Great Expectations: Disguised Ending

A Tale of Two Endings of Great Expectations

When Charles Dickens first drafted Great Expectations, his original ending to the novel provided a concrete conclusion for the story. However, when his editor asked him to revise the ending, he did so, stating that the revised ending was a “pretty… little piece of writing.” (Appendix A) The ambiguity of the revised ending, however, leaves much to be desired. In the original ending, when Biddy questions Pip about his current feelings toward Estella, he claims strongly that he is “sure and certain” that he is over Estella (Appendix A). In the revised ending, however, Pip makes a weak assertion on behalf of his unhealed heart, stating when asked if he ever thinks of Estella,

This meeting finds Estella remarried and happy, successful and content. As the revised ending states, Estella has been remolded after her sufferings with Drummle, but there is no chance, in this original ending, to ever have her newfound emotion directed towards Pip. She kisses the child that she supposes to be Pip’s child, without ever discussing Pip’s life with him. At the end of this meeting, Pip and Estella remain parted. In the revised ending, the meeting is longer and friendlier. Pip immediately notes her “indescribable majesty” and charm, noting also that the “once proud eyes” are now softened by sadness. (491) However, Estella extends a friendly touch to Pip, putting him at ease with this familiar stranger. It seems as Estella speaks to Pip, that Estella will proceed with her life, taking leave of Pip, but that Pip will not take leave of Estella. Estella states, after Pip tells her that they are friends, that they “… will continue friends apart.” (493) This declarative, unquestioning statement can unequivocally be seen as Estella’s closing on her past with Pip. Pip, however, leaves hand in hand with Estella believing that “ … in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting