Chapter 59: The Ending Controversy

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Read this chapter carefully -- then read the first Connections story, "A Dickens of an Ending." Which ending to the novel do you believe is the ending that fits the story best? Why?

Chapter 58: Homecoming

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What is Pumblechook alluding to when he uses the word "prodigygality"? Is it an apt allusion to Pip's case?

What do you think would have happened if Pip would have told Joe about his "secondly" while they were in London?

Here is the part where it becomes crystal clear that this is a Bildungsroman. In what ways has Pip become a man and a true gentleman?

Chapter 57: Delirious

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Another masterful writing job by Dickens here, as he has Pip drifting in and out of consciousness. What exactly does Dickens do to make this so realistic?

Pip is in deep financial straits. How will he get out of debt without a job? Do you think this will force him to work for Herbert?

Awesome and humorous description her of Joe writing a letter...and note the positive descriptions of their walks and rides.

Joe feels guilty about not being able to stop Mrs. Joe and the tickler, and he feels even more guilty because his attempts to stop her caused Pip to get even worse beatings. Is this guilt justified?

So now we know what "secondly" meant. If you were Biddy, what would you say?

Chapter 56: The Verdict

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Thirty-two people were sentenced to death in one session. Thirty-two! This would be a great argument against the death penalty. What are your thoughts on that punishment? What does Dickens seem to think of it?

What can you point to in the story that made Pip change from wanting to desert Magwitch to never leaving his side until he was forced to?

Why did Pip wait so long to tell Magwitch about Estella?

Chapter 55: A Wedding, but No Funeral

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Why is Pip so concerned that Magwitch should never find out that Pip will never get his inheritance?

When asked to join Herbert in his business, Pip says "secondly." What is this second thought?

Why does Dickens put the wedding of Wemmick here (and by the way, it is a quite amusing trip to the altar, don't you think)?

Chapter 54: Getaway...Almost

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First, I love the description of March in the beginning...Dickens is spot-on here.

Pip tells Magwitch that he knows about enjoying freedom. Magwitch says Pip doesn't know what if feels like compared to him. Is there some similarity in their feelings of freedom? If so, what is the source of that feeling?

Pip says that Magwitch seems despondent. Though Magwitch denies this, what might be the cause of his looking despondent?

The capture scene would make for great movie action. Why was it so easy for Compeyson and the Custom House officials to catch them?

Why is Pip so devoted to Magwitch when he has basically abandoned Joe?

Chapter 53: Whoa! Pip Got Orlicked!

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That's right...I made up a new verb...Orlicked.

Orlick has some legitimate beefs with Pip. Which of these beefs seems to have hurt him the most? Why?

Orlick says Compeyson works for him now. Do you think this is actually the way it is?

What has happened to Orlick? How did he escape -- drunk -- from three able-bodied men?

Who could be Orlick's double?

Chapter 52: Startop? Really?

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We are on Chapter 52, and this is the only good thing Pip has done in his opinion...is that true?

After some thought, I've concluded that I wouldn't want to be in Herbert's shoes -- headed off to Arabia from London...sounds like an exile, not a business opportunity...

Startop? Seems like a pretty random reappearance. Is this a reach by Dickens, or masterful planning?

This is turning into a sort of mystery novel, full of intrigue...who do you think sent Pip the letter that brought him back home?

How long will it be before Pip feels remorse about Joe and Biddy and doesn't just do so in passing?

A note: Remember Miss Havisham's accident and the mention of Gravesend here...they will be part of an allusion in another novel we'll read this year...

Chapter 51: Taking Jaggers by Surprise

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The first paragraph leaves us with the same question that Pip has: What purpose is there for him to be so adamant in his pursuit of the truth behind Estella's parentage?

What is going on in the minds of Wemmick and Jaggers when Pip tells of having been to Wemmick's nice home and of Wemmick having an aged father?

Why do you think Jaggers is so surprised and bothered that Pip knows who Estella's father is?

Although there is "no admission", Jaggers clearly has a heart somewhere in that chest of his, at least where children are concerned. What do you think he means that when he saw Molly's violent nature creeping back in, he asserted "his power over her in the old way"?

Why are Jaggers and (more uncharacteristically) Wemmick so harsh towards Mike in his moment of weakness?

Is Jaggers right in his thoughts about keeping Estella's parentage a secret?

