When Pip learns from Jaggers, the lawyer, of the great expectations held for him he comes into conflict with his adoptive father, Joe Gargery. Joe is a blacksmith, and a simple man. He rejects all snobbery while Pip desires it. He wants Pip to become his apprentice. He doesn’t see why Pip would want anything other than what is set for him. On the other hand, Pip is fascinated by the luxury of Miss Havisham’s world, and is finally attracted to it because of Estella. Thus, Joe’s expectations for Pip contrast with Pip’s desires.
Pip’s expectations, that his money come from a noble source, are incompatible with those of Magwitch. Magwitch is a convict. As Magwitch, he is persecuted, as Provis, he makes a fortune. In making Pip a gentleman he hopes to experience through him a life he hasn’t lived. Magwitch’s expectations are for Pip to grow up as a gentleman: that is Pip’s hope too. Pip believes it is Miss Havisham whom is his benefactor. Pip wants to believe this because he hopes to someday marry Estella too. He is shocked when he finds out it was Magwitch instead. Once again, Dickens shows us how stupid it is to try to shape the actions of others since each person will always have his own thoughts and reasons.
Pip’s desire to marry Estella comes into contrast with Miss Havisham’s desire to take revenge on men. Pip quickly falls in love with Estella and believes Miss Havisham has destined her to him. Miss Havisham was abandoned on her wedding day and hates all men. She raised Estella to be the weapon to achieve her revenge. Miss Havisham takes advantage of Pip’s ignorance of the source of his expectations; and uses him as an object. Dickens once again shows we aren’t living in a fairy tale where all our wishes come true, life is different.
The world of Great Expectations, just like in our world, is one where the great expectations of the many characters come into conflict with one another. Dickens gives the reader many examples of how it is useless to hold hopes since we are all different, and thus think and reason in different ways. We are many, and have many different interests, which hardly ever match with those of others.
