Relationships in chapter 13:

In this passage, Dickens presents two conflicting perspectives on the same relationship. On the one
hand, Joe views his relationship with Pip as one of endearment, Pip on the other hand is ashamed of
Joe.

Joe’s affection towards Pip is demonstrated most clearly where he persistently talks through Pip to
Miss Havisham due to his nervousness of the situation. By relying on Pip, Dickens highlights Joe’s lack
of experience and understanding in talking to those of a higher social class, thereby leaning on Pip
highlighting his trust of Pip. Dicken’s choice of the verb “persist” demonstrates that Joe is clinging
onto Pip for help on navigating this situation. Despite Joe’s comfortability, Pip is embarrassed and
finds Joe’s inability to take on the dominant parent role in this situation to be “very aggravating.”

In his conversation with Miss Havisham, Joe shows his paternal endearment by putting Pip’s
happiness before himself. For example, “it were the wish of your own h(e)art!” where Joe is
displaying his support for Pip’s decisions. Contrary to this, Pip is ashamed of Joe’s lack of social
knowledge and Dickens uses his internal thoughts to unveil his passive aggressive and snobbish views
on Joe’s behaviour, such as, “It was quite vain for me to endeavour to make him sensible,” and, “the
more I made faces … and polite.” Pip’s looking down on Joe causes readers to dislike traits of his new
characterisation, where he places himself above characters of his own social class. Here, Dickens is
enhancing the juxtaposition of the two characters by giving readers a chance to sympathise with Joe
and adversely disapprove of Pip’s thoughts and opinions.

In the first paragraph of the extract, Joe is dictated as childish and unknowing by the use of the
metaphor “extraordinary bird,” and “his tuft of feathers ruffled” to describe his messy appearance.
However, Dickens uses this comparable object, “bird” to enhance the irony of Pip’s childish view of
Joe reflecting his hypocritical and monochrome view of the world. Pip is in a similar position to Joe in
terms of social placing and is therefore deflecting and belittling his position onto Joe.

(not sure If I was meant to conclude)

Pink- AO1

Yellow- AO2

Blue- AO4

WWW:

- You’ve begun to critically analyse the texts focusing on why Dicken’s have used certain
words/literary techniques

- You’ve picked out a range from the text to demonstrate and support your argument

EBI:

- You included some events from later on in the book to solidified what you were writing
about to show your understanding of the book and the relationship between the characters