Chapter 23 and 24: The Hopes and Delusions of Mrs. Pocket in Great Expectations

TLDRIn chapters 23 and 24 of Great Expectations, Pip meets Mr. Matthew Pocket and learns about the unrealistic ambitions of Mrs. Pocket. He also encounters fellow students Bentley Drummel and Startop Snotty. Pip witnesses the comical frustrations of Mr. Pocket and the incompetence of Mrs. Pocket. He is educated to become a gentleman and decides to stay with Herbert at Barnard Zen. Pip visits Mr. Jaggers to get money and learns about his unethical practices.

Key insights

🎩Mrs. Pocket's delusions of nobility and her insistence on being treated like a royal

🏰Mr. Pocket's unfulfilled ambitions and his humorous frustrations

👨‍🎓Pip's education as a gentleman and his decision to stay with Herbert

💰Pip's visit to Mr. Jaggers to obtain money and his discovery of Jaggers's unethical practices

🏛️Pip's observation of Mr. Jaggers dominating the courtroom with his cross-examinations

Q&A

What are Mrs. Pocket's unrealistic ambitions?

Mrs. Pocket dreams of marrying into nobility and insists on being treated as a noble despite her lack of social status.

How does Mr. Pocket cope with his unfulfilled ambitions?

Mr. Pocket becomes a corrector of literary compilations and earns enough to support his family, but he still feels frustrated.

Why does Pip decide to stay with Herbert at Barnard Zen?

Pip is inspired by Mr. Pocket's friendly and enthusiastic attitude as a teacher and sees potential in his relationship with Herbert.

What unethical practices does Pip discover about Mr. Jaggers?

Pip learns that Mr. Jaggers treats his clients as trophies and displays casts of his most celebrated clients in his office.

How does Mr. Jaggers dominate the courtroom?

Mr. Jaggers intimidates everyone in the courtroom, including the judge, with his powerful cross-examinations.

Timestamped Summary

00:09Pip meets Mr. Matthew Pocket and learns about the unrealistic ambitions of Mrs. Pocket to become nobility.

00:28Pip witnesses the comical frustrations of Mr. Pocket and the incompetence of Mrs. Pocket in running the household.

00:51Pip encounters fellow students Bentley Drummel and Startop Snotty, and witnesses Drummel's superior attitude.

01:15Mr. Pocket educates Pip to become a gentleman, inspiring him to stay with Herbert at Barnard Zen.

01:35Pip visits Mr. Jaggers to get money and learns about his unethical practices, including displaying casts of his clients.

02:06Pip goes with Mr. Wemmick to a police court and observes Mr. Jaggers dominating the courtroom with his presence.