Chapter 56

 

1)  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?

2)  How do Pip's actions at the trial and at Magwitch's bedside show he has changed? 

3)  What will Pip do now that everything he has strived for is over?

Chapter 55

  Magwitch is taken to prison and Compeyson is confirmed dead.  All of Magwitch's assets are confiscated by the court, and Pip ensures that Magwitch will never know that his money is gone. 

1 )Why do you think that Pip does that? 

2) The wedding of Wemmick and Miss Skiffins is an amusing afair.  In what way is the wedding characteristic of the people who participate in it? 

3)  Why does Dickens put the wedding here?  What purpose does it serve? 

  

Chapter 54

And so....the great escape .....an attempt to get Magwitch out of the county and out of danger. 

Your comments? 

Chapter 53

We probably could have predicted something bad was going to happen!

1)  While Pip is tied up and listening to the angry Orlick, he has some thoughts that are pretty revealing.  Pip thinks he's going to die....what is it that he wants? 

2)  Your comments on this chapter? 

Bonus point for anyone who can tell us what a sluice house is. 

Chapter 52

1)  Pip concludes his arrangements for Herbert's partnership.  He concludes that this was the only good thing he had done.  Is this true ?

A mysterious and threatening letter arrives. 

2) 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?
Why doesn't Pip tell anyone? Is this part of his character? Or a plot device by Dickens?

Chapter 51

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

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

3)  Although there is "no admission", Jaggers clearly has a heart somewhere in that chest of his, at least where children are concerned.  Take a close look at Jaggers experience with children in his profession on p. 444.  What do you think Dickens is satirizing here? 


4)  Is Jaggers right in his thoughts about keeping Estella's parentage a secret?  Do his actions in the Magwitch-Estella case alter your judgement of his character in any way? 

Chapter 50

While Pip recovers, Herbert continues to visit Magwitch (aka Provis) and brings back more information about him to Pip. 

1)  It's interesting to note that Herbert thinks Magwitch was "softened when last I saw him" (435).  What do you make of this?  Is he really becoming less harsh and objectionable....or is Herbert and Pip's perception of him changing?

2)   What do you learn about Magwitch's backstory that may make his becoming benefactor to Pip more understandable?

3)  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?