In Chapter XVIII of Great
Expectations, Pip is visited by Mr. Jaggers, whom he recognizes from his
being at Miss Havisham's once. The barrister tells Pip that he has "Great
Expectations. Then, he sets down the stipulations to this announcement and offers to
pay Joe Gargery for Pip to be released from his
apprenticeship.
After Mr. Jaggers departs, Joe sits
pensively before the fire with Pip joining him:
The more I looked into the glowing coals, the
more incapable I became of looking at Joe; the longer the silence lasted, the more
unable I felt to speak.
When
Pip finally asks Joe if he has told Biddy of his fortune, Joe replies that he left this
to Pip. But Pip insists, so Joe tells Biddy who congratulates him, but, like Joe, has
some sadness in her voice. Then, Pip says that he will order his new clothes and keep
them at the shop of Trabb, the tailor. There he will change before taking the coach to
London so that he will not be stared at--"such a coarse and common business--that I
couldn't bear myself." But, despite Pip's airs, Biddy asks him if he would not
"showing" himself to Mr. Gargery and his sister and her, after all. To this, Pip
agrees, but with some resentment. Biddy and Joe go outside while Pip goes into his
little room which now appears as
a mean little room that I should soon be parted
from and raised above
forever.
As he raises his
window, Pip espies Joe outside; Biddy brings him a pipe and lights it for
him
He never
smoked so late, and it seemed to hint to me that he wanted comforting, for some reason
or other. I drew away from the window...feeling it very sorrowful and
strange that this first night of my bright fortunes should be the loneliest I had ever
know.I put my light out and crept into bed;
and it was an uneasy bed now, and I never slept the old sound sleep in it
any
more.
Despite
his good fortune, Pip considers how lonely he will be
without his father-figure, Joe, whom he loves and who loves him dearly. Also, Pip is
sorry for the ingratitude that he has shown Joe, who has
released Pip from his apprenticeship and who merely wants to see Pip dressed as a
gentleman before he parts.
No comments:
Post a Comment