Great Expectations

Great Expectations is a novel by Charles Dickens, first published in 1861. One of Dickens’s most celebrated works, it reflects the social tensions, class structures, and moral questions of Victorian England. The novel originally appeared in weekly installments, and its gripping narrative and vivid characters quickly made it a cornerstone of classic English literature. The story follows Pip, a young orphan raised by his strict sister and her kindly blacksmith husband, Joe Gargery. Pip’s life changes dramatically after a series of encounters - some unsettling, some mysterious - that open his eyes to a wider world. The enigmatic Miss Havisham, frozen in time amid the ruins of her own heartbreak, and the beautiful but emotionally distant Estella become central figures in Pip’s journey. As Pip strives to rise above his humble beginnings, the novel explores themes of self-improvement, social mobility, and the consequences of misguided expectations. Dickens uses Pip’s perspective to examine the contrasts between wealth and poverty, innocence and experience, loyalty and ambition. Through richly atmospheric settings, from rural marshlands to the bustling, unforgiving streets of London, the novel offers a striking portrait of Victorian society. Its blend of mystery, drama, moral reflection, and memorable character arcs makes it a lasting favourite for readers of classic fiction and 19th-century literature.