Summary
The Price of Rising Above
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The final days before departing for London reveal the complex emotions surrounding upward mobility and leaving one's origins behind. At Miss Havisham's request, Pip visits Satis House in his new gentleman's clothes, a visit that feels like both validation and farewell. She seems pleased by her handiwork—or what he assumes is her handiwork—though characteristically, she confirms nothing directly. Estella is still away, denying Pip the satisfaction of having her see his transformation. Back at the forge, the atmosphere is strained. Joe is genuinely happy for Pip's good fortune yet clearly sad to lose his companion. Biddy maintains her composure, though Pip senses her skepticism about whether London will truly improve him. His last night in the village, Pip lies awake in the little room he's occupied all his life, feeling both eagerness for escape and grief for what he's losing. When morning comes and he walks away from Joe and Biddy, he breaks down crying once he's out of sight. The tears reveal what he can't quite admit: his shame about leaving Joe, his awareness that he's choosing social elevation over loyalty, and his fear that becoming a gentleman might require abandoning the best parts of himself. His great expectations come with a price that's already being extracted.
Coming Up in Chapter 20
Pip arrives in London, expecting grandeur befitting his great expectations. Instead, he discovers the harsh realities of city life and meets his mysterious benefactor's representative, beginning to understand that his new world may not be the paradise he imagined.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Morning made a considerable difference in my general prospect of Life, and brightened it so much that it scarcely seemed the same. What lay heaviest on my mind was, the consideration that six days intervened between me and the day of departure; for I could not divest myself of a misgiving that something might happen to London in the meanwhile, and that, when I got there, it would be either greatly deteriorated or clean gone. Joe and Biddy were very sympathetic and pleasant when I spoke of our approaching separation; but they only referred to it when I did. After breakfast, Joe brought out my indentures from the press in the best parlour, and we put them in the fire, and I felt that I was free. With all the novelty of my emancipation on me, I went to church with Joe, and thought perhaps the clergyman wouldn’t have read that about the rich man and the kingdom of Heaven, if he had known all. After our early dinner, I strolled out alone, purposing to finish off the marshes at once, and get them done with. As I passed the church, I felt (as I had felt during service in the morning) a sublime compassion for the poor creatures who were destined to go there, Sunday after Sunday, all their lives through, and to lie obscurely at last among the low green mounds. I promised myself that I would do something for them one of these days, and formed a plan in outline for bestowing a dinner of roast-beef and plum-pudding, a pint of ale, and a gallon of condescension, upon everybody in the village. If I had often thought before, with something allied to shame, of my companionship with the fugitive whom I had once seen limping among those graves, what were my thoughts on this Sunday, when the place recalled the wretch, ragged and shivering, with his felon iron and badge! My comfort was, that it happened a long time ago, and that he had doubtless been transported a long way off, and that he was dead to me, and might be veritably dead into the bargain. No more low, wet grounds, no more dikes and sluices, no more of these grazing cattle,—though they seemed, in their dull manner, to wear a more respectful air now, and to face round, in order that they might stare as long as possible at the possessor of such great expectations,—farewell, monotonous acquaintances of my childhood, henceforth I was for London and greatness; not for smith’s work in general, and for you! I made my exultant way to the old Battery, and, lying down there to consider the question whether Miss Havisham intended me for Estella, fell asleep. When I awoke, I was much surprised to find Joe sitting beside me, smoking his pipe. He greeted me with a cheerful smile on my opening my eyes, and said,— “As being the last time, Pip, I thought I’d foller.” “And Joe, I am...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Rising Above - How Success Can Make You Fall
The tendency to devalue our origins and past relationships when we gain status, believing we must distance ourselves from where we came from to justify where we're going.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how sudden elevation creates a distortion field that makes us unable to see our own arrogance.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you catch yourself explaining things others didn't ask about, or feeling embarrassed by people you used to be comfortable with.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Indentures
Legal contracts binding apprentices to their masters for a set period, usually seven years. Burning them symbolized Pip's freedom from his working-class trade. These documents literally owned a person's labor and future.
Modern Usage:
Like non-compete clauses or long-term employment contracts that tie people to jobs they want to leave.
Social climbing
The deliberate attempt to rise in social class and status, often by adopting the manners and attitudes of higher classes. Pip believes becoming a 'gentleman' will make him worthy of Estella's love.
Modern Usage:
Moving to the 'right' neighborhood, buying designer labels, or networking to get into exclusive circles.
Condescension
Treating others as inferior while pretending to be helpful or kind. Pip's offer to 'improve' Joe shows how his new status has made him look down on his own family.
Modern Usage:
When someone with money or education talks down to service workers or family members who 'haven't made it.'
Sycophancy
Excessive flattery and servile behavior toward someone with power or money. Mr. Pumblechook suddenly claims credit for Pip's success after years of treating him poorly.
Modern Usage:
How people suddenly become your best friend when you get promoted, win the lottery, or become successful.
Class consciousness
Awareness of social class differences and one's place in the hierarchy. Pip becomes painfully aware of his humble origins and feels ashamed of Joe and Biddy.
Modern Usage:
Feeling embarrassed about where you grew up, your family's jobs, or your background when around 'successful' people.
Moral corruption
The way wealth and status can erode a person's values and humanity. Pip's money is making him cruel to the people who love him most.
