Great Expectations – Chapters 22 & 23

Chapter 22:

1. How has the convict made his m

​ oney​ and what has he done with his money?

The convict made his money by farming sheep and working hard. He gave every
penny earned to Pip.

2. ‘The thought that for all I knew, his hands might have blood on them,
filled me with horror.’​ What does Pip mean by this?

By saying that, Pip means that he is unsure of whether the money he earned is
legal or not. The man was previously a convict, so he had obviously done so horrid
crimes. For all we know, he could’ve murdered someone, and Pip is unsure of that
too, and he did not want to be associated with a murderer.

3. Is Pip happy to discover the true​ identity of his benefactor? ​

No, Pip is not happy about discovering the identity of his benefactor. ‘But,
sharpest and deepest of pain of all-- it was for this man, guilty of I knew not
what crimes, and likely to be hanged, that I had deserted Joe and Biddy,’ proves
it furthermore. Pip was mad that he left his beloved Joe and Biddy for a convict
who was likely to be dead soon. Moreover, with this mystery being revealed, Pip’s
dreams have been shattered since he had all the way thought that Miss
Havisham is his benefactor, and that a bright future was awaiting him with
Estella.

4. Why is the convict acting very cautiously/carefully?

The convict is acting very cautiously, because he was sentenced to death, and if
he was to be slightly suspected, he would be immediately sent back to prison for
a life sentence.
5. What type of ​atmosphere ​is evident in this chapter?

There is a mysterious atmosphere evident in this chapter, since we do not know

who this man is, what his relations to Pip are, and what he wants.
6. How can we tell that the stranger seems to have ​deeper feelings ​for Pip than a
stranger usually would?

The stranger thoroughly admires Pip from head to toe, takes Pip’s hands, and
kisses them both. Normally, a random stranger on the street would not do that,
showing that this one had deeper feelings for Pip than a normal stranger.
 7. Why do you think he would be happy that Pip has grown up to be a​ ​brave​ young
man?
I think he would be happy that Pip has grown up to be a brave young man,
because then his work would not have gone to waste.

8. What does he mean when he says Pip acted ‘​nobly​’?

He means that Pip acted ‘nobly’ because he forgot everything to help a random,
poor man with no source of help. In his eyes, Provis thinks this is noble.

Great Expectations – Chapters 22 & 23

9. ‘He had lived rough so I might live smooth. He had worked hard so that I
might be above work. ’​ Explain the meaning behind this quote.
By saying this, Pip meant that Provis worked hard, kept going through trouble and
horrible things, and had to start a new life, just so Pip could live it easy, and become
a gentleman not long after he wished for it.

Chapter 23:

1. What is the real name of Pip’s convict?

The real name of Pip’s convict is Abel Magwitch.
2. What name does he go by in order to disguise his true identity?
He goes by the name Provis to hide his true identity.
3. Why can’t Pip accept Magwitch’s money?
Pip can’t accept Magwitch’s money, because he already feels that he is in deep
debt towards Magwitch.
4. What kind of childhood did Magwitch have?
Magwitch had a sad childhood. He was very poor, spent his childhood begging and
stealing for survival. He then got driven into a world of crime against his will,
and in and out of prison most of the times.
5. Who is Compeyson? Why did the court go easier on him?

Compeyson is a gentleman who was known to be a smooth-talker, and good

looking. Compeyson persuaded Provis to be his partner in his cheating; passing
stolen banknotes and such illegal work. The court went easier on him on account
of good character and bad company, and because he turned in every single piece
of information against Magwitch.