Indubitably, Pip's life is altered by his first
experiences at Satis House where he meets Miss Havisham, the pale young gentleman, and
the beautiful and haughty Estella. For, it is there that his burgeoning
self-perception as "coarse and common" commences. Perceiving the aristocratic class as
superior to him, Pip initiates his aspirations of becoming a gentleman so that he will
not be common and he can, then, be eligible to win the heart of Estella, whom Miss
Havisham certainly encourages him to love.
When Mr.
Jaggers, the dark gentleman whom Pip has encountered on the stairs at Satis House brings
the news that he is to have "great expectations," Pip assumes that Miss Havisham is his
benefactor. Later, having received Pip when he calls upon her and asked him several
pertinent questions while at the same time gloating on Pip's responses which upset Miss
Sarah Pocket who is present, Miss Havisham tells Pip,
"You have a promising career before you. Be
good--deserve it--and abide by Mr. Jaggers's
instructions."
When she
stretches out her hand, Pip goes to one knee and kisses this hand, taking leave of his
"fairy godmother" who gloats upon this act. Further, Miss Havisham contributes more to
Pip's expectations because she continues to encourage Pip to love Estella as she has Pip
call upon her at Satis House after Estella returns from her schooling. Pip is also asked
by her to meet Estella at the stage whenever she comes to London; in addition, Pip is
given instructions to call upon Estella at Richmond where she lives with a wealthy woman
who introduces Estella to London society. Thus, it remains Pip's hope that he will
marry Estella. And, it is not until Magwitch arrives and reveals that he is Pip's true
benefactor that Pip realizes that Miss Havisham has never intended to make him a
gentleman or give him "great expectations."
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