Great Expectations III

Through the end of Book II of Dicken's Great Expectations, there are various realizations that occur among both Pip and Estella. Each of these realizations alter the given characters in different ways. Although we do not know how the realizations will change the characters yet, we can make predictions based on what we already know.

During Chapter 39, one dark, stormy evening, a stranger arrives at Pip's home. Pip identifies the stranger as the convict, whom had received Pip's help and hospitality earlier in the novel. The convict seems, abnormally glad, and joyous, and exclaims, "Yes, Pip, dear boy, I've made a gentleman on you! It's me wot has done it," (319). Astonished, Pip discovers that the convict, Magwitch is his secret benefactor. Not Miss Havisham, but the convict has been supplying Pip with money, opportunity and transformed him into a gentleman. He takes the news in such a melancholy demeanor, as he realizes what this means. First, Pip realizes that without Miss Havisham as his benefactor, he is not meant to become a gentleman in order to attain Estella's love.  "Miss Havisham's intentions towards me, all a mere dream; Estella not designed for me; I only suffered in the satis house a convenience...(323). Having Estella's love is what Pip truly desires, and he thought that if he became a gentleman, she would finally love him. It was to his belief that Miss Havisham was supporting Pip's attempt in becoming a gentleman, and was sponsoring his upperclass life in London. With this belief gone, and the realization that the benefactor is merely the convict Magwitch, Pip loses hope that he will marry Estella, his true desire. Pip finally realizes that Magwitch is still on the run with the law, and if caught he will be executed. Pip is very nervous about this, as he can't release his benefactor's true identity. Since Pip has realized that Estella is not "designed for her" and discovered that his benefactor is magwitch, along with the danger Magwitch brings to Pip, I predict Pip will distance himself from Magwitch for his personaly safety, by returning to Joe, where he will have a true friendship. I also imagine his love for Estella will continue, because despite her not seemingly being destined for Pip, he still loves her, and desires her.

Estella also, makes realizations in chapter 38. She immerses herself in a fight with Miss Havisham, which allows her to realize a lot about herself. "I am what you have made me,"(304), because of Miss Havisham she taught Estella to be cruel, insulting and to break the heart's of men. Estella realizes that she doesn't have her own individual personality, but was heavily influenced by Miss Havisham who had complete control over her. "All that you have given me, is at your command to have again, beyond that, I have nothing," (304). After Estella realizes how deeply Havisham impacts herself, she begins to retaliate, and fights back against her. With Estella spending more and more time away from the Satis House, and her weakened relationship with Miss Havisham, I can foresee that she will look to developing her own life somewhere far away, where she will truly be an individual, with no influence from anyone. She will pursue her own interests, career, home, and even develop a relationship with a man she truly loves, and with Pip single and deeply in love with her, they could potentially begin a relationship.