Summary
Meeting Herbert Pocket
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Settling into London life means adapting to new routines and new standards, though Pip finds himself constantly measuring his progress and finding it wanting. Mr. Pocket's household in Hammersmith becomes his base for education—a chaotic place where Matthew Pocket tries to educate young gentlemen while his wife dreams of social connections far above their station. Mrs. Pocket, raised to expect a position she never achieved, wanders through life with a book of aristocratic titles, barely noticing her own children's welfare. The household's dysfunction provides comic relief but also shows Pip another version of social climbing's destructive power. His fellow students include Bentley Drummle, a brutish, sullen aristocrat whose genuine high birth doesn't prevent him from being thoroughly unpleasant, and Startop, a gentler soul. The contrast between Drummle's natural status and his character deficiencies should teach Pip something about the disconnect between social position and human worth, though the lesson doesn't fully penetrate his consciousness. Life establishes a rhythm: studying in Hammersmith, lodging with Herbert in London, spending money from his mysterious benefactor faster than seems prudent, and waiting for some revelation or summons that will explain his purpose. The waiting itself becomes a kind of limbo, as Pip exists in a state of preparation for a future that remains frustratingly undefined despite his transformed circumstances.
Coming Up in Chapter 23
Pip meets Herbert's father, Mr. Pocket, whose household appears to be in cheerful chaos. As Pip begins his education as a gentleman, he'll discover that even the most respectable families have their own peculiar ways of managing life.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
The pale young gentleman and I stood contemplating one another in Barnard’s Inn, until we both burst out laughing. “The idea of its being you!” said he. “The idea of its being _you_!” said I. And then we contemplated one another afresh, and laughed again. “Well!” said the pale young gentleman, reaching out his hand good-humouredly, “it’s all over now, I hope, and it will be magnanimous in you if you’ll forgive me for having knocked you about so.” I derived from this speech that Mr. Herbert Pocket (for Herbert was the pale young gentleman’s name) still rather confounded his intention with his execution. But I made a modest reply, and we shook hands warmly. “You hadn’t come into your good fortune at that time?” said Herbert Pocket. “No,” said I. “No,” he acquiesced: “I heard it had happened very lately. _I_ was rather on the lookout for good fortune then.” “Indeed?” “Yes. Miss Havisham had sent for me, to see if she could take a fancy to me. But she couldn’t,—at all events, she didn’t.” I thought it polite to remark that I was surprised to hear that. “Bad taste,” said Herbert, laughing, “but a fact. Yes, she had sent for me on a trial visit, and if I had come out of it successfully, I suppose I should have been provided for; perhaps I should have been what-you-may-called it to Estella.” “What’s that?” I asked, with sudden gravity. He was arranging his fruit in plates while we talked, which divided his attention, and was the cause of his having made this lapse of a word. “Affianced,” he explained, still busy with the fruit. “Betrothed. Engaged. What’s-his-named. Any word of that sort.” “How did you bear your disappointment?” I asked. “Pooh!” said he, “I didn’t care much for it. _She’s_ a Tartar.” “Miss Havisham?” “I don’t say no to that, but I meant Estella. That girl’s hard and haughty and capricious to the last degree, and has been brought up by Miss Havisham to wreak revenge on all the male sex.” “What relation is she to Miss Havisham?” “None,” said he. “Only adopted.” “Why should she wreak revenge on all the male sex? What revenge?” “Lord, Mr. Pip!” said he. “Don’t you know?” “No,” said I. “Dear me! It’s quite a story, and shall be saved till dinner-time. And now let me take the liberty of asking you a question. How did you come there, that day?” I told him, and he was attentive until I had finished, and then burst out laughing again, and asked me if I was sore afterwards? I didn’t ask him if _he_ was, for my conviction on that point was perfectly established. “Mr. Jaggers is your guardian, I understand?” he went on. “Yes.” “You know he is Miss Havisham’s man of business and solicitor, and has her confidence when nobody else has?” This was bringing me (I felt) towards dangerous ground. I answered with a constraint I made no attempt to disguise, that...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Unexpected Allies
Former opponents often become the strongest supporters when approached with openness rather than defensiveness.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot potential allies disguised as past opponents or competitors.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you write someone off after one negative interaction—instead, approach them with curiosity about their perspective.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Barnard's Inn
A type of boarding house for young professional men in Victorian London, offering cheap lodging and shared living spaces. These inns were stepping stones for men trying to make their way in the city.
Modern Usage:
Like shared apartments or co-living spaces where young professionals room together to split costs while starting their careers.
Trial visit
A formal audition or test period where wealthy families would evaluate potential suitors for their daughters. The young man would be observed for manners, conversation, and overall suitability.
Modern Usage:
Similar to how some families still 'interview' potential partners, or how people are put through social tests before being accepted into certain circles.
Provided for
Victorian term meaning financially supported or given an inheritance, often through marriage or family connections. Being 'provided for' meant security for life.
Modern Usage:
Like getting a trust fund, being added to a will, or marrying into money - having your financial future secured.
Table manners coaching
The practice of teaching proper dining etiquette, which was crucial for social advancement in Victorian society. Knowing which fork to use could make or break your reputation.
Modern Usage:
Still happens today when people learn business dinner etiquette or when parents teach kids how to behave at restaurants.