Chapter 50: Tying Up Some Loose Ends

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So...Compeyson jilted Miss Havisham...Molly and Magwitch are the parents of Estella...and Miss Havisham ended up with Estella. In all of this tangled web, who do you think is the biggest victim here?

Notice the craft Dickens uses in this conversation between Herbert and Pip. How does he manage to make this conversation some about in such a natural way? What makes it such a real exchange?

Chapter 49: Atonement

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Miss Havisham conducts the business concerning Herbert with swiftness and in a business-like manner. This transaction tells us several things about her character. What are some of those things?

Why is Miss Havisham crying? Why should she be crying?

What foreshadows Miss Havisham's fiery fate?

Chapter 48: Dinner with Man Hands

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Why does Jaggers bring up the matter of Drummel and Estella's impending marriage? Is it for Pip's sake or for Molly's sake?

Why do you think Jaggers brings up the idea that Drummle will have to beat Estella if he wants the upper hand in the marriage?

Molly is said to have been "tamed" by Jaggers from the moment she goes to work for him. How do you suppose she was "tamed"?

Chapter 47: The Phantom of the Theater

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Pip indicates that his finances are not good. What do you think of his solution for handling that situation?

What hints does Pip give that indicate that Wopsle's acting career has derailed?

Was Compeyson there on purpose or by mere coincidence? If he was there for a purpose, what was that purpose? He takes a pretty big risk sitting so close to Pip...

Chapter 46: The Marina District...kind of

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Pip finds himself in an entirely new setting here. What does the setting described by Pip suggest? In other words, what does the setting symbolize here?

Pip and Clara have some very clear similarities in their lives. What do you see as being similar?

Why does Magwitch seem so comfortable here, especially with Barley roaring below him at all hours?

Chapter 45: Sleepless Nights...

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Dickens does a nice job of capturing Pip's uneasy state of mind and his inability to sleep. Ever been unable to shut your brain off so you can sleep? I think Dickens did this very well.

Wemmick, like Jaggers, is very careful with his words. He is also very sly in his actions. Why is he so concerned with Magwitch's portable property? And why does he risk himself in this situation?

What do we learn about Clara, based on what we've learned in this chapter?

Chapter 44: Sometimes the Truth Hurts

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Okay...a mushy, melodramatic chapter...

Why does Pip want Miss Havisham to help Herbert? Why do you think she agrees to do so?

Why is Estella marrying Drummle? Of all the men, as Pip says, why this dreadful brute? What do you think?

Why do you think Miss Havisham has a look of horror and remorse on her face?

Another cliffhanger -- Why would Wemmick warn Pip not to go home? What could possibly be waiting for him there?

Chapter 43: Hey, Pal, That's MY Girl

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As is too often the case, Pip makes the situation about him...and Estella...Why does he want to see Estella and Miss Havisham before taking care of Magwitch's escape from England?

Very childish behavior between Drummle and Pip. So who will win the battle for Estella's heart (if she actually has one)?

Chapter 42: The Story

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Pip is the novel's narrator, but Magwitch is the narrator of his own story. Is Magwitch a reliable narrator? If so, what evidence can you give to support that? If not, why not?

Magwitch is Compeyson's lackey, and Compeyson is a dirty backstabber. Why is it significant that the Arthur mentioned is Miss Havisham's brother, and Compeyson is the man who left her at the altar?

Chapter 41: Dangling

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Sure...NOW Pip regrets leaving the forge...

Why won't Pip accept any more money from Magwitch?

Herbert is in friend mode here, and he is really good at it. Do you think his plan of getting Magwitch safely out of the country will work? Is it even a good plan?

Again, the end of the chapter is a cliffhanger...what is the story of the fight in the marshes? Read on...

Chapter 40: Uncle Provis

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Note to Self:
Fire the watchman.

Sincerely,
Pip

Names are significant to Dickens, as we saw earlier...what is significant about the names Provis and Magwitch? You may have to do some investigative work to figure this out.

Magwitch has been very generous to Pip, and he continues to throw money at him...the only reason given is that Pip gave him food and a file on the marshes and didn't rat him out. Seems like the two pound notes would have been sufficient payment for this "good" deed. So why is he paying Pip back in such an opulent way?

Jaggers is very careful with his words when he speaks with Pip, and he makes sure Pip is very careful with his words, as well. What more does this exchange tell us about Jaggers' character?

Why does Magwitch carry a Bible? More importantly, why does he only use it for this one purpose?