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Great Expectations
Greatexpectations vol1.jpg
Title page of Vol. 1 of first edition, July 1861
Author Charles Dickens
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Series Weekly: 1 December 1860 – 3 August 1861
Genre Realistic fiction
Publisher Chapman & Hall
Publication date
 1861 (in three volumes)
Media type Print

Great Expectations is a famous novel written by Charles Dickens. It tells the story of an orphan boy named Philip Pirrip, who everyone calls "Pip." The book shows how Pip grows up and learns about life.

The story was first published in parts, like a TV show today, in Dickens' magazine All the Year Round. This happened from December 1860 to August 1861. Later, in October 1861, the whole story was put together into three books.

The novel is set in England during the early to mid-1800s. It takes place in the marshy areas of Kent and in the big city of London. Right from the start, Pip has a very exciting and a bit scary meeting with an escaped prisoner named Abel Magwitch. Great Expectations is a vivid book, full of strong pictures. It shows things like poverty, old prison ships, and big challenges.

Dickens himself thought Great Expectations was his best work. He called it "a very fine idea." He was also very happy when his friends praised the book.

Meet the Characters

The book has many memorable characters. These include:

  • Miss Havisham: A strange and wealthy old woman who wears her wedding dress every day.
  • Estella: A beautiful but cold girl who Miss Havisham has raised.
  • Joe Gargery: A kind and generous blacksmith who is like a father to Pip.
  • Uncle Pumblechook: A dry and self-important man who often brags.
  • Herbert Pocket: A friendly and wise young man who becomes Pip's good friend.

Big Ideas in the Story

Throughout the story, Dickens explores many important ideas. These are common themes in his books:

  • Wealth and Poverty: The difference between being rich and being poor.
  • Love and Rejection: How people feel love and how they deal with being turned away.
  • Good vs. Evil: The fight between right and wrong, and how good often wins in the end.

Why is it Famous?

Great Expectations has been translated into many different languages. It has also been made into movies, TV shows, and plays many times. This shows how popular and important the story remains today.


Images for kids

  • "Well, Pip, you know, . . . . you yourself see me put 'em in my 'at" (ch. 13)

    Pip is ashamed of Joe at Satis House, by Francis Arthur Fraser

  • Breakhisheart

    Miss Havisham with Estella and Pip. Art by H. M. Brock

  • Pip-magwitch

    Magwitch makes himself known to Pip

  • The Aged P., by Sol Eytinge, Jr.

    Mr Wemmick and "The Aged P.", illustration by Sol Eytinge Jr.

  • Charles Dickens - Project Gutenberg eText 13103

    Charles Dickens, c. 1860

  • Publicité pour Great Expectations dans All the Year Round

    Advertisement for Great Expectations in All the Year Round

  • Dickensjunior-1874

    Charles Dickens Jr. (in 1874), possibly the model for Herbert Pocket

  • Charles Dickens and Rochester (1880) (14581569870)

    Satis House as depicted in Great Expectations

  • Restoration House, Rochester

    Restoration House from The Vines

  • Ch. 34 Pip, Biddy, followed by Orlick

    Pip and Biddy followed by Orlick (chapter 17), by John McLenan

  • Let me sit listening as I would, with dread

    Pip before Magwitch's return, by John McLenan

  • Mr Wopsle as Hamlet, by Harry Furniss

    Mr Wopsle as Hamlet, by Harry Furniss

  • George III Third Guinea 73244

    George III guinea, a gold coin worth 21 shillings

  • "And may I--May I--?"

    Mr Pumblechook: "And may I—May I—?", by John McLenan

  • (ch.20) "Say another word--one single word--and Wemmick shall give you your money back"

    Chapter 20, outside Bartholomew Close, Jaggers threatening a woman with a shawl called Amelia, by F. A. Fraser

  • "Pip's a gentleman of fortune, then" said Joe, "and God bless him in it!"

    Joe commenting on Pip's good fortune, by John McLenan

  • "Look here", said Herbert (Herbert Pocket

    Herbert Pocket and Pip in London, by John McLenan

  • Do you take tea, or coffee, Mr Gargery?, by F. A. Fraser, c. 1877

    "Do you take tea, or coffee, Mr Gargery?" by FA Fraser, c. 1877

  • "Joe now sat down to his great work,"etc.

    Joe learns to read by John McLenan

  • "Hold me! I'm so frightened!" (Trabb's boy)

    Trabb's boy mocks Pip in the village highstreet outside the post-office by John McLenan

  • Mrs. Pocket And Her Family by Harry Furniss. 1910.

    Mrs Pocket and her children indulging in idleness by Harry Furniss (1910)

  • "He was taken on board, and instantly manacled at the wrists and ankles."

    Magwitch's arrest after his capture on the Thames while trying escape to France, by John McLenan

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Grandes esperanzas para niños

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