# Herbert Pocket — Great Expectations character guide > Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Herbert Pocket, Herbert, Mr. Pocket, Expecting Herbert **First appearance:** 0022-xxiii ## Snapshot Pip's cheerful London roommate and fellow 'expecting' young gentleman, who reads Pip's heart long before Pip confesses it aloud. ## Who they are Herbert Pocket, once the pale young gentleman Pip brawled with at Satis House, becomes his closest friend and guide through London's manners and money troubles. He sees Pip's adoration of Estella plainly, teases him kindly, and offers steady companionship while Pip chases a future built on uncertain fortune. His warmth keeps Pip tethered to decency as the city and his own pride pull him in other directions. ## Relationships ### [Estella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/estella) _social_ Estella and Herbert are distant relatives and social acquaintances, with Herbert viewing her coldness with amused detachment. ### [Magwitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/magwitch) _friendship_ Herbert becomes a loyal friend and business partner to Magwitch (under the alias Provis), helping him escape London. ### [Pip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/pip) _friendship_ Herbert is Pip's closest friend and roommate, offering unwavering loyalty, humor, and moral support. ### [Joe Gargery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/joe_gargery) _friendship_ Herbert respects Joe and treats him kindly, bridging the gap between Pip's two worlds. ### [Clara Barley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/clara_barley) _romantic_ Clara is Herbert's loving, devoted fiancée and later wife, providing him with a warm, stable home life. ### [Estella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/estella) _social_ Estella and Herbert are distant relatives and social acquaintances, with Herbert viewing her coldness with amused detachment. ### [Pip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/pip) _friendship_ Herbert is Pip's closest friend and roommate, offering unwavering loyalty, humor, and moral support. ### [Joe Gargery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/joe_gargery) _friendship_ Herbert respects Joe and treats him kindly, bridging the gap between Pip's two worlds. ### [Clara Barley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/clara_barley) _romantic_ Clara is Herbert's loving, devoted fiancée and later wife, providing him with a warm, stable home life. ### [Joe Gargery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/joe_gargery) _friendship_ Herbert respects Joe and treats him kindly, bridging the gap between Pip's two worlds. ### [Estella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/estella) _social_ Estella and Herbert are distant relatives and social acquaintances, with Herbert viewing her coldness with amused detachment. ### [Magwitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/magwitch) _friendship_ Herbert becomes a loyal friend and business partner to Magwitch (under the alias Provis), helping him escape London. ## In the story ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xi) The pale young gentleman who fights Pip and later introduces himself as Herbert Pocket. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxi) Greets Pip at Barnard's Inn; they recognize each other as the 'pale young gentleman' and 'prowling boy' from their earlier encounter. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxii) Herbert narrates the story of Miss Havisham's past, including her betrayal, and shares his own ambitious plans for becoming a wealthy capitalist. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxiii) Son of Mr. and Mrs. Pocket, provides Pip with background information on his father's history. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxiv) Herbert is mentioned as Pip's companion at Barnard's Inn, whose society Pip values for improving his manners. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxv) Pip's intimate companion and friend; they share a boat and chambers, and Herbert helps Pip with his education. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxvi) Present at the dinner; tries to check Pip during the quarrel with Drummle. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxvii) Herbert is present during Joe's visit and suggests breakfast items for Joe, though Pip feels suspicious of his motives. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxviii) Herbert sees Pip off at the coach yard and calls him 'Handel,' a name that spares Pip from being recognized by the convicts. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxix) Mentioned as the pale young gentleman Pip fought years ago. ### [Pip's Return to the Blue Boar and Revelations with Herbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxx) Herbert reveals his engagement to Clara Barley, discusses Pip's adoration of Estella, and offers hopeful advice about Pip's expectations. ### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxi) Accompanies Pip to the theater and helps him offer polite encouragement to Wopsle. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxiii) Referred to as Mr. Matthew, praised by Estella as disinterested and above jealousy. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxiv) Herbert is led into debt and extravagance by Pip's lavish habits, and participates in their comical but ineffective financial reviews. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxvi) Herbert is mentioned as Pip's dining companion and later feels dejected after Jaggers' visit. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxvii) Beneficiary of Pip's secret plan; Pip arranges a partnership for him with Clarriker. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xli) Listens to Pip's story with astonishment and dismay, shares Pip's aversion to Magwitch, and helps plan to get Magwitch out of England. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xlii) Listens to Magwitch and writes a note identifying Compeyson as Miss Havisham's former lover. ### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xliii) Herbert consults with Pip about the plan to get Magwitch abroad and supports Pip's decision to visit Miss Havisham. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xliv) Mentioned by Pip as a friend and beneficiary of Pip's request for Miss Havisham's help. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xlv) Herbert is mentioned as having executed the plan to move Magwitch to a safe house by the river, working with Wemmick. ### [Chapter XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xlvi) Hosts Pip at Mill Pond Bank, introduces Clara, and proposes the boat scheme for Magwitch's escape. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xlvii) Pip sends the unopened pocketbook to Magwitch through Herbert, and confides in him about Estella. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xlix) Mentioned in the context of Pip's efforts to secure his partnership. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/l) Tenderly nurses Pip's wounds and recounts Magwitch's dark past, including the story of a jealous woman and a child. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/li) Herbert is mentioned as having held a 'momentous conversation' with Pip and is the beneficiary of the nine hundred pounds Pip secures from Miss Havisham for his partnership. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lii) Herbert discusses escape plans with Pip, suggests involving Startop, and prepares to help get Magwitch away. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/liii) Leads the rescue of Pip from Orlick. ### [The Flight Down the River](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/liv) Rows the boat alongside Startop, helping in the escape. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lv) Herbert tells Pip he must leave for Cairo soon, and they discuss Pip's future as a clerk in Herbert's firm. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lviii) Pip lives happily with Herbert and his wife; Herbert learns of Pip's secret role in his partnership. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/herbert_pocket - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters