There are several instances of irony in Great Epectations, where the character has said one thing but means the opposite or something else. One well known instance of irony in Great Expectations is when Pip refers to himself and Joe as being “brought up by hand” by his sister. This quotation is ironic because being brought up by hand usually refers to being brought up well, and taken good care of, but Dickens has made being “brought up by hand” the same as its connotation would be percieved as, this is ironic as it is means that Pip was given beatings and discplined through physical abuse.Dickens has done this to emphaside how strict and the type of person Pip’s sister is. There is also irony where Pip talks about thr great reputation Pip’s sister had gained through bringing up Pip by hand. This itself is ironic as the reputation she has gained is is usually seen as a negative one but ironically it is a positive reputation.Page7

Another well known instance of irony is when Miss Havisham and Estella are involved in a heavily heated argument between one another about how Estella has been taught how to not love anyone but Miss Havisham expects Estella  to love her back. The irony of this situation is the fact that Estella and Miss Havisham are usually extremely sarcastic when talking to other people but when the two are talking to each other no sarcasm is present at the current situation, that is what is ironic about the situation. “‘What’said Miss Havisham, flashing her eyes upon her, ‘are you tires pf me?’ Only a little tired of myself’, replied Estella” This quotation supports the fact that this situation is ironic as the two are arguing with each other in a un ironic way. Page 277