Great Expectations · Character

Mr. Wopsle

The village church clerk with theatrical ambitions, who abandons the pulpit for the stage and reappears in London as the tragedian Waldengarver.

supporting

Also known as Wopsle, stimulating Mr. Wopsle, the unfortunate Wopsle, Mr. Waldengarver, Waldengarver

First appearance: The Soldiers at the Forge

As a supporting figure in Great Expectations, Mr. Wopsle is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Wopsle delivers theatrical moral lessons at dinner, using the pork as a text to criticize Pip's character.

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Wopsle reads the lessons with such gloomy relish that the congregation feels judged, and his dream of dramatic glory is the running joke of the village. When he finally takes to the London stage, his Hamlet is greeted…

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See Mr. Wopsle in The Soldiers at the Forge

Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Mr. Wopsle sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Pip's moral and social circle
Protagonist
Hometown tradesmen and servants

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Pip reaches the emotional and psychological peak of his delusio…

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In the story

Mr. Wopsle appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV
Wopsle delivers theatrical moral lessons at dinner, using the pork as a text to criticize Pip's character.
The Soldiers at the Forge
Wopsle asks the sergeant if the pursuit is for convicts, in a matter-of-course way. He initially wants to go back but stays with the party.
Chapter VI
Present at the discussion, but his objections are dismissed.
Chapter VII
His great-aunt runs the village school; he occasionally 'examines' the scholars with dramatic readings.
The Stranger at the Jolly Bargemen
Mr. Wopsle is present at the Jolly Bargemen, recites from Richard the Third, and accompanies Joe and Pip home.
Chapter XV
Mr. Wopsle reads 'George Barnwell' dramatically at Pumblechook's, making Pip feel accused.
Chapter XXVII
Wopsle has left the church and taken up playacting in London; Joe brings a playbill announcing Wopsle's performance.
Chapter XXXI
Performs as Hamlet under the stage name Waldengarver; endures audience mockery but remains proud of his performance.
XLVII
Performs in a play and later tells Pip that Compeyson was in the audience, sitting behind Pip.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Wopsle in The Soldiers at the Forge

See Mr. Wopsle in IV