# Orlick — Great Expectations character guide

> Orlick in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Old Orlick, gruff Old Orlick, Dolge Orlick

**First appearance:** 0015-xvi

## Snapshot

A brooding journeyman blacksmith who has always hated Pip, he carries a grudge like a hammer and waits for the right dark night.

## Who they are

Orlick works the forge at Joe's side but belongs to no one, a sullen figure whose resentment of Pip's rise curdles into something murderous. He believes Pip has always been in his way — favored where Orlick was bullied and beaten — and that grievance festers until he comes upon Mrs. Joe from behind and leaves her for dead. When he finally corners Pip in the lonely marshes, he is not just a thug but an accuser, insisting the violence was Pip's doing all along; his menace gives the novel its sharpest reminder that Pip's good fortune has a cost paid by others.

## In the story

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xv)

Orlick resents Pip, demands a half-holiday, and later lurks in the fog on the way home.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xvi)

Suspected by Pip but has an alibi; Mrs. Joe's hammer symbol points to him, and she behaves fearfully and appeasingly toward him.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xvii)

Orlick is employed at the forge and shows unwanted attention toward Biddy, which Pip resents and tries to obstruct.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxix)

Orlick has become the gate-porter at Miss Havisham's, showing resentment toward Pip.

### [Pip's Return to the Blue Boar and Revelations with Herbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxx)

Orlick is mentioned as being paid off by Jaggers after Pip reports his unsuitability for a post at Miss Havisham's.

### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxv)

Mentioned by Biddy as having been seen near the house on the night of Mrs. Joe's death and working in the quarries.

### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xliii)

Pip sees a man resembling Orlick outside the inn, though he is too troubled to confirm the identity.

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/liii)

Reveals his role in Mrs. Joe's attack and his plan to kill Pip; escapes after the rescue.

### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lvii)

Mentioned as having been arrested for breaking into Pumblechook's house.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/orlick
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters