Great Expectations Chapter 17-18

Chapter seventeen begins with Pip talking about the path his life has taken. It appears as if Pip life has taken on a monotonous routine. He mentions that the only break in his routine is his visit to go see Miss Havisham on his birthday and even that venture seems to have taken on a monotonous turn. "I found Miss Sarah Pocket still on duty at the gate, I found Miss Havisham just as I had left her, and she spoke of Estella in the very same way, if not in the very same words." page 125. From this quote it can be seen that Pip does not even enjoy his trips to Miss Havisham, even though in the previous chapter the very thought of going to see Miss Havisham had filled him with joy. Due to the unchanging consistency of Pip's routine, he continued to secretly loath his life and the profession of blacksmith.

It is at this point of his life that Pip begins to take notice of Biddy. He notes that "I observed to myself  one evening that she had curiously thoughtful and attentive eyes; eyes that were very pretty and very good." page 126.After accidentally making Biddy cry, Pip suggests that they take a walk together on the marshes so that they can have "a long chat." page 127. At this point of the novel it seems as if Pip might be growing as a person, this is due to the fact that he is putting someone needs before his own and trying to actively make things right between him and Biddy. During his walk with Biddy, Pip reveals his desire to rise above his current station and even mentions that the true reason for his desire it Estella. Biddy shows that she is the voice of reason in the novel by asking Pip, "Do you want to be a gentlemen to spite her or to gain her over?" page 129. It shows that Biddy is very insightful and forces Pip to truly look at himself and reflect upon the motives that are driving his life.

At the start of chapter eighteen Mr. Wopsle is reading from the paper about a murder that is popular at the moment. Upon completion of his reading, Mr. Wopsle is confronted by a strange man about his readiness to jump to conclusion about the guilt of the current suspect. Mr. Wopsle tries to defend himself, but it is to no avail, the strange man is very adamant about his views. Finally the man stops his attack on Mr. Wopsle and asks for the company of Joe and Pip. Pip recognizes that the man is the same one that he met on the stairs at Miss Havisham's house, so long ago. This reintroduction of a character that was predicted to have some sort of impact on a main characters life proves to have been an accurate prediction. This man's name is Jaggers and he offers Pip the chance to be brought up as a gentlemen. The fact that Pip's life is about to change in the exact way that he always wanted might prove to have disastrous effects later on in the novel.