Morality In Lloyd Jones Great Expectations

Morality is a necessary aspect of personality. Beliefs about the difference between right and wrong often define one’s daily behaviour.Characters, especially in novels, tend to display their ideas of morality, and often develop a sense of ethical responsibility that ultimately defines their personality. Lloyd Jones’ novel, Mister Pip, follows the lives of the people of Bougainville Island through difficult times. A raging war on the island has resulted in a blockade, leaving the villagers completely isolated. While the villagers are alienated from the outside world, they become a close knit community supported by the intense morality of its members. Despite their isolation, the Bougainvilleans maintain life on the island throughout difficult circumstances because of their

morality, as evident in the villagers’ sense of community, Mr. Watts’ impact on the children and Dolores’ unwavering beliefs.
As the villagers maintain a sense of community by aiding each other in times of need, they display compassion that sustains their positivity on the desolate island.

In the beginning of the novel, the school is closed as a result of the war, leaving the children to do as they please. A man from the island, Pop Eye, or Mr. Watts, volunteers to “teach [the] kids” (Jones 14) Although Mr. Watts is not a qualified teacher, nor a highly regarded man on the island due to his racial differences, he steps up and teaches the children when nobody else will. Mr. Watts’ willingness to teach the children learn provides an example of compassion, resulting in the perpetuation of the children’s education. The Bougainvillean men who have joined together to fight against the redskins are called rambos. They are not well viewed in the village as they have a tendency to become insane after living in the jungle for long periods of time. When a rambo named Sam stumbles into the village with multiple bullet wounds, Mr. Watts and another island man, Mr. Masoi, immediately help him. Matilda, the narrator and protagonist, states that “once [Mr. Watts] saw Sam he handed the rest of his banana to me, and he knelt down by him… [H]e rested

Sam’s head back and fit a piece of wood into [Sam’s] mouth and nodded at [Mr. Masoi] to start hacking” (81). Even though Sam’s group is not supported by the villagers, the men understand that his wounds demand remedy. Mr. Watts’ and Mr. Masoi’s sense of altruism are displayed through their immediate actions to help Sam maintains the village’s sense of community through dire circumstances. Mr. Watts’ wife, Grace, has the privilege of visiting Australia in her youth, an opportunity that most other islanders never experience. When she returns, her personality is different and the villagers are let down, creating a separation between them. However, when Grace dies, the villagers are supportive and empathetic towards Mr. Watts. As the villagers share stories of Grace’s childhood, Matilda explains, “It was like adding kindling to a fire. We wanted to keep that thin smile on [Mr. Watts’] pale face” (143). Although the villagers did not communicate with Grace in the later years of her life, they still comfort Mr. Watts as he grieves over her death. By sharing memories with which Mr. Watts is not familiar, the village’s sense of compassion is displayed. As the villagers support each other in times of need as well as aid others who are not a part of their current community, they are compassionate, a key concept in being moral, allowing them to live profitably on the island.
Mr. Watts’ strong morals have a significant impact on the children, teaching them many imperative lessons that lead to character development. Mr. Watts was raised in Australia and is the only remaining white man on Bougainville Island. Due to his extensive education in comparison to that of the islanders, he volunteers to teach the children, but not before stating, “I am no teacher, but I will do my best. That’s my promise to you children” (18). Mr. Watts knows that he is not a qualified teacher, although he is the most suited for the job. Mr. Watts knows that it is up to him to educate the children and his motivation derived from his sense of duty allows him to do just that. Due to his Australian background, Mr. Watts has many world views that the children have yet to develop. As a result of this, the children do not always grasp concepts about which Mr. Watts speaks. When Mr. Watts makes reference to a “gentleman”, the children are confused (53). By teaching the concept of being a gentleman, Mr. Watts expresses his beliefs about morality and being a naturally good natured person, leading the children to believe that the definition of a gentleman is being a “moral person”, influencing them to be cordial (210). Another example of Mr. Watts’ influence on the children happens when Daniel, a Bougainvillean child, tells the redskin soldiers about Pip, who is a fictional character. When he cannot be brought to the redskins, Mr. Watts takes the blame, ultimately sacrificing his own life for those of the villagers (245). This has an influence on the children as they realize that Mr. Watts’ sense of duty has saved them from slaughter. Mr. Watts greatly impacts the children by demonstrating his sense of duty, and although Mr. Watts is dead, as the children realize what it is to be moral, they sustain life on Bougainville island.
Dolores’ unwavering beliefs allow her to stand up for others and live a satisfying life. Many of Dolores’ views and beliefs are derived from the Bible. Dolores believes that the children must “[P]ack the teachings of the Good Book into [their] person[s]” (78). As there is little variety of beliefs on the island due to its isolation, Dolores turns to Christianity, helping her to endure difficulties, then sharing her support system with the children. As situations on the island deteriorate, Dolores relies more heavily on the Bible, believing that it is her saviour in the hard time. She forces her beliefs upon the children while speaking to Matilda’s class. After listening to a story about the devil, Matilda explains, “[Dolores] was so eager for us to know what she knew” (86). Dolores’ recount of the story enforces and exposes her strong beliefs, pushing them upon the children. Her passion for the Bible results in her attempt to pass her knowledge onto others. The redskins raid the village many times in search of a man who, unbeknownst to them, is fictitious. When Mr. Watts tells the soldiers that he is the creator of this character, but cannot produce the book, he is brutally murdered. Subsequently, Dolores stands up for Mr. Watts, saying, “Sir. I saw your man chop up the white man. He was a good man. I am here as God’s witness”(205). Dolores believes that it is her moral duty to stand up for the innocent man who has just been slain. Although this results in her own death, Dolores’ strong ideas encourage her to stand up for Mr. Watts, presenting herself as “God’s witness”, displaying her unwavering moral beliefs. As Dolores shares her beliefs with others and supports those she believes to be innocent, she is able to remain true to herself and her faith.
The villagers coming together as a community, Mr. Watts’ influence on the children and Dolores’ steadfast beliefs exhibit the morality that exists on Bougainville island, allowing the villagers to sustain life through harsh conditions. The villagers compassion is displayed through their altruism, no matter the situation. Mr. Watts’ sense of duty impacts the children, inspiring them to be better, moral people. Dolores’ Bible derived beliefs lead her to make decisions and tell stories that she believes display morality. Morality in literature, especially in books such as Mister Pip have a great effect on the reader. People often learn by example, and literature containing morality provides an example for people to follow. Morality is defined as being and doing what one believes is right, no matter the situation. It is crucial that people recognize this and by staying true to oneself, individuals will have an influence on the world today.