The financial and social rise of the protagonist is accompanied by an emotional and moral deterioration, which forces Pip to recognize his negative expectations in a new self-awareness.

Pip is destined for, and wants, a career as a blacksmith like his brother-in-law, until an unexpected chain of events thrusts him into a different social class.

[citation needed] When, four years into his apprenticeship, a mysterious benefactor enables him to escape the working class, Pip moves to London as a teenager to become a gentleman.

In his youth, he believes that his patron is Estella's guardian Miss Havisham, who wants to make him a suitable contender for her ward's hand.

Once he moves to London, though his benefactor is not named, Pip persists in believing that Miss Havisham means him to marry Estella.

Two years after Pip comes of age his benefactor appears in person, and it is Abel Magwitch, the convict he met as a boy.

After Abel Magwitch dies and the Crown confiscates his fortune, Pip, aged 23,[3] understands that good clothes, genteel speech and a generous allowance do not make one a gentleman.

There is irony in this, as Pip used his gift at age 21 of 500 pounds to engage Herbert with the new firm, despite the fact he was being dogged by creditors.

Working for a merchant named Clarriker, Pip finally learns discipline and financial responsibility, and is now more careful.