Editing Great Expectations (section)

=== Pip as social outcast ===
[[File:"And may I--May I--?".jpeg|thumb|upright=0.8|left|Mr Pumblechook: "And may I—''May'' I—?", by John McLenan]]
A central theme here is of people living as social outcasts. The novel's opening setting emphasises this: the orphaned Pip lives in an isolated foggy environment next to a graveyard, dangerous swamps, and [[prison ship]]s. Furthermore, "I was always treated as if I had insisted on being born in opposition to the dictates of reason, religion and morality".<ref>{{harvnb|Charles Dickens|1993|p=31}}</ref>

Pip feels excluded by society and this leads to his aggressive attitude towards it, as he tries to win his place within it through any means. Various other characters behave similarly—that is, the oppressed become the oppressors. Jaggers dominates Wemmick, who in turn dominates Jaggers's clients. Likewise, Magwitch uses Pip as an instrument of vengeance, as Miss Havisham uses Estella.<ref>{{harvnb|Charles Dickens|1993|p=342}}</ref>

However, Pip has hope despite his sense of exclusion<ref>{{harvnb|Henri Suhamy|1971|p=2}}</ref> because he is convinced that [[divine providence]] owes him a place in society and that marriage to Estella is his destiny. Therefore, when fortune comes his way, Pip shows no surprise, because he believes that his value as a human being and his inherent nobility have been recognized. Thus, Pip accepts Pumblechook's flattery without blinking: "That boy is no common boy"<ref>{{harvnb|Charles Dickens|1993|p=141}}</ref> and the "May I? ''May'' I?" associated with handshakes.<ref>{{harvnb|Charles Dickens|1993|pp=140–142}}</ref>

From Pip's hope comes his "uncontrollable, impossible love for Estella",<ref>{{Citation|author=Jack B. Moore|chapter=Heart and Hands in ''Great Expectations''|title=Dickensian 61|year=1965|pages=52–56}}</ref> despite the humiliations to which she has subjected him. For Pip, winning a place in society also means winning Estella's heart.