Great Expectations: Stage II

In Stage II of Great Expectations, Pip once again meets the pale young gentleman he met back in Stage I, whose name, it turns out, is Herbert Pocket, the son of the man to teach Pip. From Herbert, Pip learns manners and makes a friend his own age for the first time. The two room together, and Pip learns of Ms. Havisham's past mishaps with men, which may explain her bizarre urgings for her ward Estella to "break his heart."

This relates to several motifs established earlier in the novel. To begin with, it is a massive coincidence that Pip's roommate just happens to be the same pale young gentleman who he boxed earlier in the novel. Herbert also, by teaching Pip manners, assists in his goal of becoming a true gentleman. In some relation to that, Pip seems to have become less uptight and rude after his time with Herbert, contrasting with the motif of money corrupting Pip in the first stage. And finally, the mystery surrounding Ms. Havisham and Estella, another major motif from the first stage, has been cleared up somewhat, revealing even more wrinkles to the story.