Page 171 - DENG404_FICTION

Unit 14: Great Expectations: Detailed Study of Text-III

a much worse life than he — Joe and Biddy, Magwitch himself, Wemmick and Jaggers, Herbert Notes
and the rest of the Pockets — they do not seem to demonstrate the same unhappiness with
their lot in life. Magwitch, his life in danger, seems strangely happy to be in the company of
Pip, a person he had met under dire circumstances for just a few moments many years before.
Only Pip has yet to reach within himself to find a happiness that neither society, nor romantic
concepts of home, can offer him.

Part III: Chapter 3

Magwitch tells them the story of his life. From a very young age, he was alone and got into
trouble. Mostly, he stole out of hunger and cold. At that same young age, he was impressed
with the fact that others referred to him as hard, as a criminal, and predicted that he would
spend his life in and out of jail. Indeed, his life ran along this very path.
In one of his brief stints actually out of jail, Magwitch met a young well-to-do gentleman
named Compeyson who “had the head of the devil.” Compeyson had his hand in everything
illegal: swindling, forgery, and other white collar crime. When Magwitch met him, Compeyson
was working with a half-crazed man called Arthur, who saw visions of a woman dressed all
in white, with a broken heart, who came to haunt him. On one of these haunts, Arthur gave
up his own ghost and died.
Compeyson then recruits Magwitch to do his dirty work and soon gets Magwitch into trouble
with the law. Both standing before the judge, Compeyson, being a gentleman, is given a lesser
sentence than Magwitch, a career criminal. Magwitch hates the man.
Herbert passes a note to Pip: “Young Havisham’s name was Arthur. Compeyson is the man
who professed to be Miss Havisham’s lover.”

Analysis

Previously non related story lines now come together and into focus. Magwitch worked with
the man who had jilted Miss Havisham on her wedding day. And Compeyson’s work horse
Arthur turns out to be Miss Havisham’s half brother who worked against her, haunted by her
until the end.
Magwitch hates Compeyson with a self-sacrificing vengeance, and yet the reason for his hatred
— that Compeyson was the mastermind behind the crimes yet received less of a sentence —
is tied to his sacrifice for Pip. Compeyson got a lighter sentence because he was considered
by society to be a gentleman. So Magwitch sets out on a life of sacrifice to provide the same
advantages for Pip. Magwitch both hates this societal label and accepts it, as is demonstrated
by his constant reference to himself as “low.” Indeed, Dickens seems to hint that Magwitch
may have been a much different man if people had not told him since a young age that he
would come to no good. And yet he wants to exploit the societal labeling by promoting Young
Pip into gentlemanhood.

Notes Magwitch, a sympathetic character, is a reflection of what Pip, or any of us, could
become if we take societal labels to heart.

Part III: Chapter 4

Pip finds out that Estella is at the Satis House and feels he needs to go back to visit both she
and Miss. Havisham.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 165