As you accompany Pip on his journey to become a gentleman,you may experience some challenges. I will post several discussion questions to help you reflect and interact with others on your reading of Great Expectations.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Chapters 40-47
Choose a character (perhaps Magwitch, Havisham, Pip). What is your reaction to the information revealed in these chapters?
Through out the chapters of 40 through 47 Magwitch, and the rest of the characters views on him drastically changed due to new information revealed about him. As a reader, I discovered that Magwitch is actually the benefactor for Pip, this gives a complete different view on him, and allows Pip to trust him and confined in him more. It is also revealed that Magwitch is the father of Estella. I found this to be a unique twist to the story that I somewhat enjoyed! It was odd to think of Magwitch of such a different person from what I thought of him before. (Monica p.)
Pip has reverted back to being an ungrateful prat. It would make a modicum of sense if he hated Magwitch for being a convict, but no. Pip's reason for hating the man who changed his life and made him a gentleman: he's uncultured, and eats food like a commoner. That's the biggest piece of it. Not his criminal past, not his return to England, HE EATS FOOD WITH HIS KNIFE! HOW DARE HE! Really Pip, It's not like Pip was just as common; it's not like Joe, your old idol, was uncultured; it's not like the only reason you're cultured is his money! YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT! PIP MUST DIE!!! *Gets dragged off by men in white coats* ~Oliver Stein
I agree. I can understand the snobbish, elitist attitude in the beginning of his "great expectations", where his head swells so full of hot air it isn't possible for him to think clearly, but he has spent around twenty chapters, several years in book timeline, becoming more humble because of the Pocket family's influence, learning to be more polite, etcetera, then he suffer's from a minor shock which takes most of the helium under the American Great Plains and abruptly deposits it into the hypercritical faction of his thoughts. A most unbecoming change.
Magwitch has surprisingly gained my sympathy through the chapters 40-47. Due to Magwitch being revealed as Pip's benefactor it caused me to gain total respect for him. Although Magwitch still is a criminal and got the money through stealing it was an extreamely kind thing to do to give all the moeny to Pip. Not only did I gain his respect but, through the information given that Magwitch is Estella's father, it created a soft spot in my heart for Magwitch. I felt as if Miss Havisham didn't desserve to toxicate Estella's brain and that if Estella had been reaised by Magwitch, life would have been a lot brighter for Estella. We can already see through the kind treatment Magwitch has shown towards Pip that if Magwitch had brought up Estella, she would have had Magwitch's love and care. Magwitch has been a total surprise of delightment for me and I truly enjoy him as a charecter now. -Kerry Schwartz
Throughout chapters 40-47 in Great Expectations Dickens has introduced a new character into the novel, Magwitch who is Pip’s secret benefactor. When Pip and Magwitch first met, Pip was definitely frightened by him just knowing that he is a convict and by what they experienced in the past together. However, as the novel continues Pip later on begins to care for Magwitch’s safety and protection once he finds out that Compeyson could possibly be after him. Even though Magwitch is stereotyped to be convict/ criminal he still has a caring side to him because he gave Pip an education to become the gentlemen he is. This is how Magwitch paid Pip back for when Pip gave him food at the beginning of the novel. Also, based on what I have read I didn’t come to find that Magwitch was Estella’s father. However, Compeyson was Miss. Havishams fiancée that called off the wedding. -Dayna Weintraub
In chapter 40, Pip is introduced to his benefactor, which to his surprise the convict named “Magwitch”. Rather than being thank-full for his kind contributions, Pip is quite scared of the convict who is staying at his house. He is pleased by the fact that someone would provide him with money, but he’s astonished to discover that the convict, “Magwitch” was behind it, and not Miss Havisham. Pip soon becomes adjusted to his unusual habits, like keep a knife beside him while he is asleep. Pip acknowledges his intentions, and locks the door in fear of him hurting someone. Once Herbert returns from France, Pip is soon informed that Compeyson, is the other convict was the man who broke Miss Havisham’s heart. Pip soon develops sympathy for “Magwitch” since there is a likelihood of Compeyson trying to find him in England, or someone else trying to take his benefactor back to jail. As time passes them by, Pip begins to like Magwitch’s powerful personality, and is open to the idea along with his loyal friends Herbert and Mr.Wemmick, to protect him to the best of their ability. For example, once Magwitch is settled in Clara’s house Pip says, “I don’t want to leave you here.” This statement specifically addressed toward Magwitch, shows that Pip may have feared the fact that he is a violent individual, but once he had the opportunity to know him, he learns he’s not a bad guy.
-and my reaction to these chapters is that Pip is truly being a gentlemen by helping his benefactor. Many people would fear a convict, which Pip initially did, but he gave him a chance. He took the courage to protect him, and through this, it shows that Pip is a caring person toward almost anyone. I think that Pip is doing a good deed for "Magwitch" even though he isn't the best guy to help.