Social climbing
Deliberately trying to move up in social class through connections, behavior, or marriage. Victorian society was rigid about class, making this both necessary and looked down upon.
Modern Usage:
Still common - networking for better jobs, name-dropping, or trying to fit in with wealthier crowds to advance your position.
Frozen in time
Miss Havisham's psychological state after being abandoned - she literally stopped all clocks and never changed from her wedding dress, unable to move past her trauma.
Modern Usage:
We see this in people who can't get over major betrayals or losses, staying stuck in the past instead of healing and moving forward.
Characters in This Chapter
Herbert Pocket
Friend and mentor
Pip's new roommate who turns out to be the boy he fought years ago. Herbert shows genuine kindness, teaching Pip manners without making him feel ashamed, and becomes his first real friend in London.
Modern Equivalent:
The college roommate who becomes your best friend and helps you navigate a new world
Pip
Protagonist
Adjusting to London life and discovering he needs to learn proper manners for his new social position. He's grateful for Herbert's help but also aware of the class differences he must navigate.
Modern Equivalent:
The scholarship kid at a fancy school trying to fit in
Miss Havisham
Tragic figure (discussed)
Her backstory is revealed through Herbert - she was betrayed on her wedding day by a conspiracy between her fiancé and half-brother, leading to her current broken state and desire for revenge.
Modern Equivalent:
The bitter person who was deeply betrayed and now lives to get back at the world
Estella
Object of desire (discussed)
Herbert reveals she was raised specifically to break men's hearts as Miss Havisham's revenge against the male gender, explaining her cold behavior toward Pip.
Modern Equivalent:
The person whose parent raised them to be manipulative and emotionally unavailable
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The idea of its being you!"
Context: Both men recognize each other as former opponents and burst out laughing
Shows how coincidence brings people together and how perspective changes over time. What seemed serious as children now seems absurd as adults.
In Today's Words:
Oh my God, it's you!
"It will be magnanimous in you if you'll forgive me for having knocked you about so."
Context: Herbert apologizing for their childhood fight, though Pip actually won
Herbert's gracious nature and slight self-delusion about his fighting skills. He leads with kindness and takes responsibility even when he wasn't the victor.
In Today's Words:
I hope you can forgive me for beating you up back then.
"Bad taste, but a fact."
Context: Explaining why Miss Havisham rejected him as a potential match for Estella
Herbert's humor and self-deprecation show his healthy ego and ability to laugh at rejection. He doesn't take it personally or become bitter.
In Today's Words:
She had terrible taste, but hey, that's what happened.
Thematic Threads
Friendship
In This Chapter
Herbert offers genuine friendship without agenda, teaching Pip social skills while sharing personal stories
Development
Introduced here - contrasts with Joe's simple loyalty and Estella's calculated coldness
In Your Life:
You might find this in discovering that the coworker who seems difficult actually becomes your most reliable teammate
Class Navigation
In This Chapter
Herbert gently corrects Pip's table manners without making him feel ashamed of his background
Development
Builds on Pip's earlier shame about Joe's manners, showing a kinder way to learn social codes
In Your Life:
You see this when someone helps you learn workplace culture or social expectations without making you feel stupid
Hidden Stories
In This Chapter
Herbert reveals Miss Havisham's tragic wedding day betrayal, explaining her frozen-in-time existence
Development
Expands our understanding of Miss Havisham beyond the mysterious, bitter woman
In Your Life:
You encounter this when learning the real story behind someone's difficult behavior or strange habits
Mentorship
In This Chapter
Herbert naturally becomes Pip's guide to London society, teaching through example rather than criticism
Development
Contrasts with earlier harsh lessons from Estella and Miss Havisham's manipulative guidance
In Your Life:
You experience this when someone takes you under their wing at a new job or helps you navigate unfamiliar social situations
Forgiveness
In This Chapter
Both boys laugh off their childhood fight and move forward without resentment
Development
Introduced here as a healthy alternative to holding grudges
In Your Life:
You might apply this when deciding whether to stay angry at someone or give them a fresh start
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Herbert's reaction to seeing Pip again differ from what Pip expected, and what does this reveal about holding grudges?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Herbert immediately start teaching Pip table manners instead of making him feel embarrassed about not knowing them?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about a time when someone you initially clashed with became important in your life. What changed to make that relationship possible?
application • medium - 4
When you're the new person in a workplace or community, how can you tell the difference between someone genuinely trying to help you and someone trying to make you feel small?
application • deep - 5
What does Herbert's approach to friendship teach us about building trust with people who have different backgrounds or experiences?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Unexpected Allies
Think of three people in your life who you initially didn't get along with or dismissed. For each person, write down what the original conflict was about and what you've learned about them since. Then identify one person currently in your life who you might be writing off too quickly.
Consider:
- •Consider whether the original conflict was about different values or just different communication styles
- •Look for patterns in what types of people you initially clash with versus who becomes important later
- •Think about what you might be missing about the person you're currently dismissing
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone surprised you by turning from an opponent into an ally. What did you learn about making assumptions, and how has this changed how you approach new conflicts?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 23: The Pocket Household Chaos
What lies ahead teaches us mismatched expectations destroy relationships and families, and shows us competence matters more than social status in daily life. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.