Pip's Adventure in "Great Expectations"

The novel GreatExpectations by Charles Dickens is the story of an orphan boy named Pip who embarks upon a journey to become a gentleman. This journey can be compared to the typical adventure of a hero- which proves that the novel can be seen as a heroic adventure. Elements of this type of venture found in the novel include an invitation to the adventure, crossing the threshold into the adventure, and more.

An invitation to adventure is the first element in the novel. It occurs when Pip first hears that he will be visiting a woman named Miss Havisham. He learns that he is to go play at the woman's house, and knows that it is important. For one thing, his older sister says that he should be grateful; and he knows that Miss Havisham is a rich old lady who lives uptown. Aside from those facts he does not know exactly what the meaning of it is.

Secondly, there is the crossing of the threshold from home to adventure. This really begins when Pip leaves home the first time for Miss Havisham's (although he does return home afterwards). He travels with an acquaintance named Mr. Pumblechook and stays at his home one night along the way. At this point he is removed from his home and has thus crossed the threshold.

The next element is the hero being placed in the unknown. The unknown is most definitely Miss Havisham's house. Although there isn't a time when Pip is assumed dead, he is most definitely in unfamiliar territory. At this house the windows never open, the candles burn dim, the air is stale; and an old, withered lady wears a bridal gown yellowed with age while she looks at her bridal cake being overrun by spiders. This could never be normal.