The story begins in the early 19th century in the marshes of Kent, where young Pip, an orphan, encounters an escaped convict, Magwitch, who demands food and a file to remove his shackles. Frightened, Pip complies, but the convict is soon captured and taken away, though he does not betray Pip’s help. Pip lives with his harsh sister, Mrs. Joe, and her kind husband, Joe Gargery, a blacksmith.

Pip’s life takes a turn when he is invited to Satis House, the home of the wealthy and eccentric Miss Havisham. There, he meets her beautiful but cold-hearted ward, Estella, with whom he falls in love. Miss Havisham, jilted on her wedding day, has raised Estella to break men’s hearts as revenge against her own betrayal. Pip becomes ashamed of his working-class background and dreams of becoming a gentleman to win Estella’s love.

One day, Pip learns that he has been given a large fortune by an anonymous benefactor and must move to London to become a gentleman. Assuming Miss Havisham is behind his sudden wealth and that she intends for him to marry Estella, Pip eagerly embraces his new life. In London, he befriends Herbert Pocket and struggles to navigate high society under the guidance of the lawyer, Mr. Jaggers.

As Pip enjoys his wealth, he distances himself from Joe and his old life, growing increasingly snobbish. However, his expectations are shattered when he discovers that his benefactor is not Miss Havisham, but Magwitch, the convict he helped as a child. Magwitch, having made a fortune in Australia, wished to repay Pip’s kindness by making him a gentleman. Shocked and ashamed, Pip initially rejects Magwitch but eventually comes to appreciate his loyalty and sacrifices.

Meanwhile, Estella marries the cruel Bentley Drummle, and Miss Havisham realizes too late that she has ruined both Estella’s capacity for love and Pip’s happiness. Stricken with guilt, she begs Pip for forgiveness before perishing in a fire at Satis House. Determined to help Magwitch, Pip attempts to help him escape England, but the plan fails. Magwitch is captured, sentenced to death, and dies in prison, comforted by Pip, who finally sees him as a father figure.

Pip loses his wealth and returns to a simpler life, reconciling with Joe and his childhood friend Biddy, who marries Joe. Years later, Pip meets Estella again, now softened by suffering. In some versions of the novel, they part as friends; in others, they walk away together, hinting at a rekindled relationship.

Great Expectations remains a powerful novel about self-discovery, redemption, and the true meaning of success. Dickens’s rich characters and social critique continue to resonate with readers, cementing its place as one of the greatest works of English literature.