Herbert Pocket is far from a minor character in Great Expectations

Olly Alexander, who plays Herbert Pocket, and Jeremy Irvine, as Pip, in the 2012 film adaptation of Great Expectations, directed by Mike Newell. Photograph: Bbc Films/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Well, Zoe Williams, I have heard of Herbert and so has anyone else who’s read Great Expectations (Think you know a lot about Dickens? Then who’s this Herbert character?, 28 May). Herbert Pocket is a relative of Miss Havisham who fights Pip and is beaten by him.

When Pip comes into money, he lives with the Pocket family, aiming to acquire the manners and knowledge of a gentleman. Pip and Herbert share chambers as young men, and so Herbert becomes aware of the Magwitch secret. He helps Pip with the failed escape.