Great Expectations quotes, explained for kids
Great Expectations has one of the most famous openings in English, and Joe the blacksmith says some of the kindest things in any Dickens novel. These ten lines follow Pip from a frightened little boy in a churchyard to a grown man who has learned what really matters. Some are funny, some are wise, and a few are a bit grown-up, so read them aloud and explain as you go. They are great for talking with a 6–9 year old about fairness, friendship and saying sorry.
Every line is quoted word for word from the original 1861 novel by Charles Dickens.
Quote 1: “My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip.”
Pip, these are the very first words of the book What it means: When Pip was a baby he could not say his long name, Philip Pirrip, so he squashed it into “Pip,” and the nickname stuck.
Ask your child: Do you have a nickname? How did you get it?
Quote 2: “Hold your noise!”
The convict (Magwitch), a fierce escaped prisoner jumps out from among the graves and grabs Pip What it means: It is an old way of saying “Be quiet!” The man does not want anyone to hear Pip crying.
Ask your child: How do you think Pip felt at that moment?
Quote 3: “Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies.”
Mrs. Joe, pip asks his sister why the guns are firing out on the marshes What it means: His sister means “Stop asking!” Pip notices it is a strange thing to say, because it suggests she might tell him lies.
Ask your child: Is it good to ask lots of questions? Why?
Quote 4: “Ever the best of friends; an’t us, Pip?”
Joe, joe hugs Pip by the fire after telling him how much he wanted him at the forge What it means: Joe is Pip’s grown-up best friend, and he wants Pip to know he will always be there for him. “An’t us” is Joe’s way of saying “aren’t we.”
Ask your child: Who is someone who is always on your side?
Quote 5: “And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!”
Estella, estella plays cards with Pip at Miss Havisham’s house and makes fun of him What it means: Estella is being unkind, teasing Pip for having rough hands and heavy boots. Her words make Pip feel ashamed of his home for the first time.
Ask your child: How can unkind words change the way someone feels about themselves?
Quote 6: “Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.”
Pip, pip looks back on the first day he visited Miss Havisham What it means: One important day can change your whole life, like the first link in a long chain. Pip asks readers to think about their own special days.
Ask your child: Can you remember a day that changed something for you?
Quote 7: “Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.”
Pip, pip finally cries as he leaves his village for London What it means: It is all right to cry. Pip says tears are like rain that washes away dust and softens a hard heart.
Ask your child: What helps you feel better after you cry?
Quote 8: “life is made of ever so many partings welded together”
Joe, joe visits Pip in London and gently explains why he will not stay What it means: Joe means life is full of goodbyes, joined together like pieces of metal in his forge. People sometimes go different ways, and that is a normal part of life.
Ask your child: What is a goodbye that was hard for you?
Quote 9: “He wishes me most particular to write what larks. He says you will understand.”
Biddy (writing for Joe), biddy writes a letter to Pip with a special message from Joe What it means: “What larks!” is Joe’s happy saying for good fun times together. He wants Pip to remember the jolly days they shared.
Ask your child: What is a saying your family uses for happy times?
Quote 10: “suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be.”
Estella, pip and Estella meet again, years later, in the ruins of an old garden What it means: Estella has had hard times, and they have made her kinder. Now she understands how Pip felt when she was unkind to him.
Ask your child: Can a hard time ever teach us something good?
Questions about Great Expectations quotes
- What is the first line of Great Expectations?
- It begins, “My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip.” It explains how Philip Pirrip got his nickname.
- Who says “What larks!” in Great Expectations?
- Joe Gargery, the kind blacksmith. It is his cheerful phrase for good times, and Biddy even writes it in a letter to Pip for him.
- What does “Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies” mean?
- It is an old saying meaning “Stop asking questions.” Mrs. Joe snaps it at Pip, and Pip quietly notices it is not very polite, since it hints she might lie to him.
- What is the most famous quote from Great Expectations?
- Besides the opening, many readers love Joe’s line “life is made of ever so many partings welded together” and Pip’s words “we need never be ashamed of our tears.”