Foil

Miss Havisham to Magwitch

Miss Havisham and Magwitch are similar in that both have amazing names, and both have protégés that they are preening in order to enact some kind of revenge: Miss Havisham seeks revenge on men, and Magwitch seeks revenge on the upper class and on all of those who deemed him worthless. Both unintentionally wound the protégés for whom they work so hard to provide, for Estella is incapable of love, and Pip rejects Joe in the name of the money and the promise of money that Magwitch provides.

Estella to Biddy

Pip once tells Biddy that he wishes he could make himself fall in love with her, because he knows in his hear that she would be good for him. Biddy is wise, approachable, and generous of spirit. She is observant and is a good judge of character. She knows the power of self-determination and works her way to a position as a schoolmistress. Estella, by contrast, is lofty, cold, and uncaring. She does, however, give Pip sound advice (which is "don’t fall in love with me, or you’ll be sorry"). Both Biddy and Estella are orphans who have been raised by eccentric women and who survived some pretty horrible childhoods. They are strong, but their positions in society make them quite different women.

Pip to Herbert

Pip and Herbert are best friends, but they possess different perspectives on life. Pip plays hard in London, and Herbert, if left to his own devices, would probably keep more to himself. Pip spends money like crazy, while Herbert chooses to live in rundown Barnwell’s so that he doesn’t have to rely on his father. Pip dreams of becoming a gentleman. Herbert, born into a family of some social standing, dreams of becoming a successful shipping merchant. Pip loves a woman who does not love him. Herbert loves a woman who adores him and who will marry him. Pip’s dreams fail, but Herbert’s dream succeeds (thanks to Pip’s maneuvering). Pip often needs advice and help, while Herbert is good at giving advice. The boys bring out the best in one another.

Compeyson to Drummle

Compeyson and Drummle are lovers and husbands (or almost-husbands) to Miss Havisham and Estella, respectively. Both men are cold, irreverent, and violent. Both men injure the women who love them. Both men meet their deaths in unusual ways: Compeyson drowns and Drummle is killed while mistreating a horse.