Great Expectations

1. Great Expectations Chapters 47 - 58

2. Chapter 47: Dining with Jaggers (200) “Molly, Molly, Molly… How slow you are today! … A certain action of her fingers as she spoke arrested my attention. The actions of her fingers was like the action of knitting. She stood looking at her master… Surely, I had seen exactly such eyes and such hands on a memorable occasion very lately!” Review (182) “Miss Havisham continued to look steadily at me. I could see in the action of Estella’s fingers as they worked that she attended to what I said—but she did not look up.” To what conclusion does Pip arrive? (201) Wemmick gives Molly’s story. A “wild beast tamed.”

3. Chapter 49: Magwitch’s “Wife” (207) Pip learns that Magwitch was once involved with a young, jealous woman. She was tried for murdering a larger, older woman on account of her jealousy. She allegedly killed this woman inside of a barn. She had also tried to kill her young child ( a little girl). Jaggers defended her; she was acquitted. It was for this reason that Magwitch became acquainted with Jaggers. Magwitch believes that his “wife” killed his child as well… Pip concludes that Magwitch is Estella’s father.

4. Chapter Fifty-One Pip makes arrangements for Herbert’s future with Miss Skiffins’ brother and Clarrikers (Herbert’s place of business). Pip receives a letter from Wemmick telling him that he might try to get Magwitch out of England soon. Herbert devises a plan to bring Startop with them in that he is a skilled rower.

5. 51: A mysterious note (213) If you are not afraid to come to the old marshes tonight or tomorrow night at nine, and to come to the little sluice house…regarding your Uncle Provis…You must come alone. Pip takes the next coach to the marshes and hears his own story from the innkeeper. The rumor now claims that Pumblechook was Pip’s earliest benefactor (214).

6. 53: Magwitch’s Escape (219) “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold—when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” Pip, Herbert, and Startop have prepared to escape with Magwitch on this day. Their plan is to sail with the tide throughout the bulk of the day, and get far enough by night time so that they could easily find a place to stay when it became dark.

7. 53: The Four-Oared Galley! (221-222) Pip, Herbert, Startop, and Magwitch find a place to stay for the night. The jack at the tavern asks Pip that evening if they had seen a “four-oared galley” (large rowboat) that day. Four-Oared galley = Customs officers/ police!

8. 53: Four –Oared Galley Overnight, Pip wakes up and looks out of the window. He sees two men looking inside of his boat. He is really worried, but doesn’t want to wake Herbert and the others in that they had such a grueling journey the day before. The next morning, Pip and Magwitch get their things together and prepare to board the steamer that will take them to Hamburg. This is when they discover that a boat is really following them!

9. 53: Four –Oared Galley The boat stops Pip and calls out to Magwitch as a “returned transport.” (223) The boats ram together with the force of the tide. Pip recognizes Compeyson as the other convict from years ago. Magwitch discovers Compeyson in the boat, reaches across to try and grab him, and both men fall into the sea.

10. 53:Magwitch Magwitch re-surfaces a few minutes later with a severe cut in the head and a wound in the chest that makes breathing difficult for him. Compeyson is lost at sea. (225-226)

11. 54: Magwitch’s Trial (226) Compeyson had died on the water, so there was no one to give any evidence against Magwitch. Also, he was too ill for them to apprehend or really sentence. It was clear that his wounds were fatal. Jaggers is angry with Pip because Pip made no effort to gain any of Magwitch’s “portable property.” Magwitch’s money will go to the crown. Compeyson’s body turns up a few week later. Inside of his pockets is some paperwork that has the details of Magwitch’s money / property. Compeyson must have believed that he would inherit Magwitch’s money for ratting him out.