In the second stage of the book Great Expectations Pip begins his life in London. He meets up again with the pale young gentleman who turns out to be Herbert Pocket. Pip meets many new characters who could possibly have a role in the future in the book. Pip also gets a visit from Joe who Pip has almost grown a loathing towards. Pip is annoyed at Joe for calling him sir all the time and how he doesn't have the manners a gentleman should. Pip really does not want any connections to his old life except for maybe Biddy and most definitely Estella and Mrs. Havisham. Pip is not proud of his old life.

A motif that keeps coming up is mystery. If Estella was going to turn up again was a mystery. Who the pale young gentleman was was a mystery. If this pattern keeps up, all of the mysteries in the future are going to be solved also. So any questions about who people are or what someone or something has to do with the story will most likely be solved later.