1. Prove that Magwitch is a central character of the novel. How does he function in the plot and how does he connect to the following themes/motifs?
- Guilt
- Criminality
- Social Class
- Pip's development and "expectations"
2. What is Jaggers' role in the novel?
3. How do Miss Havisham and Drummle illustrate the similarities between Pip and Estella?
I'll post more in a few hours if necessary....
Miss B
Question 2:
ReplyDeleteI feel like Jaggers ties into the criminality motif. He seems to be calloused by his work in the office. This doesn't mean that he doesn't have a conscience. The constant washing of his hands to rid himself of the nature of his work is significant. I also think that is significant that he is committed to the facts only. We see this when Pip goes to him to confirm that Magwitch is his benefactor. Is there anynsignificance in this devotion to the facts? Dickens uses him to further his message that criminality hardens to soul? How would the truth aspect of it tie in? Jaggers is also somewhat of a plat device, but I feel like there is more to it than just that. Also, would anyone like to comment on those creepy mask statues in his office? Possible symbol?
-Elsbeth
Jaggers' role in the novel is far more complex than a plot device. His is the role of a gentleman of wealth, yet he is a poor man in terms of relationships. He has a plethora of good-paying customers who take the place of friends and family, as shown by the two grotesque yet cherished molds. Even Estella's mother, the one companion in Jaggers' home, only stays with him by a sort of imprisonment. Jaggers is a man rich in money, knowledge, and morals, yet he has a dearth of empathy. Compared to young Pip, who would help even an escaped convict, Jaggers has few similarities. His character serves as an example of what Pip cannot be, since Pip longs so dearly to be with Estella while Jaggers is above domestic companionship.
ReplyDelete-Julia
All very good comments, Julia. Good basis for a character analysis.
DeleteThanks, but I still feel a little shaky on the themes of guilt and crime. I'm not ready for this test yet!
DeleteThanks, Julia! I totally agree with your points. You definitely elaborated on what I was thinking. I really liked the fact that your connected Jaggers back to Pip... That is the connection I wasn't really finding at first :))
Delete-Elsbeth
Magwitch is a central character in the novel because he brings to attention both types of gentlemen. When Magwitch was a prisoner in the marsh and Pip helps him, it leaves a significant impression on Magwitch that a young boy like Pip has such a kind heart. The fact that he continues to help Pip years later because of this small act on Pip's part shows how Magwitch is aiding in the generational change from the status and money type of gentleman to the gentleman with kindness and dignity. By being a benefactor to Pip, Magwitch is rewarding him for Pip's kindness, and is encouraging him to hold onto that, in turn preserving the honorable gentleman. Magwitch knows that money is still important to be considered anyone, but he believes that he is supplying Pip with the things he needs to be successful and change the definition of gentleman from someone like Drummle to a person like Joe.
ReplyDelete-Sena
Interesting to note that "the things he needs to be successful" is money...
DeleteGood comments.
Magwitch is a central character in the story because he plays a major part throughout Pip's life, and is a representation of a new type of gentleman/industrialization. When Magwitch first appears in Pip's life, he is in the lowest class of society there is and as Pip grows, he does too. Because Pip left such a great impression on him, Magwitch works to make an even greater difference in Pip's life. By giving Pip all that he ever wanted, and all that he himself never could be, Magwitch becomes a central character because he gives Pip all the potential he could have. Also, Magwitch becomes a symbol of rising and working for your money, unlike Miss Havisham and Victorian England overall. He also turns Pip into a different form of gentleman, one not born a gentleman but struggles to become one.
ReplyDelete-Sarah
Magwitch is definitely a central character in the novel because he's introduced in some of the first pages of the first chapter, so the reader obviously knows that he is important right away. This also foreshadows when he makes his reappearance and it comes with the news that HE is Pip's "mysterious benefactor", making him a key player in Pip's expectations- since they all came from him. (I'm sorry Miss B, I know that was a run on sentence.) Like Sena said, he sees in Pip a sweet boy with a good heart- the kind of person that should, technically, be an upper class person. Subsequently he funds Pip's journey from the forge to London but cannot predict that the world of a gentleman will change Pip along the way. He also helps illustrate social class because when he first meets Pip in the marsh, Pip treats him like any other man needing help and doesn't stop to think "Hey, maybe this isn't a good idea, he's below me." When Magwitch comes back however, Pip is immediately ashamed and wants nothing to do with a man like him, even though he's been so gracious to Pip. Pip doesn't even want the money that he's been given by him. Pip looks down on him at this point because he has changed social classes from a simple country boy to a London gentleman. Sorry this is kind of a late post! I also agree with Julia, I'm definitely iffy on the guilt and crime themes!!
ReplyDelete-Erin
All good comments-- especially how Pip helps him regardless of class.
