Pip’s expectation is to become a gentleman so Estella can love him, (page 121-122) the same way that he loves her. Magwitch also wants Pip to become a gentleman (page 451); something that Pip can never be. But his reason for wanting Pip to become a gentleman is his way of getting revenge for him being found guilty whilst Compeyson was set free because he was a ‘gentleman’. Both expectations are unrealistic and therefore ‘romantic’. Pip did not receive the education or upbringing that a ‘gentleman’, like Bentley Drummle might have received. Yet ironically, Pip is gentler and kinder towards Estella than Bentley Drummle ever is (page 474-475). On the other hand if Pip had become a blacksmith like Joe, he could have ended up like Orlick; violent and aggressive. This would not have suited Pip’s character.
Pip cannot afford to turn out like Orlick because being a gentleman is very important. It is his only hope to get Estella to love him. He sees a gentleman as someone with money, power and status. However, Pip cannot realistically be a gentleman because he does not come from a suitable background.
As shown with Drummle, the ‘gentlemen’ in the book are cruel and treat their women badly. A real gentleman is not only a man of gentle or noble birth or superior social position, but a well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behaviour. Compeyson leaves Miss. Havisham at the altar and ruins her life (page 174), while Bentley Drummle marries Estella and abuses her. The women in the novel see these gentlemen as ‘romantic’ because they are meant to be brave and handsome. But Drummle and Compeyson are portrayed as selfish and egotistical. Pip is more romantic, even though he is not a gentleman.
Some of the places in the story have a big impact on the characters and the situations that they are involved with.
One of the first places that we are introduced to in the book is the marshes. The marshes are described black, (‘the marshes were just a long black horizontal line…’page 5). These descriptions are ‘romantic’ because they are unusual and imaginative. Another place is London. At first, Pip is exhilarated to go to London when Jaggers gives him the good news, (page 133). However, Pip going to prison is not a fanciful idea; therefore it is not ‘romantic’.
Satis house is one of the more ‘romantic’ places in the book. Its description implies that the building is ancient (‘old brick, and dismal’ page 52). Satis house is also very dark (‘it was covered with dust and mould, and dropping to pieces’ page 54) because of the clocks that stopped working when Miss Havisham was betrayed (‘the clocks all stopped together’ page 81).
Pip and Estella’s estranged relationship is carried out through the whole book. From the day they meet (page 52) till the last chapter, (page 474) Estella carries on living in denial about her feelings towards Pip. However Pip on the other hand tries to become a gentleman so Estella can love him. This is an excellent example of a fanciful idea. Estella was brought up to hurt and dislike men which Miss Havisham confesses to Pip (page 391). Miss. Havisham imposed this on Estella because she wanted to get revenge for what Compeyson had done to her. Even though Estella breaks Pip’s heart, she gets hurt herself. Miss Havisham’s plan fails because Estella realises that her upbringing was wrong (page 300).
Both Miss Havisham and Estella are hurt by men at some point in their lives. However, there is a slight difference between the two, Estella learned from her mistake and realised that her and Pip should remain friends (page 475). However, Miss Havisham ruined her future because she could not get over Compeyson’s betrayal. Both Estella and Miss Havisham thought that they would live happily ever after; however their wishes were fanciful and imaginative because neither of their ‘gentlemen’ loved them.
Pip and Estella cannot get married because after Estella’s divorce, it would be looked upon as sinful in the Victorian society. What Estella really needs to do is realise that it is not wrong to show your emotions. She married Drummle so she could hurt Pip, but she soon learnt her lesson. On the other hand, even her expectations from her husband do not suit Pip at all. Pip was not born from a background descending the aristocracy; but neither was Estella. She is ‘romantic’ because she expects her husband to be something that even she is not. Estella’s father is a convict (Magwitch) and her mother is a maid (Molly).
Biddy’s love for Pip came across clearly throughout the story. Pip never loves someone the way he loves Estella, nonetheless, he still proposes to Biddy (page 455). He does this out of desperation as he tries to move on after Estella gets married.
As with Pip and Estella’s relationship, love is a recurring theme in Great Expectations. There are three other romantic relationships in the story. The first one is Herbert and Clara. Their love is the strongest because they are still happy even though they have to put up with Clara’s drunken father (page 367). On the other hand there is Magwitch and Molly’s relationship. They have a daughter, Estella, who has to be sent away to be looked after by Miss Havisham. Molly then becomes Jaggers’ housekeeper. Another weird relationship is Joe and Biddy. This marriage is ‘romantic’ because it is very imaginative. Even Pip was shocked when he found out that the two were going to marry.
There actually is not a clear end to the novel. We do not get to find out what happens to Pip and Estella. All we know is that they put there differences aside and stay friends. They could of ‘lived together’; however they would not have been welcomed by society. The Victorian era did not accept relationships outside marriage especially if the woman was divorced.
To conclude, even though the story is not about love, it is still romantic. It includes love (Pip and Estella, Herbert and Clara), adventure (Magwitch and Pip), and fanciful ideas (Pip becoming a gentleman). So the answer to the question, ‘Is Great Expectations a ‘Romantic’ Novel?’ is yes.
