Here, we examine the various species of personality that appear in this forty-sixth episode of Dickens' Great Expectations.
Pip (Philip Pirrip by birth) - Once a young boy, the now emerging adult is rescued from poverty by a secret benefactor and taken to London to become a gentleman. He believes his benefactor to be the elegant, curious, and torturous Miss Havisham; and has the fantasy that she will give him Estella's hand in marriage after making him worthy to Estella. After some time, it is revealed to him that his benefactor is not Miss Havisham, but it is the convict (alias Abel Magwitch) he met at the marshes in Kent. To his dismay, he realizes that he can never have Estella and is mad that his benefactor is the convict. He is then told that an old enemy of Magwitch (whom we find out to be Compeyson, the other convict that was attacked by Magwitch early on in the book) is in pursuit of him and that Magwitch needs to escape as soon as possible. He decides to part ways with him after he helps him escape, but during this episode begins to feel concern for Magwitch's safety. He begins to reconsider his decision about parting ways with Magwitch, and even thinks about staying with him after the escape.
Herbert Pocket (earlier known as the “pale young gentleman”) - Herbert and Pip’s relationship starts off by fighting: Herbert challenges Pip to a gentlemanly fight (there are rules and everything), which Pip easily wins. After Pip moves to London he is introduced to Herbert and realizes that he was same young boy he fought with as a child. They instantly become best friends and live together. While living together, Herbert teaches Pip manners and how to become a gentleman. After the benefactor’s identity is revealed, Herbert gives Pip advice on what he should do. Herbert helps Pip hide the Convict at Clara’s residence and helps him escape on the river.
Clara Barley - Clara is Herbert Pocket's love and fiancée. She lives at Mill Pond Bank at a boarding house with her alcoholic father (a retired ship's purser), whom she tends to day and night. She helps Herbert and Pip hide Magwitch at her residence until they can manage to help him escape.
Abel Magwitch (alias Provis, Mr. Campbell) - Magwitch — the thief with a heart of gold — becomes Pip’s benefactor. His first memory is of stealing turnips, and it never really gets better. He meets Pip, then a child, as he wanders the marshes in Kent, when he commands Pip to get him food and a file. He is eventually shipped off to Australia, where England sent its convicts at the time, and earns money to make Pip a gentleman. He keeps this a secret from Pip until he sneaks back to London and tells Pip himself. Pip is awed that Magwitch is his benefactor and treats him coldly. Eventually, Pip finds out that Compeyson, an old enemy of Magwitch, is in pursuit of him and realizes that he needs to help Magwitch escape London.
Mr. Bill Barley (alias Gruffandgrim [given by Herbert Pocket]) - Mr. Barley is Clara’s desperately and seemingly irreparably alcoholic father whom she tends to day and night. He is constantly intoxicated, and makes ridiculous remarks about himself, generally under his breath, while using the telescope in his room to pan across his view of the river. He also has a signature of stomping through the floorboards on the upper floor as a call for Clara to tend to him and supply his liver and gout with more booze.
Compeyson (not actually present) - The convict upon whom murder was attempted by Magwitch, Compeyson was the other thief arrested when both he and Magwitch were tried. However, with his gentlemanly manners, he was able to win a less severe sentence and this became a source of revenge for Magwitch (when he “gave the Hulks its gentleman” back).
No comments:
Post a Comment