A little while after the convict's death, Joe came to visit me. It was a great surprise, although I had expected him to treat me differently. He was not angry or ashamed of me at all; he treated me as if we were still back at the forge. When Joe left, I decided that I would return home and propose to Biddy. Much to my surprise, Joe and Biddy were already being married! I was upset at first, but my thoughts have gone back to Estella. Eleven years have passed, in which I have been living in the East with Herbert and Clara. I finally feel that I am happy, without the money and fame. Friends are all that matter to me now. I decided to come to visit my hometown and the Satis House. Who should I find there but Estella! I realized that it was not a coincidence, and that fate must have some part in this. I think that we will be together forever.
"Oh Joe, you break my heart! Look angry at me, Joe. Strike me, Joe. Tell me of my ingratitude. Don't be so good to me!"
-Pip reacting to Joe's kindness, page 493
"I took her hand in mine, and we went out of the ruined place; and, as the morning mists had risen long ago when I first left the forge, so, the evening mists were rising now, and in all the broad expanse of tranquil light they showed to me, I saw no shadow of another parting from her."
-Pip and Estella, happily ever after, page 516
I think that this blog closes up the changes in Pip's character. He recognizes his mistakes, but also realizes he has amazing friends. I also love the quote that you used with Joe and Pip. That is the common reaction - to expect the worst reaction, to almost want to get what he thought he deserved. Awesome interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Jacie said and I think that this shows that who Pip wanted to be is more important than what he wanted to be. He wanted to be a gentleman and he was, but he was not truly happy until he gave all of this up in order to become the person he wanted to be. Now Pip finally has his happy ending. We think.
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