Magwitch and Pip are definitely the more important characters in this section of the book. When Magwitch first reveals himself to Pip and tells of how he is the benefactor of his Great Expectations, he becomes cold and hateful of him. Given, he IS the convict who terrified him as a boy and by being the benefactor, his hopes for Estella's love are proven to be worthless, but Magwitch is the one who supplied him with all of the money that's turned Pip into a gentleman! I simply cannot believe that Pips shallowness and conceitedness have dropped to a level like this (even though he's been on a decline ever since he found out about the Great Expectations). Eventually, Pip DOES come around (finally!) to Magwitch and finds his humility, remorse and respect for his benefactor and stands by his side with all of the compassion and kindess that he used to have in the beginning of the novel. Also, I can't even start to comprehend what Miss Havisham did to Pip! Her revenge on men lead Pip on for so many years and she barely has anything to say to him when he confronts her about it! FINALLY! THE BOOK'S STARTING TO GET INTERESTING!!
What is revealed about Pip, (or really Magwitch) is that Magwitch is his secret benefactor, and not Miss Havisham. I was pretty disappointed, as was Pip to hear this. He also finds out, that Estella is to marry Drummel. This is a big shock to both Pip and Miss Havisham. I was rooting for Pip all along, and was disappointed to find out that she didn't chose Pip. When Pip found out about his secret benefactor at first he wanted nothing to do with Magwitch. But he came along in the novel and started to help Magwitch. You can see him turning in to a gentleman, and Magwitch's money was well spent.
Pip is going through many changes throughout these chapters. His world as he has known is for the past couple of years is turning upside down. He had believed for so long that Miss Havisham was his benefactor and Estella was his and it was the plan for her to be made his wife. Of course his life changed when he found out his assumptions were wrong, and the person responsible for making a gentleman out of him was an escaped convict. Pip was angry at Miss Havisham for leading him on to believe she was his benefactor. To make it all worse, not only Estella was not going to marry him, but she was going to marry Drummle. That really threw Pip over the edge, he hated Drummle. He knew that Drummle was not a good guy. Pip was also struck with fear of Magwitch's old partner, Compeyson. Compeyson was the other convict Pip met in the marshes when he was young. Coincidentally, Compeyson happened to be the man who conned Miss Havisham and left her on their wedding day. This fear deeped when Compeyson was seen by Wopsle sitting behind Pip at his play. Pip was very catious and always on the look out for him. The fact that Compeyson was sneaky enough to sit right behind him for an entire play and then get away with out him noticing, confirmed his fear. Pip is becoming very confused and afraid of the life he has been living.
A lot of information was told about the character Magwitch during these chapters. First off, Magwitch reveals to Pip that he is Pip's benefactor. I thought it was a nice twist to the plot because I never would have guessed it. I was very shocked. Also, Magwitch tells us about his early life and about Compeyson. When I found out that Compeyson was the man who left Miss Havisham at the alter, and was the man who turned oh Magwitch I was impressed with Dickens job with tying all of these characters together. I also gained much more compassion for Magwitch when I found out that he was Pip's benefactor. I no longer thought of him as a crook. I found it interesting that Pip started to care so much about Magwitch towards the end of these chapters. Maybe this would be the turning point for Pip and his arrogance and superficiality.
I came to really like Magwich during these chapters and the effect he's having on Pip. Before Pip found out that Magwich was his benefactor, Pip only thought about himself and what he could do to make himself a gentleman. He forgot about Biddy and Joe and thought that they would embarrass him and were jealous of his success. When Magwwich turned out to be the benefactor (which was a really surprising plot twist)Pip was ashamed to think that a lowly convict and someone who was even lower than him in social status was his benefactor all along. He was embarrassed by Magwich's bad manners and the way he talked. I really hated Pip for this. Magwich had risked his life and worked hard to repay this little boy who had helped him and been kind to him when Magwich needed help, even if it was out of fear. But after a while with Magwich I was really happy that Pip finally learned to appreciate everything that Magwich had done for him and was actually concerned for someone else besides himself. I started to not hate Pip so much when he actually showed concern for Magwich's safety and considered staying with him after they would help him escape. Finally Pip is starting to not become so obsessed with social class. I really liked these chapters because everything started to tie back together nicely. The fact that Compeyson was Havisham's fiancee was a really big twist. After reading Magwich's past I really started to like him as a character and how tough of a life he had. He was more than just a criminal to Pip, and more as a fatherly figure who helped Pip realize that he's not the center of the universe. This was a big step for Pip in getting over his idea that he's better than his friends in Kent.
