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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...
11 comments:
Pip comes up with an idea to sell unneeded jewelry in order to get money without having to take funds from Magwitch. In my opinion, this solution is a little lopsided. He thinks that he has found a way around dipping into Magwitch's pockets, but in reality, all he is doing is selling something that he initially bought with Magwitch's money, just to spend it again. It's technically still money from his benefactor. Besides, it seems that Pip is only using this money to satisfy his want of a full wallet, instead of using it to pay off his debts. I think Pip needs to stop being prissy and get a job to EARN his money. When Pip begins to talk about going to the play to see Wopsle, he explicitly states that Wopsle has not revived the theater, but only added to its demise. From that bit alone we get the idea that Wopsle isn't doing too well. I'm not so sure about Compeyson's purpose in being at the play. Perhaps he just likes mediocre theater. But I'm leaning more towards the guess that he had different motives for his attendance; most likely, he's just keeping an eye on Pip.
Like Lauren said, it's kind of ludicrous to think that Pip is justifying this action just to not change his current lifestyle. The logic is so twisted that he somehow finds it in himself to justify his actions. Wopsle's acting career is pretty much over, as the play is even more dismal than Pip's previous visit. I think Compeyson was there for a reason, to observe Pip. I believe he has been following Pip for a while now, keeping Pip in check. As to why he has followed him in the theater, it's probably of cruel intentions seeing as how he was so close to Pip and left without a hurry.
I definitely think Compeyson being at the theater wasn't a coincidence. I don't think the author would have even put this in the plot if it wasn't important. I think Compeyson is on to Pip and Magwitch. He definitely wants Magwitch dead and some how he found out that he is hiding with Pip. I think the man on the steps at the Temple that night was him. He must have been following Magwitch for a while to find him that easily.
I cant believe that Pip convinces himself that by selling his jewely he is not using Magwitch's money to pay off his debts. Magwitch gave him literally everything he owns, and Pip has nothing that he really truly worked for. He thinks that by selling his jewelry he is avoiding using Magwitch's money, but even his jewelry was bought with Magwitch's money. I dont know how Pip can convince himself that he is not using Magwitch's money by doing this, but I understand Pip not wanting to use anymore of the money and trying to find a way to pay off his debts on his own. I feel that Pip's wanting to avoid using Magwitch's money kind of shows that Pip is starting to understand all that Magwitch has done for him, and he is starting to appreciate it more. I also think that he feels guilty for misusing the money in the beginning, and he wants to repay his debts with his own funds.
I didnt understand the reasoning behind Compeyson being at the play until after I read the rest of the book. He was obviously keeping tabs on Pip and Magwitch throughout the course of the book. Compeyson ends up being the person who is responsible for identifying and capturing Magwitch at the end.
i don't think it really matters if Pip is in debt because his life is meaningless. Is it really necessary to make a habit out of rowing the boat? Are people so suspicious that they call the police if someone rows their boat once and not numerous times? why shouldn't Provis recognize them on their practice rows? If Pip is being stalked they should get Provis to safety as soon as possible, not delay things and give him time to be murdered. How effective were customs back then anyways? Would anyone really have noticed if they used a charter boat or something other than a rowboat to go to another country? And if Magwitch was caught, who cares? He's a criminal, and giving Pip a bunch of money doesn't change that. Pip spent the whole book crying because he couldn't be a gentlemen, and now he's risking everything to help a smelly criminal. He's so disgusted by the family that raised him but now he's putting all his efforts towards helping the criminal who stole from his family years ago.
I agree with the statements above stating that Pip's need for a fat wallet is unnecessary. Yet, I think selling the jewelry instead of using the money Magwitch, is all done with good intentions. Although he isn't using his money to pay off his debts, he is using the money to keep himself from going crazy.
Compeyson's appearance had to have been to keep track of Pip. The story of the convict can't be through. Pip is going to have to choose between one he loves or his social status.
Selling his extra jewelery for money instead of using Magwitch's money is good. However, Pip doesn't need more money; he needs to live on and spend a more reasonable amount than he currently does or he needs to get a job to cover his expenses. Pip hints at Wopsle's failing career, mentioning his roles in plays as costarring with a monkey or as some sort of joker, instead of more auspicious roles which Wopsle hoped for.
Pip decides to sell his jewelry for the money he needs, but still hasn't really gotten around to make a real decision about what to do about the circumstance. About Wopsle's acting career Pip has the view that he actually made the drama die instead of reviving at as he had planned to. he also describes Mr. Wopsle as making the productions unintentionally humorous. Compeyson being near Pip is very suspicious, it reminds me of the time when Pip was so nervous about the guy who he had happened upon one night outside his apartment.
So Pip’s solution to his mounting debt is just selling off some extra jewelry and he does this just to avoid using more of Abel’s money. Weird how Pip had no problem spending excessively when he was sure his benefactor was Miss Havisham. Here is an idea why doesn’t Pip go find a job and pay off his debt through his own hard work. I don’t believe in coincidences. I don’t know why Compeyson was there but my best would be that he was spying on Pip but as to why he would be spying on Pip I have no idea. I don’t think that it was that big of a risk for Compeyson because even if Pip noticed him ( I don’t think this was that likely Pip has never seemed very observant) what would Pip have been able to do. If Pip noticed Compeyson he probably would have frozen up or ran away anyway.
I think Pip’s intentions are good, but he is either very dim-witted or has not really changed because selling the jewelry (or jewellery) is not really fixing the problem. I think that Pip, like Magwitch, has changed forever. Pip was given a new life, and now he is addicted and cannot change. Mind you, Pip really has not had to earn any money in his entire life; I have to admit, I do feel bad for Pip. I do always enjoy reading Pip’s commentary of Wopsle’s plays, even if they are horrible. Pips hints at Wopsle’s failing acting career: “Questionable triumph”; Pip even says that Wopsle has taken part in the theatre’s decline. First off, Compeyson is a creeper; but he is also very smart. There is no way that it was a coincidence, Compeyson is watching Pip and probably knows that Pip is keeping Magwitch as well. However, Compeyson took the risk (it’s actually not that risky because who looks behind them during a play) not only to try to scare Pip, but to prove a point; that he can get close to Pip. He could have kept an eye on Pip from a distance, but he decided to get close, probably his cockiness shining through to see how close he can get, but also to show that he could have just as easily grabbed Pip if he had wanted to. Compeyson’s work paid off; Pip is now scared out of his mind, and constantly looking over his shoulder.
Pip's solution to his money problems is somewhat unethical. If he originally bought the jewelry with Magwitch's money, then technically the jewelry belongs to him. Pip probably shouldn't have used the money to buy jewelry anyways.. but since he did, he's got to use his resources to get by with what he's got. It's a good idea to sell off unnecessary jewelry, but I think there's still some controversy whether he should have sold the jewels or not.. He really should have used the money to pay off his debts. I think Pip's being a little greedy and really immature with his money use. He's changed a lot because of all this money and stuff, but not necessarily for the better. He needs to grow up.
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