Page 162 - DENG404_FICTION

Fiction

Notes Trabb boy who makes fun of Pip, imitating the snobbish way he walks and barking out,
“Don’t know yah!” to onlookers.

Did u know? Pip returns to London and talks to Herbert about Estella. Herbert himself
reveals that he is in love with a woman named Clara, though it must be
kept secret because his mother would think he was marrying “below station.”

Analysis

Although Pip continues to make decisions based on how he thinks society wants him to act
— not going to see Joe and Biddy while he is home — we recognize the fact that he feels guilt
and shame about these same decisions. Unlike Estella, Pip seems to wear his guilt on his
sleeve, but his guilt shows him to have a conscience at least. Dickens uses guilt in Pip — who
seems to be the only one in the novel who experiences it — to signal moments when Pip feels
himself acting against his nature.
The Trabb boy’s pranks nail Pip’s shame right on the head, and his antics reflect what is going
on in Pip’s conscious. Pip feels he has become a parody, a proud peacock who “doesn’t know
yah.” At the same time, Pip confesses to Herbert that he cannot let it go. He desires Estella
deeply and can’t seem to shake her. As long as he tries to be the person that Estella — and
society — want, he will be acting against his nature.

Part II: Chapter 12

Herbert and Pip go to see Wopsle in Hamlet, which turns out to be a horrible piece of theater,
but a very humorous evening nonetheless because of the crowd’s wisecracks. They invite
Wopsle home for dinner and listen to him rant about his performance.

Analysis
Dickens presents a light hearted critique of overacted theater in this chapter. Wopsle’s Hamlet
is laugh-out-loud comedy. Dickens was an actor and a producer of theatrical productions
himself, and there is no doubt he was probably targeting certain actors that he knew personally
in this parody.

Part II: Chapter 13
Pip receives a note from Estella that she is coming to London. She asks if he will meet her at
the carriage stop.
While waiting for the carriage, Pip meets Wemmick who is on his way to Newgate prison to
conduct some business. The prisoners are friendly with Wemmick, even offering to send him
presents before their executions.
As Pip returns to wait for Estella, he wonders at the fact that things associated with the
criminal element have strangely intercepted his life at various times, starting with the convict
at the beginning of the story. He feels as if the stain of criminality is still on him from his visit
to Newgate prison and how that contrasts with the beautiful Estella.
As the carriage pulls up, Pip once again sees a familiar expression in Estella’s face, but cannot
place it.

156 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY