In Chapter 7 of Dickens's Great Expectations, Mrs. Joe returns from town and announces that "if this boy ain't grateful tonight, he never will be!" After some brief yet ridiculous banter with Joe, Mrs. Joe announces that Miss Havisham "wants this boy to go and play there."
As Miss Havisham is an "immensely rich and grim lady who lived in a large and dismal house barricaded against robbers, and who led a life of seclusion," Mrs. Joe is extremely excited that Miss Havisham has called for Pip to visit her house, because she thinks that "this boy's fortune may be made by going to Miss Havisham's." As Mrs. Joe is resentful for having to raise Pip, she is eager for him to be acquainted with someone rich, because Mrs. Joe thinks that she will be the recipient of money.
Obviously, this episode is the beginning of a complete change in Pip's life, as his experiences with Miss Havisham and Estella cause him to completely reject his "common" upbringing and desire to become a gentleman.
No comments:
Post a Comment