Great Expectations: Chapter 40
The recap, key beats, and evidence for Chapter 40, without reopening the whole book.
Section recap · 2 min read
What happens in Chapter 40.
The morning after Magwitch's arrival, Pip tries to figure out what to do. He discovers a stranger on the staircase and can't identify him. Magwitch, now going by the name Provis to protect his identity, is an escaped convict who will be executed if caught in England. Pip feels trapped: he can't turn Magwitch in, he can't take more of his money, and he can't get rid of him. He starts thinking about how to protect Magwitch while figuring out his own next move.
The beats worth remembering.
The Stranger on the Staircase
Pip finds someone lurking on the stairs outside his apartment. He can't identify the person, who disappears. It's a sign that Magwitch's arrival has already made Pip's life dangerous.
Magwitch Explains His Legal Situation
Magwitch tells Pip that returning to England means death if he's caught. He's a transported convict who came back illegally. Pip now understands the full weight of what's sitting in his apartment.
Pip Decides He Cannot Take More Money
Pip resolves not to spend any more of Magwitch's money. He doesn't want to be further in debt to a man whose fortune came from crime. But he also can't abandon Magwitch to the law.
The moments you can actually use later.
Magwitch's Illegal Return
Magwitch came back to England knowing it could cost him his life. His reason was to see the gentleman he made. This is useful for arguing that Magwitch's love for Pip, however uncomfortable, is real and costly.
Pip's Refusal to Benefit Further
Pip decides to stop drawing on the allowance and to find his own way. The decision shows some moral growth, even if it's mixed with disgust. Students can use this to track Pip's slow shift away from his earlier selfishness.
What to carry forward.
Pip Is Now Responsible for Magwitch
Whether Pip likes it or not, he's connected to Magwitch. Protecting him becomes Pip's main problem for the rest of the novel. Students should track how this obligation changes Pip.
The Mystery Figure on the Stairs
The unidentified person on the staircase is not explained right away. Students should remember it. It connects to Compeyson, Magwitch's old enemy, and the danger closing in around them.
Ask about this chapter
Keep the question locked to Chapter 40 instead of the whole book.
How this guide is built
This guide is built from the original text to help you get oriented fast. It is designed for recall, paper planning, and getting unstuck, but it is still a paraphrased guide, not a substitute for the reading itself. Double-check anything important before you turn in formal work.