Respond to any or all of these questions.
1. To what extent are Estella and Pip similar? Consider her relationship with Miss Havisham and Drummle.
2. What is Jaggers' purpose in the text?
3. How does Magwitch function in the plot? Make a case for him being the central character in the novel.
I'll be on later with more-- just got out of Student Council and wanted to get you started with something!
Miss B
Question 1:
ReplyDeleteEstella and Pip possess various similarities. One being how both Estella and Pip are orphans and both derive from the same background, as we find out towards the end when Dicken’s reveals that Estella is Magwitch’s daughter. Additionally, Pip and Estella are both raised by “surrogate” parents. Although Pip’s true childhood guardian is Joe, Magwitch is Pip’s secret benefactor who raises Pip to become a gentleman via large sums of money. Estella has Miss Havisham who teaches her to break men’s hearts. Therefore, both Pip and Estella, have been brought up by guardians who have corrupted their childhoods with wealth in order to achieve something they (Magwitch and Miss Havisham) want. Essentially, Pip and Estella both went for money in their lives. Although Pip and Estella both obtained wealth, their dreams were not fulfilled. Pip learns that money is not everything when he discovers that Magwitch, a convict, is his secret benefactor. Also Pip comes to this realization when he figures that he is losing Joe by becoming a gentleman, and wants to marry Biddy because he knows she is in his true social class. Estella learns that money is not everything when she marries Bentley Drummle, a man possessing great wealth. Estella has a poor relationship with Drummle and realizes that she must leave him because money is not everything. In the last scene, Pip and Estella meet years after their last encounter at where the Satis home once stood, and they realize that they are alike and compatible. Therefore, the last scene truly exhibits how Estella and Pip were meant to be together from the moment they met; it was only wealth and their guardians/benefactors that stood in their way.
-Cole Magee
All excellent points, Cole! The only thing I'd point out is that while they do end up similar in the end, they don't end up together... I believe the quote is they "live apart" as friends. I'd imagine that it has to do with the novel being one of Dickens's later works where he is more jaded about the "happily ever after" type of love relationship.
DeleteMr. Jaggers furthers the motif of criminality in "Great Expectations". As a successful lawyer, he appears to have become calloused and hardened by his daily work. He reeks of soap from a constant washing of his hands, which indicates an urge to cleanse himself from the degeneration of the criminals. I think that Wemmick's interaction with various convicts, when he and Pip tour the prison, is most significant in contrasting Jaggers's view. Pip describes the prison as "Wemmick's greenhouse," and that he observes the criminals like "plants". While Jaggers seems almost disgusted by his clients, and keen to distance himself from their actions, Wemmick searches for some objective good. This furthers the irony of crime and status in this book. Jaggers, hardened by his work, retains some humanity beneath the surface (in his aiding Miss Havisham in adopting Estella, and his faint fatherly treatment of Pip). He, however, views the convicts and criminals as far inferior. Wemmick seeks the good beneath, and disproves the restricting societal assumptions.
ReplyDeletePhoebe
Good contrast between Jaggers and Wemmick. Also, good use of textual support-- that is what I'll be looking for on the test :)
Delete2. Jaggers functions as both a plot device to begin Pip on his transformation into a gentlemen and as an illustration of the negative image Dickens had of lawyers when he wrote the novel.
ReplyDeleteJaggers is also affected by the sense of transitive guilt that pervades all of London in the piece, and he constantly washes his hands to, subconsciously at least, wash that guilt from himself. He constantly deals with hostile witnesses or obviously guilty criminals on a daily basis, and he therefore treats almost everyone he meets with that same attitude, including Pip. Pip constantly feels as if he is being interrogated while speaking with Mr. Jaggers, and his constant feeling of guilt, the "iron on his leg", is brought farther forward in his mind when talking to Jaggers.
This guilt could show how Dickens felt that all lawyers, at their core, knew that they were bad people, in Dickens' mind, and Jaggers is an example of that kind of person.
