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Pip starts with commentary about the variety of people he is surrounded by. What traits does he seem to dislike? What does he tend to like in other people?
Why do you think Jaggers invites thieves to try and rob his home?
Wemmick's home sounds like a mini-castle, fortified with food and a cannon. Why do you think he's so insistent on keeping work at work and home at home?
What do you find interesting about Wemmick's collection of oddities?
12 comments:
When Pip is describing Drummle he portrays a tone of dislike and right away we know that they are going to be opposites. Drummle is stubborn, proud, and reserved and that seems to make Pip feel uneasy about him. Pip then describes Startop as gentle and soft like his mother and claims he naturally took a liking to him. Pip seems to like to be around weaker people, which I would attribute to him being raised by his very strong sister. We also know that Jagger's is a very strong and proud man. He has many lavish things but never locks his door? Stupid but I think it's a challenge he gives to people. He has a very cocky attitude and feels like no one can be better then him which provokes this "challenge". Jagger seems to be a very odd character with many quirks.
Jaggers invites theives to try and rob his home because there is no way on earth that anyone in their right mind would attempt it. Jaggers is a cocky person with the goods to back it up; he is obviously an extremely skilled lawyer who could put away anybody who wronged him. Also, I get the feeling that Jaggers would eitehr know what is happening when it happened or who did it, or both. He seems to know more than anybody else does, and he's confident about it. Wemmick's work at work and home at home attitude is very smart. Work is hectic and busy and dull and dirty working with criminals and a man who could scare even the most innocent man; while his home life is pleasant and routine and compassionate with the Aged there for company. Anyone who would sacrifice the nice little home life Wemmick has be bringing back work is insane.
Jaggers and Wemmick are both so bizarre! Everybody knows by now that Jaggers is a winning lawyer. He dares people to rob him probably because he feels he would get more out of it than the robber would. Jaggers would take the robber to court and win over everything he possibly can from that robber. Wemmick seems to be a very precautionary character, with he "portable property" and castle-home. It's as if he is preparing for the worst, carrying his property about with him in case he might ever need to leave in a hurry. His property is also always close to him, which makes it harder to steal or destroy. He keeps his work and his home seperate, as if he does not want to bring any bad or harmful things that may result from his business into his home. The whole castle aspect of his house is like an extra precaution to protect and seperate his home from potentially harmful situations.
The fact that Jaggers dares criminals to enter his house and that they don't dare attempt it shows the reader alot about his character. He has created himself in the image immortal, vengeful being, and not only does he believe that his power cannot be touched, but those around him seem to believe it as well. Jaggers putting this dare out into chaotic London is nothing but a chance to show off his great power.
When first introduced to Wemmick, I will admitt that I was not fond of the seemingly robotic man, but in this chapter the reader sees a side of him that he purposely keeps apart from his work life. Wemmick softens as he reaches the place he calls home, and the fairytale-like appearance of it cannot be ignored. His home serves as a getaway from the harsh realities of both his job and the london streets that remain just outside.
I find it very interesting, however, that his collection is filled with things that are seemingly work realated, described as "of a felonious character". Perhaps one's work influences his or her home life at a subconcious level.
Judging by the way Jaggers treats people, how they respond to him, and his court reputation, I think people are afraid to rob Jagger’s home. His skills as a lawyer have shown that he could win against anyone. By leaving his house open, he is playing mind games with anyone that would even think of robbing him. Jaggers knows that he could win against anyone, and the people know it too; therefore, he can leave his house open because they won’t rob him. Wemmick keeps work at work and home at home because he doesn’t want to mix his two lifestyles. Jaggers seems to have a ruthless way of doing things, proving so by washing his hands clean every day. I think Wemmick knows that work is something that is maybe a little dishonest and stressful, so by going home he can forget all the bad things that happened throughout the day.
Jaggers has quite an intimidating demeanor to almost all of those he comes in contact with. In addition to being a successful lawyer, his key personality trait seems to be his arrogance. When he invites the thieves to rob his home he seeems to just dare them to try. Jaggers is so confident that such a thing can't be done he doesn't give the challenge a second thought. Wemmick is definitely an interesting fellow, with two complete personalities. At work he is a workaholic cynic who seems to be concerned with only 'portable property'. At his home whatever he is care free and friendly. Possibly he doesn't want to mix work-life and house-life because he can't be successful at both with only half of each personality. To do his commit to his job fully it is important for him to to have such a hardened personality. Likewise to care for his Aged Parent he must be a little more flexible and loving.
As said above, Jaggers is an arrogant character. He doesn't lock his doors because he wants to meet the guy who has the courage to do so. He is so respected around the community that it is extremely unlikely that he will in fact get robbed. He has made himself seem immortal to the community and himself. Wemmick has created a balance between his work-life and home-life. In work he feels that he has to be commanding and focused. When he's at home he allows himself to be an "Aged Parent" laid back and friendly. It seems as if he is putting on a mask for those at work. It's as if you want to be successful and respected in the workplace you must be cold and assertive. Wemmick was seemed to master this ability to balance two separate personalities.
I noticed right away that Pip does not like Drummle because he seemed suspicious and too selfish. On the other hand, Pip liked Startop because his personality was much more gentle than Drummle's. Jaggers invites thieves to his home because he sees it as a game. He knows that nobody in their right mind would ever mess with his house because he is the best lawyer in town. He keeps his doors unlocked as somewhat of a challenge for anyone stupid enough to rob him.
Jaggers is not afraid of thieves for a few reasons. For one, as Pip is told by Wemmick, Jaggers does not have any actual silver his utensils are made out of Britannia metal which means the thieves would not end up with anything of much worth. Also Jaggers knows that his reputation as a lawyer will deter anyone from robbing him and if anyone did he is sure that he would be able to get everything that was stolen back and much more. Additionally this audaciousness further increases his status. I think Wemmick keeps home and work separate because if he was as laid back at work as he is at home he probably would not do his job as well.
Jaggers seems like a devoted man, as in completely devoted to his work. He has no family, takes no full break from work, and utilizes his cross-examination skills both inside and outside the courthouse. He's a scary man because he is so devoted, and because of that a great lawyer. This would explain why Jaggers invites thieves to rob his home -- he is aware of his capabilities as a lawyer, and utilizes reverse psychology in order to scare robbers out of his house. For all this strength, however, perhaps there is an underlying weakness to this iron man.
Pip seems to like traits that describe people as being comforting and social. He likes Startop because of his "woman's delicacy," and he likes Herbert because of his intimate companionship. Drummle is decribed as reserved and suspicious, traits Pip obviously doesn't care for. Wemmick's home surprised me, because he seems so serious and business-like at work. It's kind of like a little playground amidst his stoic lifestyle at work.
I need help! I'm in eight grade and I have to write a five paragraph thesis/analytical essay on Wemmick. I was thinking about doing something about Wemmick's multiple personalities, but I'm not sure how to make an argument about it for the thesis. It also has to relate to a thematic idea in the novel.
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