6. No need to take a file from his pocket and show it to me; no need to…

This is an allusion to Pip’s first encounter with his visitor in the churchyard many years before when the boy had brought him some food and a file to get rid of his iron. In this passage reiteration is used again. Here it is the repetition of the phrase “no need to”. As always when a repetition of phrases takes place, it results in a parallel arrangement of sentences and a definite rhythmical pattern of the sentence. It is meant to accentuate certain significant details of the past that is horrible for Pip. The fact that the phrase is repeated three times makes these details still more sinister.

7. I lived rough, that you should live smooth; I worked hard that you should be above work.

In these sentences two ideas are put together that are opposed.

Trying to persuade Pip that he need not feel that he was under any obligation to him for what he had done to make Pip a gentleman, the convict seeks to lay stress on the fact, that though his position is low and humble he is righteously proud of his deed and that the young man’s happiness is the only compensation he wishes. His words emphasize the convict’s magnanimity and Pip’s pettiness.

Discussion of the text

1. Speak of the text stating whether it presents a description, an account of events, portraiture or a dialogue. If you find several components, name all of them.

2. Give a brief summary of the text.

3. Divide the excerpt into logically complete parts and give a brief summary of each. Suggest possible titles for these parts.

4. Choose a key-sentence in each part that in your opinion reveals its main idea.

5. What is the mood prevalent in the excerpt? Is it cheerfulness, suspense, gloom, nervousness? Prove your statement.

6. Say how Dickens creates an atmosphere of growing nervous suspense in which the coming events are to take place.

Does the description of London weather form a gloomy or cheerful background for these events? What stylistic devices are employed by the author in his description of the weather? What epithets does he use in reference to weather? What effect is achieved by the reiteration of the words “stormy”, “wet” and “mud”. Study the sentence “So furious had been the gusts…” and say what makes it emphatic. What was the effect of the weather on Pip? Why did he start when he heard a footstep on the stair?

7. Comment upon the description of the stranger’s appearance and behaviour. Are the details of his attire and appearance suggestive of his personality? What impression did he produce upon Pip? Did he arouse his sympathy or did he repulse him? Why didn’t Pip display any willingness to welcome the stranger? What is your opinion of Pip’s behaviour? Was he rather a conceited young man or was he generous and noble? How can you account for Pip’s forebodings and terror when he realized who his mysterious visitor was? Did the idea of reestablishing intimate relations with the convict seem alluring to him?

In what way is it made clear that the convict’s life had been sacrificed to Pip? Did Pip appreciate this sacrifice? What made him almost faint when he heard the convict’s confession?

8. Make a summary of Pip and the convict as character studies. Contrast the speech characterization of Pip and the convict as revealed in the selection, quoting the text. Say whether Pip’s somewhat elaborate manner of speaking is in keeping with his keen desire to seem a real gentleman?

9. Where is the climax of the excerpt? Quote the sentences which express it.

10. Give a summary of your comments on the text.