Victorian Fiction Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Free Essay Example, 2750 words

As the principal influence of Pip s younger days, Joe Gargery represents the simple, good-natured heart that Pip was born with and, as such, appears throughout the novel as a subtle reminder of what Pip is giving up when he tries to reforge himself in the image expected of a young gentleman. He was a mild, good-natured, sweet-tempered, easy-going, foolish, dear fellow a sort of Hercules in strength, and also in weakness (16). Like Pip, Joe has a strong heart capable of caring for everyone with whom he comes into contact and as faithful as an old dog once it becomes attached. It is also obvious where Pip gets his kindness from as Joe tells Magwitch upon his capture in the swamps and confession of theft from Mrs. Joe s kitchen, We don t know what you have done, but we wouldn t have you starved to death for it, poor miserable fellow-creature Would us, Pip? (45). He demonstrates a keen understanding of his wife, warning Pip about becoming a scholar under her nose as she would not be over partial to my being a scholar, but fear as I might rise. We will write a custom essay sample on Victorian Fiction: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page His appearance in London is humble and sweet, yet completely inappropriate to Pip s new station, as Joe indicates in an eloquent if rough speech: One man s a blacksmith and one s a whitesmith and one s a goldsmith, and one s a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come and must be met as they come. If there s been any fault at all today, it s mine. You and I is not two figures should be together in London; nor yet anywheres else but what is private, and be known, and understood among friends. It ain t that I am proud, but that I want to be right, as you shall never see me no more in these clothes. I m wrong with these clothes. I m wrong out of the forge, the kitchen or off the meshes. You won t find half so much fault in me if you think of me in my forge dress, with my hammer in my hand, or even my pipe. I m awful dull, but I hope I ve beat out something night the right of this at last. And so God bless you, dear old Pip, old chap (217).