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If only Pip had known of George Washington...
Pip is not a very gifted liar when it comes to the happenings at Miss Havisham's. What makes his story believable to Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook? More importantly, what does this belief in Pip's story tell us about these two characters?
What does Joe's reaction to Pip's lies tell us about Joe?
Pip is really an "oncommon" thinker for his age, as evidenced by his philosophy on omitting any one day from your life. Have you ever wished a day undone? If you could do that day over, what would it look like? How would that have possibly affected the days following that changed day?
9 comments:
I think the lies that Pip told to his sister and Mr. Pumblechoock were so believable because they really had no idea what to expect from Pip's time at Miss Havisham's. They knew that whatever is would be, it would be out of the ordinary, so when Pip tried to put it simply at first, they knew there had to be more to it than that. However, as long as what Pip said was a little cray-sounding, then I think they would have believed it. Like Mr. Pumblechook said, he had never even seen Miss Havisham, and neither had Mrs. Joe, so they were in a good place for Pip to take advantage of them. Joe is at first surprised and in disbelief that Pip would really lie like he did. But I think Joe realizes why Pip lied, even if he still doesn't condone it. He makes sure that Pip understands what he did was wrong and to not do it again, and then pretty much just moves on with his life. Joe is a little passive, but at the same time, he knows Pip is a good kid, so there is a need for some balance there. There are days that I can think back on where things happened that I wished, in the moment, hadn't happened. But looking back on if now, there aren't too many things in my life that I could really say if I had the chance to omit, I would. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that God puts us through hard situations because, through them, we learn something, and good things can come. I am not sure that I would want to risk taking a day of my life out, for fear I wouldn't learn something that I needed to know, or something good would never come because I didn't suffer through something I was supposed to suffer through.
I thought this was a fun chapter, and I really enjoyed it. I think the basis for it goes back to Mrs. Joe's words, "Ask no questions and you'll be told no lies." When Pip first mentions how curious his sister is about Miss Havisham, and how she starts asking so many questions, my mind immediately turned to that comment. Then, lo and behold, Pip comes out with these ridiculous lies. I agree with what Danielle said about the believability of Pip's stories; they're outrageous, but neither Mrs. Joe nor Mr. Pumblechook has ever seen Miss Havisham or how she lives. Because of this and her wealth, the two are in a position to believe that she does, in fact, live like how Pip depicted. The two are gullible and gossipy, and in Mr. Pumblechook's case, dishonest (since he just went along with what Pip said, adding his own verifications from time to time). As for Joe, he is a bit more level-headed about everything; when Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook come up with what would seem to be excessive gifts for Miss Havisham to give Pip, Joe is more realistic (and promptly told to leave). Then when it is revealed to him that the stories were lies, Joe goes easy on Pip and chastises him with what is essentially a slap on the wrist. Although Joe is quite passive, he continues to be a better role-model and parent to Pip, next to Mrs. Joe, who can't follow her own advice.
I agree with Lauren and thought this was one of the more humorous chapters in the novel so far. Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook fell into believing Pip's lies because they had never met Miss Havisham and had no idea what to expect from Pip's visit. Pip realizes he will not get away from the questioning with merely simple answers and lack of details. The more aggressive Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook were asking Pip questions seemed to make his lies even farther from reality. While they believe his story, it shows their desire for Pip to be inducted into that extravagant lifestyle. If that could happen they would both be a step closer to climbing the ladder of social acceptance, that both Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook yearn for. Later that night Pip admits his lies to Joe out of guilt. Joe was in disbelief that Pip would lie and warns him that in order to make something of yourself you must be honest and not cut corners, which seems to be foreshadowing oncoming events in the novel
A believable story is one that satisfies the ears of the listener(s). Pip's tale did just that, Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook were amazed by the story of the cooped up rich woman. Mrs. Joe's belief in these outlandish stories shows her desire to have great connections and something to be made of herself or her family because she is obviously not pleased with her life as a blacksmith's wife. Pumblechook's belief is probably due to his knowing that something is definetly odd in that household, and he acts as if he already knows much of what Pip says; he feels he cannot let this child one up him with an entrance into a world he was denied access to at the gate. I agree with the above statements about Joe's relaxed attitude toward the lies, but I also feel that is shows his belief in the good of people; he didn't let in easily and went on to find out if even the smallest portion of Pip's story was true . A day undone has been wished by all, and if it happend, the wisher's day could be made in the shade, but perhaps that persons original folly had benefitted another? Life is to be lived straight through and to be a lesson til the day you die.
I think Pips story is believable to Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook because they aren’t very down to earth. They seem like they are interested not in the real thing, but more social classes and peoples status throughout the town. Miss Havisham comes across as a very influential person with a high social status that many people would like to meet. Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook believe the story because they want Pip to be a well-to-do person throughout the town and they think playing with Miss Havisham will raise Pips chances. Joe’s reaction shows that he cares not about status but about truth and honesty. Unlike his wife and her relative, he wants Pip to be raised up doing the right thing as a commoner instead of lying and having a higher social status.
Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook believed Pip's story because they were expecting something spectacular to happen because of Miss Havisham's high social status. It is evident throughout the novel that both Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook deeply care about social status and how people are perceived. This is one of the many examples displaying just how morally incorrect Mrs. Joe and Pumblechook are. Joe, on the other hand, believes it because he trusts Pip. He is so surprised when he discovers that Pip lied. This shows the trust and love he has for Pip. Joe tells Pip that lying is wrong, and he says that the way to live your life is through honesty. Joe, although he is uneducated and not wealthy, proves to be the only morally correct character in the novel.
Though Pip may not be the most believable bluffer in the whole world, it was still very easy for Mr. Pumblechook and Mrs. Joe to believe his strange stories of flag twirling and swordfights. I think the two elder fools found it so is to blindly trust in Pip's stories because they desperately wanted to believe these far off tales of an eccentric hermit of a woman. Such bizarre stories would really give them something to gossip about. Joe believes because of his trust of Pip, but after learning of Pip's lies later, Joe yells at him for telling false stories. This possibly hindered the trust between the two friends as well.
i believe that every single one of us has done something that they would want to take back. We all have made mistakes, and even though some say you learn from them and that is what shapes who you are (I being someone who does believe that), I am sure we all have wondered what would happen if we could redo a day. I personally feel as though i have been blessed, seeing that almost all of the things i wish i could undo are sports related, but the longing for another shot still strongly sits silently skulking within my soul. (how about that ALLITERATION!!!) I feel as though the longing for a "do over" is within anyone who has ever tried and just came up short, or anyone who has truly given their all toward something. This feeling within Pip shows a strong sexy sitting squirrel singing songs while stupidly squatting steadfast with his secularly satanic character ( =D just seeing if you are reading these Earl). No but in all honest it helps to show the maturity within his character, which i thought was a nice touch to the story.
Mrs. Joe is angered when Pip does not give satisfactory answers to how is day went at the Havisham’s. However, Pip does not want to reveal what really happened; he also does not want to get into any further trouble, so he begins to create a few elaborate lies that fortunately satisfy both Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook. What makes Pip’s lies so believable to both Pumblechook and Mrs. Joe is the fact that neither of them have ever ventured through Miss. Havisham’s home. Because of her status, Pumblechook and Mrs. Joe assume that Pip’s lies of grandeur and carriages in bedrooms are true. This shows how the status in the society has brainwashed people like Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook. However, Joe is not the same, and he is truly shocked that Pip would lie. I think that Joe is not sucked into the “status quo” because of the fact that he has a respectable job as a blacksmith, something that the others do not. If there was a character to sympathize to, it would be Joe.
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