Great Expectations: Second Stage

In the second stage, specifically chapter 21, Pip comes once again comes across the pale young gentleman that he met in the first stage, now named Herbert. As well as being an extraordinary coincidence, their exchange over dinner that night leads to Pip learning of Miss Havisham's past, specifically the history of how she was abandoned by her fiance. He also, by way of Herbert, comes to knowledge of much other interesting information, including the occupation of the latter, insight that Miss Havisham's purpose for Estella is to break the hearts of men, and details on how to become a gentleman, namely holding spoons, glasses, and napkins correctly.

The exchange between Pip and Herbert relates to several major motifs in the book. For one, there is an existing contrast between the two, as both are similar in age and size, and both are gentleman, or in the former's case, at least developing into one. This relates to the motif of "becoming a gentleman," as well as when Herbert helps Pip to become this by way of table manners. In addition, elements of Herbert's tale of Miss Havisham have some literary significance. Her delusion that her cousin had been jealous of her prior to her marriage is very similar to how Pip was deluded in to thinking that Biddy was jealous of him prior to him becoming a gentleman, providing an important "double."