Great expectations is a Bildungsroman designed around a fantasy.
Protagonist has his life given to him because of things he expected. The fantasy is even more for Pip because he is an orphan. He acts more intelligently than characters his age might. Pip sees himself above the regular family. He is focused on fame and fortune. He is aware of being taken advantaged of, so he is concerned if he is worthy of what he is about to experience. Pip having a hard time with his identity and is trying on other characters personality to see if they fit.
Magwitch is the boogie man. Because he is a stranger. He eats like an animal. It implies selfishness, capacity for wickedness. When Pip meets Magwitch he represents what Pip might become. He could end up guilty, and unwanted, and not worthy to be born.
Miss habbasham is two faced. Her name could be shown an having shame. Her house is full of dust and gloomy. After she was left at the alter she left everything in her house the way it was. The dinner from that night is still on the table. She is a monster.
Pip plays a game with Estella called beg a your neighbor. Estella's purpose is to destroy men. To pip miss habbasham symbolizes his future. She is wealthy. She represents a family because she adopted Estella. Pip doesn't describe these characters honestly to others. He's insecure that these people are in his life. When pip goes to London habbasham and Estella go away. When he gets there we meet father characters. When pip sees joe and Jagger's he incisions himself. He questions if he should embody them in his life. Joe is a strong man but doesn't bully people. Jaggers can blackmail people but he doesn't. When pip sees Joe he doesn't see success because he isn't wealthy. Jagger's doesn't trust people, he trusts facts. Jagger's life is compartmentalized. Jaggers is wealthy. Jaggers takes advantage of people. Jaggers is only there because of business. He doesn't let Pip create a personal relationship.
Whemick is more like Joe at home and Jagger's at work. At work he is practical and focused on money and advantage all the time. He acknowledges being one person at work and one person at home. Magwitch is different over time. At first he looks like Pip but under worse circumstances.
The resolution comes from Pip realizes his expectations. Miss Habbasham is not his godmother. Estella is not his future loved one in his fantasy.
Without suffering you don't get to the good stuff. Pip wants the good stuff but he doesn't want to half to endure the hardships and consequences of life. Pip cuts people off when he wants the benefit and not the hardships. Pip reminds himself who he is so he doesn't forget him. Pip is an unrealized potential it's a seed.
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