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Fiction

Notes 16.1 Great Expectations: Characterization

Pip

Pip is the narrator as well as the protagonist of the story. Pip is an orphan being raised by his
sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband, Mr. Joe Gargery, a blacksmith.

Mrs. Joe Gargery
Mrs. Joe Gargery is a bitter, angry woman who brings up Pip “by hand.” That is, she whips
him whenever she can and complains about what a burden he is while she does it.

Mr. Joe Gargery

Mr. Joe Gargery is a kind, if browbeaten, blacksmith. Though he is theoretically Pip’s adoptive
father, Pip sees him as an equal and a friend. Joe is uneducated and perhaps a little slow but
he understands the important things in life.

Mr. Wopsle

Mr. Wopsle is the village church clerk whose dream it is to get on the pulpit and preach as
he considers himself an excellent speaker. As it is, he becomes an actor.

Mr. and Mrs. Hubble

Mr. and Mrs. Hubble is a simple, silly folks from Pip’s village. Mr. Hubble is a wheelwright.

Uncle Pumblechook

Joe’s uncle, a well-to-do corn-chandler in the village. He considers himself upper-class and is
actually a bombastic fool.

Mr. Wopsle’s great aunt
Mr. Wopsle’s great aunt runs the so-called school in town out of a cottage. She is a “ridiculous
old lady.”

Biddy
Biddy is a kind, intelligent girl Pip’s age who works for Mr. Wopsle’s great aunt at the school.
Later, she comes to work for Joe taking care of Mrs. Joe Gargery.

Miss Havisham

Miss Havisham is a strange, wrinkled up lady who never sees the sunlight and never gets out
of her bridal gown. She’s actually a very cold hearted, yet wealthy, lady who lives just outside
the village in a the Satis House.

Estella

Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter. Cold and very proud but very beautiful. She’s about Pip’s
age and is the love of Pip’s life.

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