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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?
10 comments:
It seems that Pip is so adamant about finding out the truth of Estella's parentage because he is so crazy about her, and because he has his own mystery about his parentage. Seeing as how Pip only knows his parents from what their graves stones say, maybe he feels that connection with not knowing who your parents are, and that drives him to what her to not be lost like he was/is. Jaggers was probably thinking about why he didn't know these things, and why he's hearing about them now. It's like he and Wemmick were in a comfortable work relationship, and now all this extra stuff is being added on, and it was kind of weird. Wemmick was probably thinking why does Jaggers need to know? Especially since Wemmick likes to keep his work and home life separate, he wasn't thrilled with it being brought to Jaggers' attention. I have a feeling that Jaggers wasn't expecting anyone to actually figure out who Estella's parents are, and was shocked that Pip did. Then on top of that, he was probably bothered that somehow, Estella's tangled web of parents would come out in the open and create problems amongst everyone. Which leads me to say that I think Jaggers is right to keep Estella's parentage secret, at least until Estella is older and Miss Havisham and Magwitch were gone. Because knowing how Estella's parents are so closely attached to Miss Havisham's "demise", I don't think anything good would have come of Estella knowing.
I agree with Ashley with thinking that Pip is so determined to find the root of Estella's parentage because his lack of information on his own. From the beginning of the novel Pip has known only the contents on his parents graves. He's feeling lost with his own family's history and his love for Estella makes him inclined to save her from the same predicament. When Pip talks about Wemmick's home, I think Wemmick is a bit shocked that Pip would mention the details of his personal life. He goes to such lengths to separate his home and work life that this slip could jeopardize all his work. Jaggers was probably also surprised that Wemmick is such a different person outside of the office living such a carefree life. He has been working with Wemmick for a number of years and most likely had no idea about his double life.
Ashley and Sam have the first few questions straightened out pretty well. Pip probably has a natural fascination for Estella's parentage because his own parents are unknown to him. If he can't figure out his own family, he'll take the opportunity to solve the mystery for someone who is living with a similar issue. Wemmick was most likely taken aback by Pip's reveal; since Wemmick puts so much effort into separating the different facets of his life, Pip's slip might make it out to be all in vain. Jaggers was certainly surprised by the reveal as well; he was obviously fooled by Wemmick's work-face, even to the point of believing that Wemmick's Walworth life was some sort of clever and intricate lie. He may also be hesitant to believe it because he doesn't want his subordinate to have a lifestyle that he himself wants; just because his work fully encompasses his life doesn't mean he wants it that way.
Jaggers seems to act like a lawyer at all times, much like how he takes his work home with him. When he can't come out with the truth, he comes up with a lie or hypothetical situation in order to get around the issue and express himself. I believe that when Jaggers says that he asserted his power over Molly in the "old way", he means to say that he used the same physical force against her that she had used in her old ways.
Mike just came in at the wrong moment. Pip's big reveal created a bit of tension that ended up being released by way of this poor man. I think that Jaggers' harsh words were his way of denouncing any sort of weakness, taking aim at Wemmick. Wemmick himself, however, was probably trying to redeem himself with his harshness; he was trying to show Jaggers that he was capable of doing his job even though he had a soft spot.
I think that for Pip to find the truth behind Estella's parentage is a way to bring him closer to Estella. It could create a passage way into Estella's cold heart. When Pip talked of Wemmick's nice home and aged father I think Jaggers was in disbelief that Wemmick had a life outside of work. Jaggers is so surprised that Pip knows who Estella's father is because it is obviously supposed to be a secret. Estella's parentage was such a well-kept secret that for Jaggers to actually hear that someone else knew it undoubtedly came as a shock. No, I don't believe that Jaggers is right about keeping Estella's parentage a secret because Magwitch, as a person clearly craving for someone to take care of, deserves that much. Not knowing about his daughter has left a void in Magwitch's life and I truly feel bad for him.
Wow, there are alot of crazy twists in this book, and it seems that the web of characters and their relationships with other characters seems to be growing and getting even more complicated with each chapter.
I feel that keeping Estella's parentage a secret is the best thing to do for all the characters involved. First, suddenly revealing that her parents were alive the whole time could create major problems for Estella. She was brought up an orphan, and if it was revealed that her parents were still alive, she might feel like she was unwanted which would cause her to become even more cold hearted and emotionless. I think it would cause her to go crazy just like Miss Havisham did. Also it could cause problems for Miss Havisham. Magwitch turns out to have been partners with Compeyson who broke Miss Havishams heart. How unlucky that the woman who raised Estella had her heart broken by the business partner of Estellas father. I think that Miss Havisham would defanately have ill feelings toward Magwitch for his partnership with the man that broker her heart. It seems that so much of Miss Havishams life revolves around her heart being broken on her wedding day, and any mention of the man that broke her heart would just cause her to go even more crazy than she already is, if that is even possible.
