1. INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY
SUBJECT: FICTION
TOPIC: SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE GREAT EXPECTATION AND
PIP’S EXPECTATIONS
SUBMITTED TO: MADAM NEELAM
SUBMITTED BY: HUMA ASLAM
HUMA HAFEEZ
KINZA GHAFOOR
SUMAIRA BIBI
DATE: 25 MAY, 2012
2. The title of the novel great expectations by Charles dickens is a very significant one. The title
can be evaluated by different aspects. The title is ironic and it also has the autobiographical
aspect of Charles dickens prominent in it. The title itself suggests that different characters in the
novel are going to have different expectations. The expectations of the readers are also taken into
account. Along all these aspects expectations of Pip; the protagonist are emphasized in a
remarkable way.
Most importantly Charles dickens own expectations are reflected through the novel‟s title. His
suppressed desires and expectations are expressed especially through the personality of the main
character Pip. Dickens depicts the Victorian society. He was oppressed and disheartened by the
cruel and harsh evils which were prevalent in the society at that time; child hood labor,
hypocrisy, slothfulness, broken families and class discrimination were the evils which flourished
rapidly. Thus Charles dickens has represented all these occurrences through the character of Pip.
So, fundamentally dickens expectations lie in the reformation of the contemporary society which
is portrayed through Pip as he also wants to reform himself.
The title of the novel “Great Expectations” has been chosen well. It has overtones of ironic
bitterness. The great expectations of various characters have an extricable connection. The title is
so obviously ironic. Pip‟s so called expectations are exposed being so empty and vain when he
realizes that it‟s a convict who has been providing for him so that he could pas superficially as a
„gentleman‟ and that he has actually been in love all these years with a murderess‟ daughter.
The Title of the Novel “Great Expectations” has a notable significance for its readers ,as
well. The subject matter of the Novel remains the same throughout; which is common to all
individual‟s lives and is universal. Everyone has some expectations in one‟s life and thus he
strives for the achievement of something better as pip does, in fact the reader identifies himself
with the character of pip.
In the 18th Chapter of the Novel it can be perceived for the first time that why the book
been named “Great Expectations”. There is a sudden dramatic development when the London
lawyer Mr. Jaggers suddenly appears at the bargemen in and then comes to Joes place bringing
the unexpected message that Pip would come into a handsome property and be brought up as a
gentleman in a word, as a young fellow of Great Expectations. Thus the phrase becomes the title
of this great novel. If the expectations of other characters analysis one come to know that almost
every character is prisoned in the cage of desires and wishes. The hero of the novel, Pi is in
search for identity and a family. He wished to be educated in order to get social status and to
become gentleman. He also fancies gaining his love Estella. Miss Havisham is a character who
as a young woman left by her fiancé just minute before her wedding. Hence forth , due to which
still “She was dressed in rich materials – satin lace and silks- all of white ….And she has a long
white veil dependent from her hair and she had bridal flower in her hair , but her hair was white”.
So, her expectation is to obtain revenge on the male sex and so she adopts Estella and
deliberately raises her to be the tool of her revenge.
3. Another important character is Magwitch who was an escaped convict. The kind help of Pip
becomes unforgettable for him that‟s why is devotes himself to earning money that he denotes to
Pip without making him aware that who actually is denoting. Moreover, relatives of Mis
Havisham also have great expectation in a sense that they expect the inheritance of lot of wealth
and money to themselves after the death of Miss Havisham but even that expectation or desire
remains unfulfilled .
Similarly when Pip returns from Miss Havisham house, Mrs. joe hopes to be well mannered.
Along Mrs. Joe, Pumblechook also seems to have some expectations from Pip that Miss
Havisham might help Pip in gaining status as Pip says “while they sat debating what results
would come to me from Miss Havisham acquaintance and favor. They had no doubt that Miss
Havisham would do something for me; there doubts related to form that something would take.
My sister stood out for property .M r Pumble chook was in favor of handsome premium for
binding me apprentice to some genteel trade”. But all their hopes were devastated.
Pip has different stages of expectations which are interlinked with developmental phases of his
life. Pips expectations seems to be the main concern as these are more emphasized than those of
others . Foremost aspect of Pips life is that he lacks a proper family he is an orphan her sister is
responsible for bringing him up. The treatment that she gives him has made him fragile and
sensitive the girl Estella also insults him by calling him a boy, though she is of his age. Thus in
such a way the complex of inferiority and uncertainty are induce into his personality. Hence forth
the urge of getting some status in the society has been induced in his mind. Pip has distorted
family structure though he has a mother like sister with “hard and heavy hand” and a father like
brother in-law; Mr. Joe.
Another important desire of Pip is to acquire education in order to become a gentleman, he wants
to be educated so that he could be a knowledgeable and well mannered person so that he could
become uncommon and respectable. He wants to enjoy some social status in society. This urge
comes into his mind due to the attitude of Estella, her proud and haughty behavior with him. She
makes fun of him by pointing out his “thick boots” and “coarse hands” again and again. This
inferiority complex induce by Estella forces pip for “becoming uncommon” and he knows that it
can only be done making himself educated and well mannered . The behavior of Estella and
influence of Satis house put so pressure on Pips mind and his expectations has grown so much
that he even starts feeling a ashamed of his poor little house, of Joe‟s mannerism and education.
All these things seems to be a hurdle in his way of becoming a gentleman as he says “I wished
that Joe had been rather more gently brought u and then I should have been so too”. Therefore
instantly takes the help if biddy to read and right.
Pips sees his expectation being fulfilled when a lawyer named Mr. Jaggers advocates I kind of
different education for Pip , for that now he is supposed to be a gentle man rather than
blacksmith. When he takes him away to London, Pip energetically gets involved into becoming a
gentleman. The expectation of being wealthy and rich provides him a stimulus to be a egoistic
4. and haughty. Now the ways of upper class attract him and so he starts adopting them, due to
which he feels embracement of his previous relatives as David Daiches says „Pip seeks to
become a gentleman and to wash from his mouth forever the flavor of his early life‟. Pip thinks
that being wealthy and gaining a social status are the requisite for being a gentleman which he
has acquired and so now Estella with whom he is in love, should also confess love for him.
Marrying Estella seems to be more desired expectation of Pip. In fact it is either due to the proud
attitude and haughty behavior of Estella or for the sake of Estella that Pip want to get educated ,
civilized gentleman of high social position in a society so that he could unable himself to marry
Estella. Pip is so much blinded by his expectation that he even ignores the arrogant and harsh
behavior of Estella with him as Pip says about Estella „it was impossible for me to separate her,
in the past or in the present, from the inner most life of my life”.
One of the expectations Pip has is that he was certain that Miss Havisham is his real patroness or
„benefactor‟ and „well wisher‟. he seems quite sure that she was planning to bring Estella and hi
m together in marriage but his expectation shattered because actually it was Miss Havisham cruel
plan to wreak vengeance on male folk for her on agony and suffering caused by one of them.
Unfortunately Pips drams are not fulfilled and are absolutely shattered when she „coolly‟ and
cruelly reveals her decision about her marriage with Drumble.
Another expectation of Pip was that after marrying Estella, he would be able to inherit Miss
Havisham‟s property i.e. Satis house, but this expectation of his also turns out ti be un attainable
, he comes to know that Estella is actually daughter of Magwitch. Thus once again his
expectations are shattered .
Concluding all the discussion it can be said that , the title of the novel „Great Expectations‟ by
Charles Dickens does contains a proper significance in fact it depicts the great expectations of
various characters inseparably connected in a remarkable way.
