Why does Herbert call Pip Handel?

Herbert thinks “Pip” does not suit a London gentleman, and since Pip was a blacksmith’s boy he names him after Handel’s piece of music, the Harmonious Blacksmith.

Is Herbert the pale young gentleman?

Yes. He is the boy who challenged Pip to a fight in the garden of Satis House when they were children.

What happens to Herbert at the end?

He marries Clara and works abroad for Clarriker’s firm. Pip joins him there and they stay lifelong friends.

From Great Expectations

Herbert Pocket

Pip’s city roommate • Loyal and sunny

Pip’s cheerful London roommate, who teaches him city manners kindly and becomes his best friend.

Who is Herbert Pocket?

Herbert Pocket is the cheerful young man Pip lives with in London. His father, Matthew Pocket, is a relation of Miss Havisham and becomes Pip’s tutor. Herbert has little money but endless hope, and he teaches Pip city manners so kindly that Pip never feels foolish.

Herbert Pocket is a character in Great Expectations, the 1861 novel by Charles Dickens, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Herbert Pocket like?

cheerful
kind
loyal

Herbert Pocket’s story

Pip first meets Herbert as “the pale young gentleman” in the garden of Satis House, a boy who challenges him to a fight and cheerfully loses. Years later, when Pip arrives at Barnard’s Inn in London, his new roommate turns out to be that same boy. Herbert tells Pip that Miss Havisham once sent for him to see if she could take a fancy to him, and he tells Pip her sad history and warns him gently about Estella.

Herbert dreams of being an Insurer of Ships and making his fortune in trade. He is engaged to a sweet girl named Clara Barley. Pip, wanting to do one truly good thing with his money, secretly arranges for Herbert to have a place in a merchant’s firm, Clarriker’s, with help from Wemmick.

When Magwitch returns, Herbert stands by Pip without hesitation. He helps hide the old man, dresses Pip’s burned hands and rows the boat on the river. Afterward Herbert marries Clara and goes abroad for the firm. Pip joins him there as a clerk, lives happily with Herbert and Clara, and in time becomes a partner.

“Would you mind Handel for a familiar name? There’s a charming piece of music by Handel, called the Harmonious Blacksmith.”

Herbert Pocket, giving Pip a friendly nickname on their first evening. From the original 1861 novel by Charles Dickens.

A moment to remember

On their first evening together, Herbert asks if he may call Pip “Handel,” after a piece of music called the Harmonious Blacksmith.

Pip: roommate and best friend
Miss Havisham: relation of his father
Abel Magwitch: man he helps hide

Talk about it

Herbert corrected Pip’s table manners without ever making him feel silly. How can you help a friend learn something new in a kind way?

Questions about Herbert Pocket

Why does Herbert call Pip Handel?: Herbert thinks “Pip” does not suit a London gentleman, and since Pip was a blacksmith’s boy he names him after Handel’s piece of music, the Harmonious Blacksmith.
Is Herbert the pale young gentleman?: Yes. He is the boy who challenged Pip to a fight in the garden of Satis House when they were children.
What happens to Herbert at the end?: He marries Clara and works abroad for Clarriker’s firm. Pip joins him there and they stay lifelong friends.