Pip is the protagonist as well as the narrator of his story. He tells us the events of his life since he was a 7-year-old kid to the Pip in his mid-thirties. One by one he enumerates the events of his life that mould Pip and make him realize his self.
He lives with his sister married to the blacksmith Joe because his parents have passed away. While he?s at the graveyard thinking of his parents an escaped convict confronts him and puts demands on him. Though horrified Pip treats him with compassion. Joe?s uncle brings to Pip, from Miss Havisham, an invitation for Pip to play at her house and get paid in return. Miss Havisham has an adopted daughter Estella whom she raises to break men’s hearts and trains her to be cold.
A man had betrayed her and this is her revenge against men. Pip falls in love with Estella though he hates her vain attitude. Pip dreams of turning into a gentleman and impressing Estella so much that she agree to marry him. And soon Mr. Jaggers bring Pip good news that an anonymous person has willed him a fortune. The money given to Pip by the benefactor would be utilized to train him in London in making him a gentleman. Pip feels that his dreams are coming true and he thinks his benefactor is Miss Havisham but he later finds out that his benefactor is someone else. Who could that be?
While in London Pip makes friends, learns the art of rich living, becomes a gentleman yet he?s not happy. His second and the most treasured dream of getting married to Estella is still unfulfilled. Will he be able to accomplish it?
Great Expectations is full of emotions, love and friendship. Through the character Pip, Dickens seeks to tell us how the struggles in one?s life inspire one to combat them. Along with that he also tells us that however much we try life?s mystery unravels itself and that one really cannot control the destiny. He tells us the importance of love, family and friendship. It is also a critique of the society?s wealthy, of Miss Havisham, of Estella, of Bentley Drummle who serve as antagonist figures against whom Pip must battle.
To sum it up Dickens constructs a moral theme through the story that love, honesty, attachment, principles and inner-voice are more important than riches, status and progress.