Modern Usage:
How sudden success or wealth can change people, making them forget their roots and treat old friends poorly.
Characters in This Chapter
Pip
Protagonist
Shows his growing arrogance as he prepares to leave for London. He burns his apprentice papers, condescends to offer 'help' to Joe, and dismisses Biddy's valid concerns as jealousy.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who gets a big promotion and suddenly thinks they're better than everyone
Biddy
Voice of conscience
Challenges Pip's condescending attitude when he suggests she should 'improve' Joe. She sees through his pride and calls out his arrogance, though he refuses to listen.
Modern Equivalent:
The honest friend who tells you when success is going to your head
Joe
Humble father figure
Remains kind and supportive despite Pip's growing condescension. His simple goodness contrasts sharply with Pip's newfound arrogance and social pretensions.
Modern Equivalent:
The parent who stays loving and proud even when their successful kid starts acting ashamed of them
Mr. Pumblechook
Social opportunist
Shamelessly rewrites history to claim credit for Pip's good fortune, calling himself Pip's 'earliest benefactor' despite years of treating him poorly.
Modern Equivalent:
The relative who suddenly remembers they 'always believed in you' once you become successful
Mr. Trabb
Servile tradesman
The tailor who transforms from dismissive to obsequious once he learns of Pip's fortune, showing how money instantly changes social dynamics.
Modern Equivalent:
The salesperson who ignores you until they find out you have money, then can't do enough for you
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I felt that I was free."
Context: After burning his apprentice papers with Joe
This moment of 'freedom' is deeply ironic. While Pip thinks he's freeing himself from his humble past, he's actually becoming enslaved to social expectations and his own pride.
In Today's Words:
I thought I was finally breaking free from my old life.
"If you could give him a little more polish, it would be a kindness."
Context: Condescendingly suggesting Biddy should 'improve' Joe
This reveals how completely Pip's values have shifted. He now sees Joe's honest simplicity as something shameful that needs fixing, showing his growing moral blindness.
In Today's Words:
Maybe you could help him seem more sophisticated and classy.
"Whether you scold me or approve of me, you cannot help yourself."
Context: Responding to Pip's accusation that she's jealous
Biddy's wisdom cuts through Pip's self-deception. She understands that his success has made him unable to hear criticism or see his own faults clearly.
In Today's Words:
No matter what I say, you're going to think what you want to think.
"My dear Handel, I fear I shall soon have to leave you."
Context: Pip's formal, affected way of speaking to Joe
Even his language has become artificial and distant. He can't speak naturally to the man who raised him, showing how his pursuit of gentility is making him less genuine.
In Today's Words:
Joe, I'm afraid I'll have to be going soon.
Thematic Threads
Social Mobility
In This Chapter
Pip literally burns his working-class identity and immediately begins critiquing those he's leaving behind
Development
Evolution from earlier gratitude to active rejection of his origins
In Your Life:
Notice when getting ahead makes you judge where you came from instead of appreciating the journey.
Pride
In This Chapter
Pip dismisses Biddy's wisdom as jealousy, unable to see his own condescension
Development
Pride has grown from simple embarrassment to active blindness to his own behavior
In Your Life:
When someone challenges your new attitude, resist the urge to dismiss them as jealous or bitter.
Isolation
In This Chapter
Pip walks alone to avoid being seen with Joe and Biddy, choosing image over connection
Development
Introduced here as the cost of his social climbing
In Your Life:
Success that requires hiding your relationships isn't success—it's trading love for status.
Manipulation
In This Chapter
Pumblechook rewrites history to claim credit for Pip's fortune while the tailor becomes obsequious
Development
Shows how Pip's wealth reveals others' true characters
In Your Life:
Your good fortune will expose who genuinely cared about you versus who sees opportunity.
Self-Deception
In This Chapter
Pip believes he's helping by suggesting Joe needs improvement, blind to his own arrogance
Development
His capacity for self-deception has grown more sophisticated
In Your Life:
The most dangerous judgments are the ones we convince ourselves are for other people's good.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Pip do with his apprentice papers, and how does he treat Joe and Biddy differently now that he has expectations?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Pip believe he's helping when he suggests Biddy should 'improve' Joe, and what does Biddy's response reveal about his blind spots?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen people change how they treat others after getting a promotion, winning money, or gaining status? What patterns do you notice?
application • medium - 4
If you found yourself in Pip's position - suddenly elevated above your background - how would you maintain relationships without condescending or cutting ties?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter teach us about the real cost of 'moving up' in the world, and why do people often become what they once disliked?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
The Status Shift Audit
Think of a time when you gained something - a new job, skill, knowledge, or even a small win. Write down how you treated people before and after. Did you catch yourself thinking others needed to 'catch up' to you? Did you avoid certain people or places? Now flip it: recall when someone else's rise made you feel left behind.
Consider:
- •Notice the subtle ways success changes our language and assumptions
- •Pay attention to who you started avoiding and why
- •Consider how others' reactions to your success affected your relationships
Journaling Prompt
Write about a relationship that changed when either you or the other person 'moved up.' What would you do differently now to preserve the connection while still growing?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 20: First Glimpse of London's Dark Heart
In the next chapter, you'll discover first impressions can reveal uncomfortable truths about power structures, and learn observing how people treat others shows their true character. These insights reveal timeless patterns that resonate in our own lives and relationships.