-Seamus (Sorry for the late hour, my internet adores screwing with me)
Abel Magwitch plays a pivotal role in “Great Expectations”. He can be seen as the character “behind the scenes”, contributing to almost every aspect of Pip’s life both consciously and subconsciously. In the beginning of the novel, when Magwitch is first introduced, he brings with him the idea of criminality, and implants it into Pip’s young mind. He frightens Pip into stealing food for his own good, and in turn, causes Pip to feel gut-wrenching guilt for years to come. Even though he is unaware of the fact, Magwitch is the father of Estella, the love of Pip’s life. Without Estella, Pip would never feel the need to become a gentleman by receiving an education, escaping his class, and learning the moral values of the rich. Finally, Magwitch is responsible for Pip’s wealth. Being Pip’s elusive benefactor, Magwitch is able to exhibit his “behind the scenes” role, knowingly contributing to Pip’s journey to becoming a gentleman.
ReplyDelete-Sam
Good point about his plot functions. Even better point about how he establishes the guilt factor in the novel.
DeleteMagwitch was introduced within the first few pages of the text, highlighting his subliminal importance throughout the book. Although his appearance was short lived, until later on, he is arguably one of the most (if not the most) important characters in 'Great Expectations'.
ReplyDeleteAs Pip's age increases Magwitch's riches do the same, providing Pip with a substantial cushioning for his near future. Without Pip's encounter with the anonymous convict in the graveyard, there would be no plot...without this encounter there would be no expectations.
His involvement in the plot is substantial, he possesses the expectations of Pip, in addition to the funds that will help such exist. He teaches Pip about rising above the social class superficiality, that although he may have been a convict, there was hope for him to better himself and create a positive lifestyle through business. The novel revolved around Magwitch's decisions and actions- providing Pip with an enormous sum of money, as well as appearing in England despite being banished. Which progresses into another point- the act of returning to London to visit Pip, sparks many conflicts such as keeping him (Magwitch) in hiding, transporting him from London up the river where Magwitch is caught...the climax of the book.
All in all, although Magwitch was not physically present throughout a large portion of the book, he was there subtly, without Pip's knowledge which even more highlights the importance of this character.
-Sarah Shepard
Good discussion of plot-- theme development is also significant.
Delete1. There are many similarities that are shown throughout the book that connects Pip and Estella. Not known until later in the book but both come from a poor beginning; Estella's mother being someone accused of murder and Pip from a blacksmith family. Due to this, both of them are parented by a guardian. Both also came to realize that their guardians expect great things from them. Miss Havisham purposefully brought up Estella to break boys' hearts and to be very protected and cold towards everyone but her. Pip, on the other hand, hopes to reach social, intelligent, and moral success from his benefactor. Pip and Estella are surrounded by money while reaching his goal to be a gentlemen, Pip with new money, while Estella is taught to maintain old customs. Towards the end, Estella and Pip come to realize that their money isn't everything. Throughout most of the book, Pip wants to marry Estella and prove to her that he is a gentlemen and worthy of her. To be a gentlemen in Pip's eyes is to hold money and social status; however, once his ultimate goals are not achieved. he begins to realize that that's not the true meaning of a gentlemen. Estella, on the other hand, learns that the possession of money doesn't create true love. Estella arguably married Drummle due to the fact that he had money and was in a high social class. Perhaps not as much with Estella, but both characters learn the meaning of money and the idea that a person shouldn't be defined by it.
ReplyDeleteEmily L
Great connection. Your final sentence is a good example of how you can write a one sentence conclusion. Add some textual support and this would be a good test response.
DeleteI strongly agree with Sarah's points regarding Magwitch's importance to the novel. However, to add to his importance to the plot, in chapter 50 Pip and Herbert connect the dots between Molly the house keeper and Magwitch as Estella's Mother and Father. This twist to the plot adds an odd connection between Pip & Estella. Magwitch had come back into the story and become a secondary father figure to Pip, meanwhile Magwitch really is Estella's father. This connection puts Pip and Estella together, not as lovers, but as brother and sister.
ReplyDelete-Tazer
Figuratively, of course, but your comment definitely sheds light on the end of the novel. Good point.
Delete