Great Expectations Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 1 Summary

Pip tells how his family name, Pirrip, and his Christian name, Philip, have been shortened to Pip. Because his parents are dead, he is raised by his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery, who married the village blacksmith. They live near the marshes. One afternoon, Pip is visiting the Church graveyard, when a man in convict's clothes and an iron on his leg, makes him swear that he will not point him out. He asks Pip to get him a file and some food or the young man that is with him will certainly kill him and perhaps remove and eat his heart and liver. The convict is freezing, and Pip feels compassion for him. Pip, seeing another man limping in the marshes, runs for home.

Chapter 1 Analysis

In this classic scene, Pip swears to help a convict, who has undoubtedly escaped from one of the prison-ships that move along the river near the...
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