DeleteMagwitch is a key charactor in the Great Expectations. He is the hand that toys with the expectations of Pip and his future to become a gentleman. Even though Magwitch doesn't have a concrete presence during a good portion of the book, the reader later learns that he was the benefactor who had changed Pips life around. Without Magwitch the book's themes would be far less prominent. One such example is the theme of criminality. The idea that the upperclass crimes such as those of Compeyson have a long lasting, negative effect on society, while the lower class crimes are less so. This in turn shows the contrast between the "old gentleman", one of wealth and class, to the "new gentleman", a person of integrity and honor and the evolution of society's view on the each.
ReplyDelete-Eric
Good. Look for specifics to support this.
DeleteJaggers enables the reader to understand more about role of law and of the common man in the changing Victorian times. Mr Jaggers is essentially one of the the most truthful, honest men in the story. It is seen when Mr Jaggers explains that he doesn't care for appearances much and only for the facts. While he is enamored by truth he is also condescending as seen when he is first seen by Pip and the fact he constantly washs his hands after dealing with clients. He is a symbol of the Law as he is truthful yet often cruel and unjust. His profession and attitude is a reflection of the theme of isolationism which is a present theme in many ways (The marshs and Miss Havisham living alone isolated from society. Ultimately he has the role of being the guardian of Pip until the stranger that gave Pip the role of being a gentlemen steps forward. His honesty reflects that Pip desires to understand the truth to being a gentlemen and that Jaggers chracteristics show some elements to this title.
ReplyDelete-Sean
Excellent commentary. Nice job.
DeleteMagwitch is a central character in Great Expectations because he contributes to the development of the main themes in the novel. Magwitch is shown in the beginning, as a convict and a member of the lowest possible class. He represents the criminality in the story, introduced to the readers as a man with an iron shackle on his ankle, convincing Pip to steal a file from Joe and threatening his life if the dead is not fulfilled. After this first encounter, Magwitch works hard to rise in the social class and better his life. Unlike Miss Havisham who was born into the high class, Magwitch starts at the bottom and works his way up. If he did not have the desire to make these great fortunes, Pip would not have had the opportunity to become a gentleman. Pip realizes that his original interpretation of a gentleman or a role model was not necessarily correct. Although characters like Magwitch and Joe may seem unworthy of being gentlemen, they are actually the individuals who deserve the title most. These men work for what that have, creating a new definition and breaking away from the norms of the Victorian era.
ReplyDelete-Shelby
Good-- concise and correct.
DeleteSorry for posting my response so late, but I will check in the morning to see if you add anything.
ReplyDeleteThe qualities we see in Miss Havisham and Drummle can be seen as direct contrasts to the ones found in Pip and Estella. In this way, Pip and Estella become more similar characters as they both share certain personality traits like, for example, their compassion and kindness. Although Estella is often considered cruel and socially above Pip, she protects Pip by acting the way she does. For example, Lucille P. Schores argues in “The Character of Estella in Great Expectations” that, “… she knows that Miss Havisham has warped her personality beyond repair … she accepts her own limitations, and quite unselfishly she refuses to burden Pip with them.” Pip also has a great deal of kindness for those around him. One excellent example is of his great efforts to get Herbert a job. He secretly asks for Wemmick’s help and invests money all to see his friend’s dream of working in the merchant business come true. Two characters that are very dissimilar to Pip and Estella are Miss Havisham and Drummle, although each portrays it in their own way. Miss Havisham, for example, is solely concerned with her revenge on the male population. Although she has had to endure her husband leaving her and stealing from her family’s business, her actions in the book pertaining to how she raised Estella are rooted in hatred. Drummle, for the most part, is a flat character, but one who is intentionally portrayed as a bad person. He is an abusive husband, has an inherent sense of superiority, and is nicknamed “The Spider” by Mr. Jaggers. All in all these qualities, along with Miss Havisham’s, act as contrasts to Pip and Estella’s traits of compassion and kindness.
- Ian
Also, both Estella and Pip have relationships where the other person treats them poorly-- Estella essentially abuses Pip as Drummle does to Estella.
DeleteI'm sorry for my post being so entirely last minute.
ReplyDelete3. Miss Havisham and Bentley Drummle are used to highlight the relationship between Estella and Pip. From the beginning of the story, Miss Havisham dictates how Estella interacts with Pip. Her harsh methods of raising Estella to reek vengeance on men prevents Estella from recognizing any feelings she might possibly have towards Pip. Drummle is also placed in the plot to tear Pip and Estella even farther apart. He can be seen as Miss Havisham's doing as well, considering how it is because of her that Estella unconsciously feels unworthy of Pip's love. Both Drummle and Miss Havisham are used by Dickens to evoke frustration in Pip and in the reader, bringing forth an anger at the fact that both characters prevent Pip from succeeding in his highest expectation of himself.
Emily Roise