How does Pip take initiative over his actions/hardships?

After Pip is taken to Satis House, where he meets Estella, this beautiful girl ridicules him for being "a common laboring boy." After this humiliating experience, Pip desires to become a young gentleman. He believes that if he can make such a change, he will be able to move in upper-class society and be worthy of Estella's affection.
When a mysterious stranger arrives one night with the news that Pip is to have "great expectations," Pip feels that good fortune has come his way. An unknown benefactor provides him the financial opportunity to go to London, where he can be schooled in academics and manners. While in London, Pip feels embarrassed when Joe visits him, and he later makes excuses to himself for not visiting Joe or his childhood friend Biddy whenever he is near the marshes. Pip embraces monetary and social status over love and friendship.
It is not until the old convict Magwitch arrives at Pip's residence one night that Pip is faced with a crisis of the heart. He has believed that the upper-class Miss Havisham has been his benefactor, not a convict. Aware of the grave chance Magwitch has taken to reunite with him, Pip acknowledges that he must help the man who has risked his life for love. Thus, Pip puts aside his superficial values and makes plans with his friend Herbert Pocket to get Magwitch out of London. When this plan fails and Magwitch lies dying, Pip consoles him by telling him about Estella, Magwitch's daughter. Further, in the last part of the novel, Pip finally establishes his moral values and rejects those of the frivolous upper class. He even risks his life to save Miss Havisham when her old wedding dress catches on fire. Later on, Pip returns to the marsh and those who love him. There he humbles himself before them. When Joe acts as though nothing has separated them, Pip begs him,

"Oh Joe, you break my heart! Look angry at me.... Tell me of my ingratitude. Don't be so good to me!" (Ch. 40)

Not unlike the prodigal son, Pip returns to the marsh to seek forgiveness and to embrace the real values of love and friendship and the basic truths of life.