Typically, when you think of criminals, you think "bad
guys." In Great Expectations, however, it isn't that
straightforward. Yes, there are criminals who fit the typical mold; consider the nasty
Compeyson, who corrupts Miss Havisham's fiance and fights with Magwitch throughout the
entire novel. He is a pretty bad guy who manipulates and connives other people, not
caring about the damage that he causes. So, he fits the mold of a "typical criminal"
pretty well.
However, Dickens presents Magwitch in a much
different light. At the beginning of the novel, and even for most of the novel itself,
we think he is a terrifying character who bullied a little boy into helping him to
escape. He is uncouth, uneducated, mean, frightening and possibly very dangerous and
violent. This is all pretty scary, and as presented through the young Pip's eyes, we
see him as a total villian. Dickens, however, doesn't let it rest at that. Come to find
out, Magwitch is more of a victim of circumstance, played by the more conniving
Compeyson, and fallen onto hard times. He has been used by Compeyson, and been an
unfortunate pawn in his criminal strategies. Also, as he is banished and works hard to
supply Pip's fortune, we learn that he is a principled, hard worker who wants a better
life for someone who was kind to him. Magwitch, it turns out, is generous, gracious,
kind and incredibly driven and motived. Those elements do not fit the stereotypical
criminal profile. Dickens takes our assumptions of criminals, and says, "Hey--don't
judge until you know the entire story." He often does that with characters, not just
criminals.
Arthur is another example of someone we boo as a
villian, but who is really just a guy who got manipulated into a scheme, and dies
haunted by his actions, regretting what he did. He was a willing player at first, but
his morals get the better of him. Again, not typical criminal behavior
there.
I hope that those thoughts help a bit; good
luck!
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