His real name being Phillip Pirrip, Pip is better known to himself and the world as Pip. Being the most important character In Great Expectations developing an understanding of Pip’s character is perhaps the most important step in understanding the story taking place. Pip’s most important traits are his immature, romantic and a surprisingly good conscience. After Pip meets Estella and Ms. Havisham, Pip’s desire for advancement overshadows his basic goodness. After Pip becomes embarrassed about his manners and clothing, he builds a deep desire to improve his traits and attain any possible advancement, whether educational, moral, or social. Because Pip is narrating his story many years after the events in the novel take place, there are really two Pips in Great Expectations: Pip the narrator and the Pip that is in the story. The events that take place mature Pip into the man who narrates the novel. Is it all over for Pip? Or will this be the beginning of his greatest adventure? Throughout the novel, Charles Dickens does a superb job of displaying the changes Pip undergoes.
