrator and central character of Great Expectations, Pip is an orphaned blacksmith’s boy who mysteriously becomes a city gentleman.

A tragic heiress who has descended into madness after being jilted at the altar, she befriends Pip and adopts Pip’s great love, Estella.

An escaped convict who encounters the young Pip and later becomes Pip’s mysterious benefactor after making a fortune in farming when deported to Australia.

Pip’s kindly and gentle blacksmith brother-in-law who quietly acts as a reminder to Pip of what it is to be good and honest.

The illegitimate child of criminals Magwitch and Molly, Estella is raised by Miss Havisham to take revenge on all males, bringing only tragedy on herself.