Through out the chapters of 40 through 47 Magwitch, and the rest of the characters views on him drastically changed due to new information revealed about him. As a reader, I discovered that Magwitch is actually the benefactor for Pip, this gives a complete different view on him, and allows Pip to trust him and confined in him more. It is also revealed that Magwitch is the father of Estella. I found this to be a unique twist to the story that I somewhat enjoyed! It was odd to think of Magwitch of such a different person from what I thought of him before. (Monica p.)
ReplyDeleteYes! So how does this define Pip's preconceptions of what it means to be a gentleman?
DeletePip has reverted back to being an ungrateful prat. It would make a modicum of sense if he hated Magwitch for being a convict, but no. Pip's reason for hating the man who changed his life and made him a gentleman: he's uncultured, and eats food like a commoner. That's the biggest piece of it. Not his criminal past, not his return to England, HE EATS FOOD WITH HIS KNIFE! HOW DARE HE! Really Pip, It's not like Pip was just as common; it's not like Joe, your old idol, was uncultured; it's not like the only reason you're cultured is his money! YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT! PIP MUST DIE!!! *Gets dragged off by men in white coats*
ReplyDelete~Oliver Stein
I agree. I can understand the snobbish, elitist attitude in the beginning of his "great expectations", where his head swells so full of hot air it isn't possible for him to think clearly, but he has spent around twenty chapters, several years in book timeline, becoming more humble because of the Pocket family's influence, learning to be more polite, etcetera, then he suffer's from a minor shock which takes most of the helium under the American Great Plains and abruptly deposits it into the hypercritical faction of his thoughts. A most unbecoming change.
DeleteAlbeit he does act a bit nicer in the chapters 46/47, really Pip.
ReplyDelete~Oliver Stein
Magwitch has surprisingly gained my sympathy through the chapters 40-47. Due to Magwitch being revealed as Pip's benefactor it caused me to gain total respect for him. Although Magwitch still is a criminal and got the money through stealing it was an extreamely kind thing to do to give all the moeny to Pip. Not only did I gain his respect but, through the information given that Magwitch is Estella's father, it created a soft spot in my heart for Magwitch. I felt as if Miss Havisham didn't desserve to toxicate Estella's brain and that if Estella had been reaised by Magwitch, life would have been a lot brighter for Estella. We can already see through the kind treatment Magwitch has shown towards Pip that if Magwitch had brought up Estella, she would have had Magwitch's love and care. Magwitch has been a total surprise of delightment for me and I truly enjoy him as a charecter now.
ReplyDelete-Kerry Schwartz
Throughout chapters 40-47 in Great Expectations Dickens has introduced a new character into the novel, Magwitch who is Pip’s secret benefactor. When Pip and Magwitch first met, Pip was definitely frightened by him just knowing that he is a convict and by what they experienced in the past together. However, as the novel continues Pip later on begins to care for Magwitch’s safety and protection once he finds out that Compeyson could possibly be after him. Even though Magwitch is stereotyped to be convict/ criminal he still has a caring side to him because he gave Pip an education to become the gentlemen he is. This is how Magwitch paid Pip back for when Pip gave him food at the beginning of the novel. Also, based on what I have read I didn’t come to find that Magwitch was Estella’s father. However, Compeyson was Miss. Havishams fiancée that called off the wedding.
ReplyDelete-Dayna Weintraub
In chapter 40, Pip is introduced to his benefactor, which to his surprise the convict named “Magwitch”. Rather than being thank-full for his kind contributions, Pip is quite scared of the convict who is staying at his house. He is pleased by the fact that someone would provide him with money, but he’s astonished to discover that the convict, “Magwitch” was behind it, and not Miss Havisham. Pip soon becomes adjusted to his unusual habits, like keep a knife beside him while he is asleep. Pip acknowledges his intentions, and locks the door in fear of him hurting someone. Once Herbert returns from France, Pip is soon informed that Compeyson, is the other convict was the man who broke Miss Havisham’s heart. Pip soon develops sympathy for “Magwitch” since there is a likelihood of Compeyson trying to find him in England, or someone else trying to take his benefactor back to jail. As time passes them by, Pip begins to like Magwitch’s powerful personality, and is open to the idea along with his loyal friends Herbert and Mr.Wemmick, to protect him to the best of their ability. For example, once Magwitch is settled in Clara’s house Pip says, “I don’t want to leave you here.” This statement specifically addressed toward Magwitch, shows that Pip may have feared the fact that he is a violent individual, but once he had the opportunity to know him, he learns he’s not a bad guy.
ReplyDelete-and my reaction to these chapters is that Pip is truly being a gentlemen by helping his benefactor. Many people would fear a convict, which Pip initially did, but he gave him a chance. He took the courage to protect him, and through this, it shows that Pip is a caring person toward almost anyone. I think that Pip is doing a good deed for "Magwitch" even though he isn't the best guy to help.
