Pip Character Analysis in Great Expectations

In the second ending, Pip gets an extreme benefit which completely alters what has already occurred, and hurts the true meaning of Dickens’ Great Expectations. Due to many differences within the personalities of the characters and morals of the story, the second ending does not go along as well with the plot. Time and time again, Estella shows her high standard for Pip but this is overshadowed by her unwillingness to ever fall in love with Pip, and the two can be seen as “distant friends.” Pip pleads for Estella not to marry Drummle, which shows the real relationship of Pip and Estella. “Estella, dearest Estella, do not let Miss Havisham lead you into this fatal step. Put me aside for ever-you have done so, I well know - but bestow yourself on some worthier person than Drummle. Miss Havisham gives you to him, as the greatest slight and injury that could be done to the many far better men who admire you, and to the few who truly love you.” (Dickens 44.5) Pip is seen on the outside looking in, trying to get in a romantic relationship with Estella but will never be able to due to their real tight bond as friends and Pip being a beggar for her heart, which shows he is the weaker person and Estella having all of the leverage in their relationship. Pip’s beggingness to Estella sets a tone as Pip being whiny and still immature because he has to realize that love isn’t forced and if one person is not connected then the romance will just not happen. To add on, the mood of the novel could be seen in some parts of this quote, especially when Pip and Estella are together because Pip’s expectations were that Estella will fall in love with him effortlessly but that simply did not happen causing Pip to be disappointed and begging for her love. The other “happier” ending does not add to this plot of Pip looking from the outside of Estella’s romance because Pip simply marries Estella with ease, completely changing the tone and mood of the novel. Pip and Estella meet again and marry in the second ending. “I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her.” (Dickens, 2nd ending) As previously stated, a large mood change occurs as the happy ending sucks away all of the depressing moods that have previously occurred. Estella’s outlook on Pip completely changes, causing her entire character to change, leading to possibly confusion of the reader. In general, the thesis is both positive and negative in this situation as Pip and Estella stay as friends which could benefit both of them since friendship is very important in life and the pair are not forced to marry each other. On the other hand,  Pip may have to live alone and depressed for his entire life due to the devotion he has to Estella, but this may change as Pip matures and learns more about love and possibly finds a new lover.