Thursday, November 5, 2015

What is Pip's attitude toward Provis when he first enters Pip's apartment in chapter 39 of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens?

Chapter 39 is undoubtedly one of the most powerful
chapters in Dickens's Great Expectations.  As the chapter opens,
Pip, alone in his apartment, is reading; outside, a terrible storm is raging that has
ripped roofs off of buildings, caused shipwrecks, and uprooted
trees. 


In the middle of the storm, Pip hears footsteps and
goes to his door.  Here, Dickens creates suspense, as the visitor, dressed as a "voyager
by sea," enters and wishes to speak to Pip. Pip does not attempt to make the stranger
feel welcome; instead, he asks if the man wishes to come in "inhospitably," and notes
that he resented the manner in which the man had a "bright and gratified recognition" of
Pip.  When the convict reaches out for Pip's hands, Pip
recoils.


In time, the convict reveals his identity, and
Pip's response is one of utter disgust.  He instructs the convict to "keep off!" and
remains standing "not to disguise that I wished him
gone." 


Then, when the convict tells Pip that he is Pip's
benefactor, Pip literally almost faints:


readability="13">

I could not have spoken one word, though it had
been to save my life.  I stood, with a hand on the chair-back and a hand on my breast,
where I seemed to be suffocating--I stood so, looking wildly at him, until I grasped at
the chair, when the room began to surge and
turn.



The convict, who is
both proud and elated to announce himself as Pip's benefactor, assumes Pip's reaction is
just one of shock, and says, "Don't you mind talking, Pip...you ain't looked slowly
forward to this as I have."  And finally, when Pip is able to respond, his question is,
"Was there no one else?"


Obviously, Pip is asking whether
or not Miss Havisham had any role at all in funding Pip's education.  When the convict
says no, all Pip can think of is Estella.  In one evening, Pip's entire life, as he had
understood it, is changed:


readability="10">

Miss Havisham's intentions towards me, all a
mere dream; Estella not desined for me; I only suffered in Satis House as a convenience,
a sting for the greedy relations, a model with a mechanical heart to practise on when no
other practice was at
hand.



Finally, Pip reflects
on his behavior, and understands the hurt he has caused Joe and Biddy.  The chapter ends
with Pip referring to the convict as a "dreadful burden."

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