Joe Gargery's Character Analysis
'...all(Dicken's characters), no matter how briefly sketched are real.(CLIFFS NOTES P.54).Charles Dickens has the ability to make his characters very close to human, if not human. Charles Dickens' novel, Great Expectations, is mainly based on a character named Pip who goes from 'rags' to 'riches'. Joe Gargery, Pip's brother-in-law, lives with Pip and Mrs. Joe in the marsh country. He is a blacksmith who doesn't make a lot of money but manages to stay a mild and good-natured man. But what causes Joe to stay so mild and good-natured throughout Pip's transformation? The truth can only be revealed through studying his relationship to Pip, his importance to the plot, and the theme he best represents.
When Pip's parents die, his sister decides to bring him up 'by the hand'(p.559). She has a very hard time with Pip, and in the future says, 'I'd never do it[bring Pip up] again!'(p.560). Then she marries Joe Gargery. Joe and Pip form this 'everlasting' relationship, mainly because they were both 'brought up by the hand'(p.559). Joe always looks out for Pip and helps Pip out. Mrs. Joe would never do this. For example, when Pip was coming back from the graveyard after his first encounter with the convict, he find out that Mrs. Joe had gone on a rampage with the tickler only by Joe telling him. When Mrs. Joe returns, she throws Pip at Joe and Joe guards Pip from any harm Mrs. Joe can do. Though these incidents, Joe develops a steady, everlasting relationship with Pip. When Pip receives word of his expectation, he also found out that in order to get his expectation and become a gentleman, he must go to London. Pip's reason for wanting to become a gentleman is mainly for Estella. He will do anything to impress Estella and win her heart. Pip knew he had to go if he were ever going to win Estella's heart. Joe had built up such a strong relationship with Pip that he didn't want anything to do with the obstruction of Pip's future. Another reason for Joe loving Pip is when Pip was
When Pip's parents die, his sister decides to bring him up 'by the hand'(p.559). She has a very hard time with Pip, and in the future says, 'I'd never do it[bring Pip up] again!'(p.560). Then she marries Joe Gargery. Joe and Pip form this 'everlasting' relationship, mainly because they were both 'brought up by the hand'(p.559). Joe always looks out for Pip and helps Pip out. Mrs. Joe would never do this. For example, when Pip was coming back from the graveyard after his first encounter with the convict, he find out that Mrs. Joe had gone on a rampage with the tickler only by Joe telling him. When Mrs. Joe returns, she throws Pip at Joe and Joe guards Pip from any harm Mrs. Joe can do. Though these incidents, Joe develops a steady, everlasting relationship with Pip. When Pip receives word of his expectation, he also found out that in order to get his expectation and become a gentleman, he must go to London. Pip's reason for wanting to become a gentleman is mainly for Estella. He will do anything to impress Estella and win her heart. Pip knew he had to go if he were ever going to win Estella's heart. Joe had built up such a strong relationship with Pip that he didn't want anything to do with the obstruction of Pip's future. Another reason for Joe loving Pip is when Pip was