Defining Magwitch in Great Expectations
Great Expectations was written in the era of Queen Victoria;
ironically a time of great progress and prosperity. Sadly, this was
not the case for all. Education benefited the rich. As a result, there
was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. The justice system was
harsh, favouring the rich, two hundred men and women were put before
the judge to be sentenced to death every week. It is clear that
Dickens reflects on the society of the time, and shows the unjust,
class divided society Magwitch was a part of and the need to reform a
legal system which treated this man so unjustly.
Knowing Magwitch grew up in this brutal society, it isn't surprising
that our initial impressions are built around the fact he is a
bloodthirsty villain and not very trustworthy. Initially though, he's
a coward, threatening Pip "keep still or I'll cut your throat" which
gives us the impression that he is an aggressive individual who is
willing to pick on a harmless child. His animal characteristics prove
that he wasn't brought up very well and that he can't have been
treated very well over the years, "he glared and growled" which likens
him to a dog. He resorts to cruelty by saying another convict is
hiding with him and then he threatens to kill Pip, "I'll cut your
throat". When Magwitch is first described as a man "who had been
soaked in water, and smothered in mood," we feel a little sympathy
towards him because he is obviously in poor health.
Although Magwitch is portrayed as an unpleasant man throughout the
text, there is a hint of kindness in his cold character and our
feelings about him begin to change. U...
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much more of a gentleman and he became far more understanding of Joe
and his origins. This is hardly the behaviour of a criminal.
It is obvious to everyone that Magwitch is in fact a victim of
society. Dickens intended us to have pity on Magwitch and to grow to
feel sorry for him. If he had had a decent childhood, then he might
have had a chance in life. He had a purpose in life, he just didn't
fulfil it. He is a criminal because as an orphan he had to steal to
survive and with no education jobs were unavailable so a life of crime
became a necessity. However, he has a strong sense of loyalty, justice
and compassion. If society had cared there is no doubt that he would
have succeeded. It is when Magwitch is placed alongside Compeyson that
the reality becomes clear. Magwitch is the victim, Compeyson the
criminal.
have gone unpunished by man, but he has to live with the memories of the crime he
revengeand one of secrecy. He was not driven by an anger at his ownsin, but
I believe there are two kinds of people in life; the kind that let things happen and the kind that make things happen. I prefer to think of myself as a person who writes her destiny not awaits it. So I ask myself, is it such a crime to want the best for you and your better half? Was it such a terrible deed, to lust after power and status like a young girl after a dashing beau. The victory, our status, my position, my power has fast become a reality, a reality which was being threatened by the growing suspicion of Banquo. It had to be done, his cut throat, seemed the only way, his murder the saviour of my triumph. But now see the error in my ways, the corruption in my thought. The guilt of one man’s blood was almost unbearable, the guilt of another is inescapable, growing, it is becoming vicious like a savage dog locked up waiting to be released. I am forced to bear it, alone I must I endu...
men for the wrong that was done to her by one man. She lives in her
Pip says he must stay with Magwitch in his time of need he says this
Wemmick provides a complicated, yet interesting separation of his home life and work life. His home and work lives are as different in physical appearances as they are in personality differences. Many of his home habits allow him to express his care and decency, which contrasts with his mechanical work which lacks good value. Wemmick dedicates himself to separating the two so that he may keep his virtues intact while he works in the filth of Newgate. Wemmick is alone in his success of separation when compared to others such as Jaggers and Pip. Such dedication to keeping good values alive gives Wemmick so much integrity that he immediately becomes a favorite character.
with the criminal and decided to go on a personal crusade to restore individualism to his world.
his duties to many people in the book. He has to fulfil a duty to
in my mind are all in chapter 3. I assume that this is because I can
...ontrol of his personal ambitions to benefit the whole or in Walter's case the family. Certainly it would be unfair for Walter give up his aspirations. The issue is whether Walter can distinguish between a fantasy of reality and a dream deferred.
As the protagonist becomes more aware of the world as he grows up, he changes his idealistic view on theft from a harmless activity to an activity that causes physical and emotion harm for himself and others. As the protagonist is swimming with his friends, he contemplates taking Mr. Wills’ melon. The protagonist thinks about what his actions might cause but eventually he justifies his theft by saying “it [was not] considered stealing to sneak into a man’s melon patch” and continues to say a loss of melons is expected (Deal 131). The protagonist perc...
This reality leads us to believe that over time he has become even more motivated to revenge his father's death, and find out who his true friends are.
" I half expected to see him drop down before my face and die of deadly cold"
which shows him to be a rogue or a fraudster; someone who can not be
The other scenario influencing the identification of purpose or assignment in life is circumstances. The circumstances are the situations one finds him or herself in either by choice or fate, foreseen or unforeseen. Some of the circumstances are poverty, oppression, disappointments and any setbacks you could think of. In this scenario, it is very easy to give up and walk away from your purpose or your destiny. Any of these situations often becomes a spring board for those who are mentally prepared, those who have fed their minds with positive thoughts. People who usually emerge from this scenario are mostly character proven, because they usually take time to shape their character by the circumstances they find themselves in. Nelson Mandela is an example of a man who discovered his purpose in life through circumstances. Nelson Mandela grew up in an oppressed system, so his leadership character was shaped by his experience, and that is why he was such a unique president. Even though he studied to become a lawyer, but his circumstance shaped him to be a liberator. His character was shaped to understand that oppression is evil, and that it was not fun being at the receiving end