Pip is a stupid individual when it comes Estella and what he believes to be love. Estella left him, and did it in a cold hearted way, if he was a logical man he would stop his connections with Estella forever, but Pip is not a logical man and decides to look up her parentage. When Pip tells of have been at Wemmicks home with his elderly father, Wemick is thinking, "Oh crap, now that the secrets out Jaggers might portray me as a sensitive and non-hard working man, who is different in true reality and has been faking most of his job." Jaggers seems to be thinking "Wemmick has a nice home, and a father? i know nothing of this man, and yet i feel like he is not the man i see in my office everyday." I believe that Jaggers is surprised and bothered that Pip knows Estella's father because Jaggers himself does not, and was led to believe that he would never have knowledge of him. I do not think Jaggers is justified in his thoughts about keeping Estellas parentage a secret. Magwitch obviously would have had some joy in seeing his daughter and knowing about his daughters well-being, this knowledge might have brought him the joy that he was seeking throughout his life. Estella also has a right to know her parentage, at this point in her life, she doesnt know her parents exist, therefore she had no choice but to stay with Miss Havisham. Estella was raised a monster that grew up with no heart, this childhood is not what any child wishes to have. If Estella knew her parentage she at least would have some bond to them and know her background, and maybe grew up with some sympathy towards them.
Wow, this chapter was certainly chocked full of information. I was wondering the same thing- why is Pip so adamant about figuring out who Estella's father is. After all, I don't think he is actually going to tell her now that he knows. However, I can see why he would just want to know, instead of living the rest of his life wondering. I wasn't sure why Wemmick was so embarrassed that Jaggers now knows about his life outside of work. It just doesn't make much sense to me. I mean, yes, it is unprofessional, but it is out of the work place, which is where you are supposed to be unprofessional, so I was a bit confused. I found it quite interesting that Jaggers "wasn't admitting anything" although, truthfully he was admitting everything that Pip had mentioned. When he said he asserted "his power over her in the old way" I think he meant through beating her. That's the only thing I can think of that he could have meant by "the old way". I don't think Jaggers is right in keeping Estella's parentage a secret. A child deserves to know who their parents are, and to be able to develop a relationship with them at any point in their life, in my opinion.
I agree that Pip has such a fascination with Estella's parentage because of his lack of information on his own. It could be because each person in this web has been an influence on his life. He has been in love with Estella since they met. Miss Havisham taught him, he grew up with her, and saved her life. Magwitch gave Pip the only money he had to his name, and Pip has grown a sense protectiveness toward him. Molly, is the housekeeper of Jaggers, who he has thought of as his guardian.
I don't think it is right of Jagger to keep Estella's parentage a secret. I feel like he is doing this to say in charge of the situation. To keep his power.
I think the main reason behind Pip’s interest in Estella’s parentage is his attempt to discover more about Estella. Pip is so madly in love with her that he wants to know everything he possibly can about her. He probably feels that his knowledge of her parentage could bring the two of them closer, at least I’m sure that’s what he hopes for. When Pip tells Jaggers about Wemmick’s pleasant home and aged father, there are a thousand things running through Jaggers’s mind. From the way that Jaggers talked to Wemmick, I got the vibe that Wemmick has a sneakier business life that only Jaggers is aware of. When Jaggers states, “Pip, this man must be the most cunning impostor in all London,” it is implied that Wemmick’s pleasant home completely contradicts the way he does his work in the office. When this conversation between Jaggers and Wemmick took place, it made me wonder if there’s more to the work done in the office than that which has already been exposed. I think that Jaggers is so bothered by the fact that Pip knows who Estella’s parents are because he didn’t intend for anyone to find out. Jaggers may also be bothered by it because he is worried that Pip might share the news with Estella. I don’t really know if I would say that Jaggers is right or wrong in keeping Estella’s parentage a secret. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t let the secret out because it could potentially hurt his job.
This was my favorite chapter, as it seems Pip finally stands up to Jaggers. Pip tells webbick and Jaggers of his recent learning, and how he "pieced the puzzle together," which shocks Jaggers. I find his shock offensive to Pip, afterall he did visit Miss Havisham's hundreds of times, and Jaggers knew of Provis returning to see Pip. It was only a matter of time before he put it together. Although I am on "team Pip", I do have to agree with Jaggers with his thought on keeping Estella's parentage a secret. It seems to dangerous to tell Provis, and to tell Estella now after she is away and married seems like it would cause more harm than good between all parties.
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