In the opening of the novel we meet the main character, Pip. We then meet the convict, Abel Magwitch. He has expectations of Pip. Firstly he wants Pip to bring him food, drink and a file, ‘now look here. You bring me a file. You do know what that is? And bring me some food. If you don’t, or if you tell anyone about me, I’ll cut your heart out.’ As Pip is frightened he does what he is told. Pip did what Abel wanted as he, ‘ was dressed in all grey, with an iron chain on his leg. His clothes were wet and torn,’ this influenced Pip as he thought that This stranger would hurt or kill him so he does what is told, and Pip knew that something was wrong, because he knew what sort of people wears them clothes. Pip does this expectation as the next he brings what was wanted. Later in the novel Abel returns, as he is Pip’s sponsor so that Pip can become a gentleman. He expects Pip to become a gentleman and someone that he never became, ‘I’ve made you a gentleman of you! You see, I promised myself that all the money I earned out there in Australia should go to you! I’m not a gentleman myself, and I didn’t go to school, but I’ve got you, Pip! And look what gentleman you are!’ as Abel never became a gentleman or went to school he expects Pip to become and do these things. Pip tried to live to these expectations as best as he could.
Next there is Mrs. Joe Gargery. She has very high expectations of Pip. As she has raised him up by hand she is very hard on Pip as he tries to do his best to keep her happy. She puts pressure on him and makes him feel guilty because she says, ‘If I hadn’t brought you up, you’d be in the churchyard with our parents. You’ll send me to the churchyard one day! Now let me get your supper ready, both of you.’ She expects that when Pip goes to see Miss Havisham, that he makes a good impression of him self as she can not bothered with him anymore, ‘And thinking of us as he always does, suggested this boy.’ She also says “Look at the dirt on this boy,’ I think that this suggests that she wants him to make a good impression so that he will not have to stay with her anymore. Pip sometimes lived up to these expectations.
Another person who has expectations is Miss Havisham. She is a rich lady that Pip has to go to, as Mr. Pumblechook mentions Pip to Miss Havisham and she would like to meet the boy and to see if he is worthy. The first expectation that she has of him is that he must entertain her ‘daughter’ Estella, as she says to Estella, ‘Very pretty, my dear. It will be yours one day. Now let me see you play cards with this boy,’ I think she is trying to say if you play with my Estella then you are worthy for my Estella. Miss Havisham later expects Pip to become a gentleman for Estella to marry him. Later in the story he thinks it’s Miss Havisham that sponsored him. She expects Estella to like him so that he will marry her as Miss Havisham makes out when she first meets Pip, ‘ What do you think of her?’, ‘And never see her again, although she’s so pretty?’ I think Miss Havisham expects a little to much of both Pip and Estella as it is not up to her if they marry or not. He lives up to playing with Estella and he does live up to marrying her and becoming more than friends.
In the novel Estella also has expectations of Pip as when they first meet she wants to play but is discussed of the way he looks and what he is wearing, ‘With this boy! But he’s a common working boy!’ and she also says, ‘What coarse hands this boy has! And what thick boots!’ I think she is trying to make out that she is worth more and deserves more than a ‘common working boy’. She tries to make him feel unwanted but at the same time she expects him to try hard at making her like him, ‘ You’ve always loved Estella. It’s lucky that you seem to have been chosen to marry her. Does she, er, admire you?’ Herbert says this to Pip. But deep down Pip knows that she never may love him.
In conclusion Pip does have many expectations and he knows this, ‘I have great expectations, I know.’ In the end Pip does his best to live to these expectations and to make everyone happy.