Great Expectations Chapter Seventeen Summary

Pip gets used to his blacksmith lifestyle, though he is still Eeyore, moping around.
He starts to notice Biddy. And by notice, we mean NOTICE. She is a very pretty young lady (though nothing compared to Estella, Pip is quick to remind us), and she now has fancy hair-dos and wears high heels. She has nice eyes to boot.
One day, Pip is studying in the kitchen while Biddy sews near him, listening to him read aloud. She seems to be sponging up everything that he learns himself, all while taking care of daily domestic tasks, errands, and chores.
Pip suddenly tells her how amazing she is for being able to manage the house and learn at the same time. Biddy is very bashful. When Pip compliments her some more, especially in light of her loveless, orphaned childhood, Biddy starts to cry a little, but changes the subject quickly.
Pip begins to think that Biddy must just be the perfect person to confide in, to express all of his melancholy emotions, as well as his hopes and dreams. He asks Biddy to take a long walk with him on Sunday.
Sunday arrives, and the two of them take a summer stroll on the marshes. It’s a beautiful day, and Pip sees the sails on the horizon and immediately thinks of Estella.
After pulling out lots of grass, he finally confesses his deepest secret to Biddy and tells her that he wants to be a gentleman more than anything in the world.
Biddy tells him she wouldn’t wish that if she were him; she wouldn’t want to be something that she’s not and she wouldn’t aspire for a lifestyle she will never have.
Pip doesn’t take this dose of reality too well.
Pip tells Biddy that someone once told him that he was common, and that that comment has been haunting him ever since.
Biddy tells him that the comment was neither polite nor true. She asks Pip who made the comment, and Pip tells her the most beautiful lady in the whole wide world said so. He also tells Biddy that he is head over heels for this lady.
Biddy wants to know whether Pip wants to be a gentleman to seek revenge on Estella or to woo Estella. Pip doesn’t know. Biddy continues that, if he wants to seek revenge on Estella, a better tactic would be to ignore her altogether. And if he wants to woo Estella, she is not worthy enough to be wooed by Pip.
Biddy is pretty much the wisest girl ever.
Pip feels really sorry for himself.
Biddy tells him she’s glad he felt he could confide in her. Pip assures her he will always confide in her. Biddy retorts that he should continue to confide in her until he becomes a gentleman.
The two walk along, and Pip tells Biddy that he wishes he could MAKE himself fall in love with her, because, if that were the case, everything would be OK for him. He’s a real charmer, that Pip.
Suddenly, Orlick shows up out of the graveyard. He tells Pip and Biddy that he wants to escort them home. They humbly decline. Biddy tells Pip that she doesn’t like Orlick. She tells him that Orlick likes her and flirts with her mercilessly, against her will.
This enrages Pip, and he begins to watch Orlick more closely from then on. He doesn’t trust the man at all.
Pip realizes that he is starting to get used to the whole blacksmith thing, and with his sister less volatile, life is pretty peaceful at home. He begins to imagine himself living with Joe for the rest of his life and eventually marrying Biddy.
That is, until things get shaken up.

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