ReplyDeleteMagwitch and Pip are definitely the more important characters in this section of the book. When Magwitch first reveals himself to Pip and tells of how he is the benefactor of his Great Expectations, he becomes cold and hateful of him. Given, he IS the convict who terrified him as a boy and by being the benefactor, his hopes for Estella's love are proven to be worthless, but Magwitch is the one who supplied him with all of the money that's turned Pip into a gentleman! I simply cannot believe that Pips shallowness and conceitedness have dropped to a level like this (even though he's been on a decline ever since he found out about the Great Expectations). Eventually, Pip DOES come around (finally!) to Magwitch and finds his humility, remorse and respect for his benefactor and stands by his side with all of the compassion and kindess that he used to have in the beginning of the novel. Also, I can't even start to comprehend what Miss Havisham did to Pip! Her revenge on men lead Pip on for so many years and she barely has anything to say to him when he confronts her about it! FINALLY! THE BOOK'S STARTING TO GET INTERESTING!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is revealed about Pip, (or really Magwitch) is that Magwitch is his secret benefactor, and not Miss Havisham. I was pretty disappointed, as was Pip to hear this. He also finds out, that Estella is to marry Drummel. This is a big shock to both Pip and Miss Havisham. I was rooting for Pip all along, and was disappointed to find out that she didn't chose Pip. When Pip found out about his secret benefactor at first he wanted nothing to do with Magwitch. But he came along in the novel and started to help Magwitch. You can see him turning in to a gentleman, and Magwitch's money was well spent.
ReplyDeletePip is going through many changes throughout these chapters. His world as he has known is for the past couple of years is turning upside down. He had believed for so long that Miss Havisham was his benefactor and Estella was his and it was the plan for her to be made his wife. Of course his life changed when he found out his assumptions were wrong, and the person responsible for making a gentleman out of him was an escaped convict. Pip was angry at Miss Havisham for leading him on to believe she was his benefactor. To make it all worse, not only Estella was not going to marry him, but she was going to marry Drummle. That really threw Pip over the edge, he hated Drummle. He knew that Drummle was not a good guy. Pip was also struck with fear of Magwitch's old partner, Compeyson. Compeyson was the other convict Pip met in the marshes when he was young. Coincidentally, Compeyson happened to be the man who conned Miss Havisham and left her on their wedding day. This fear deeped when Compeyson was seen by Wopsle sitting behind Pip at his play. Pip was very catious and always on the look out for him. The fact that Compeyson was sneaky enough to sit right behind him for an entire play and then get away with out him noticing, confirmed his fear. Pip is becoming very confused and afraid of the life he has been living.
ReplyDeleteA lot of information was told about the character Magwitch during these chapters. First off, Magwitch reveals to Pip that he is Pip's benefactor. I thought it was a nice twist to the plot because I never would have guessed it. I was very shocked. Also, Magwitch tells us about his early life and about Compeyson. When I found out that Compeyson was the man who left Miss Havisham at the alter, and was the man who turned oh Magwitch I was impressed with Dickens job with tying all of these characters together.
ReplyDeleteI also gained much more compassion for Magwitch when I found out that he was Pip's benefactor. I no longer thought of him as a crook.
I found it interesting that Pip started to care so much about Magwitch towards the end of these chapters. Maybe this would be the turning point for Pip and his arrogance and superficiality.
I came to really like Magwich during these chapters and the effect he's having on Pip. Before Pip found out that Magwich was his benefactor, Pip only thought about himself and what he could do to make himself a gentleman. He forgot about Biddy and Joe and thought that they would embarrass him and were jealous of his success. When Magwwich turned out to be the benefactor (which was a really surprising plot twist)Pip was ashamed to think that a lowly convict and someone who was even lower than him in social status was his benefactor all along. He was embarrassed by Magwich's bad manners and the way he talked. I really hated Pip for this. Magwich had risked his life and worked hard to repay this little boy who had helped him and been kind to him when Magwich needed help, even if it was out of fear. But after a while with Magwich I was really happy that Pip finally learned to appreciate everything that Magwich had done for him and was actually concerned for someone else besides himself. I started to not hate Pip so much when he actually showed concern for Magwich's safety and considered staying with him after they would help him escape. Finally Pip is starting to not become so obsessed with social class. I really liked these chapters because everything started to tie back together nicely. The fact that Compeyson was Havisham's fiancee was a really big twist. After reading Magwich's past I really started to like him as a character and how tough of a life he had. He was more than just a criminal to Pip, and more as a fatherly figure who helped Pip realize that he's not the center of the universe. This was a big step for Pip in getting over his idea that he's better than his friends in Kent.
ReplyDelete