Great Expectations, Chapter 41 - Charles Dickens (1861) - Pip's Assessment of a Past Event

Extract

[...] This scene, and his speech might be the tool he needed to act accordingly to the reactions of both other men: on one hand Provis is in denial, is blind to other people's feelings and still figures that Pip, whom he shaped, might obviously feel the way he feels about his education and his mentorship. On the other hand, Herbert, a steady character, stays true to himself and understand the cry for help from his friend: he does not judge him, nor reproach him his past behaviour, but is willing to do anything to help him resolve his troubles. [...]

[...] There is a mise en abyme, when Pip says recounted the whole of the secret," this is a direct indication that there will be a story told within the story. Pip takes a step back and make an assessment of this past event. This moment really is a turning point in the life of Pip: he comes back to what Provis did for him in the past; he lets Herbert understand he has regrets; and he is willing to change the situation. [...]

[...] Great Expectations, Chapter 41 - Charles Dickens (1861) - Pip's Assessment of a Past Event Commentary of text: Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens Published in 1861 and written by Charles Dickens, Great Expectations is the perfect illustration of the Victorian period. Through this novel, Dickens portrays different social classes in industrial Britain, and mock the aristocracy. Different styles are blended together (notably gothic and comedy), which makes his writing unique. In this specific extract of the book, the main character, Pip has already gained a lot of experience, and is able to take some distance from what happened in the previous chapters. [...]

[...] The three characters represent these three aspects: Provis is the past, Pip is the present and Herbert is the future. It seems curious that Pip is telling this in front of Provis, however seeing Provis' reaction is important: he does not understand that Pip changed, that he is sorry for how he acted before. He still thinks there is some pride to take from it, and hearing Pip telling the story makes him feel please. Herbert is tackled by Provis, who finds in him an auditor to a story in which he believes he is a hero, and he certainly thinks Herbert must admire him for it, and envy Pip for having him as a mentor. [...]

[...] Pip might have expected for him to finally understand his change of mind, as he is only relieved when he is gone. But the question also arises, to know really why Provis stayed so late: he might have gotten all wrong, and wanted to stay because he really enjoyed what he thought was an admiration of his mentoring; or maybe, it is likely but still a possibility, he understood what was going on, but wasn't willing to accept it, and stayed to avoid the two young men to stay together and plot against him. [...]