Character Analysis Of Joe Gargery In 'Great Expectations'

Pip expresses that he "...loved Joe perhaps for no better reason than because the dear fellow let me love him" implying that Pip may have a problem expressing the way he feels about those in his life (Dickens 41). This lack of expression remains present in Pip’s character throughout the novel, especially with frustration for the way he feels about Estella. Pip earning his expectations put a strain on the already limited relationship that he had with Joe, once Pip began to realize that Joe’s occupation was meager and unfit for someone with Pip’s means.

Prompt five, Argue who is/ are the most admirable and/ or despicable character(s) in the novel and why.

The protagonist's brother-in-law, Joe Gargery, in the novel Great Expectations, written by Charles Dickens, is prominently humane, especially compared to the other characters. Although Pip is the psychological center of the book, Joe is the moral center. Pip struggles to be good; Joe merely is obedient by nature without apprehending it. Although Joe is not prosperous or knowledgeable, he still offers what he does know and have, to Pip. Joe provides a perfect example of however one conducts oneself in life; one's good nature always asserts itself at the end. With Joe's humane intellect, he is like a father to Pip- giving him guidance, informing him what

In The Great Expectations, Charles Dickens characterizes Joe Gargery as a commendable guy, who does things out of kindness for the people he loves. Furthermore, Joe is loyal, strong, hardworking, and dependable, but does not receive the credit for his good nature nor was he treated with

Gatsby is a character who aspired to be successful and to realize his dreams of love and wealth, however, when he faced his reality he was never able to fully accomplish his dreams, revealing that one will use all their energy to hold on to a dream that will never reach a reality.

- Joe Gargery is one of the loyal characters in the book. Pip, although he has made many mistakes, he was fortunate enough to have an abundance of devoted friends to stick with him. Joe has proved himself to be one of those friends in countless ways. As an example, he convinced Mrs. Joe to take Pip in, payed off his debts, visited him when he was sick, and even left in the middle of the night so Pip won’t feel ashamed of him. Pip felt ashamed after he stole the food for the convict. He knew Joe, out of everyone, had the right to know what he did. However, Pip stuck with the wrong thing to do and didn’t tell

The relationships around individuals impact how they will view relationships and who they will chase after. In Great Expectations, Dickens shows how Mr. & Mrs. Joe’s relationship affects Pip. In the primary relationship in Pip’s life, he witnesses a woman who constantly abuses a man and treats him with little respect. Dickens reveals how Pip, in his adulthood, chases after Estella who similarly treats him without kindness or regard for his well-being. Dickens shows how Pip follows the example set for him by his guardians and accepts Estella’s foul treatment of him. Just as Joe reflects on Mrs. Joe’s figure and attractiveness, Pip also obsesses

Joe’s personality is the opposite of his wife’s, including the presence of a moral code which is in turn passed on to Pip. When Joe learned Pip had told everyone lies about what he saw at Miss Havisham’s home, instead of yelling at him he told him that he’d never get to be a gentleman by “going crooked” and simply advised him to never do so again. Pip was also influenced by listening to Joe talk about the good in people, including how he was married to Mrs. Joe because he saw the good in Pip as a baby, and this makes Pip “look up to Joe in his heart.” Even though Joe was Pip’s brother-in-law he was more like a father figure/friend who taught Pip almost all of his admirable

As Pip grows into the life of a gentleman, he meets many people in different environments and situations. These characters each play a role in Dickens’ storytelling and message. In Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, Joe Gargery is described as Pip’s guardian who is kind-hearted and forgiving. Indirect characterization is used to show that Joe forgives people easily through his dialogue. He is also portrayed as a loyal man through his static character.

Joe armed with wrath and “Tickler” (Dickens 7). Joe wishes that Pip would not have to bear the brunt of “Tickler”; he wishes that he could “‘take it all’” himself (Dickens 51). Joe takes a kindly, brotherly interest in Pip; he and Pip share a “good-natured companionship” (Dickens 9). When Pip refrains from eating his bread and butter, which he intends to save for the convict, Joe believes that Pip has lost his appetite. Joe becomes “uncomfortable” and does not “enjoy” his food (Dickens 9). Joe often encourages and motivates Pip. When Pip presents Joe with his first specimen of writing, Joe declares that Pip is a “‘scholar’” (Dickens 73). When Pip complains about his commonness, Joe says that Pip is “‘oncommon’”. He wisely observes that “‘you must be a common scholar afore you can be a oncommon one’” (Dickens 73). Joe’s kindness and generosity also extends beyond his family. When the convict confesses that he stole some food from the blacksmith, Joe says that he is “‘welcome to it’”; he would not want even a convict to be “‘starved to death’” (Dickens 40).

Pip is informed that he is going to London to begin his gentlemanly education and this only serves to feed into his new obsession. The first to see this is wholesome and virtuous Joe. Joe was a caring and compassionate man and stays true to his character throughout the novel. It is

Just as we sometimes turn away from God, Pip turns away from Joe. When Pip meets Estella and the "glittering alternative to life at the forge that she and Satis House represent, he can't ever again enjoy the idea of working with Joe at the forge."4 When he acquires his fortune, Pip totally pushes Joe out of his life. Because Great Expectations is written in first person (and Pip is a very honest storyteller), we can observe that "while Pip the narrator recognizes Joe's goodness..."5 and great love for him, "...Pip the character goes on

Charles Dickens uses his own opinions to develop the larger-than-life characters in Great Expectations. The novel is written from the point of view of the protagonist, Pip. Pip guides the reader through his life, describing the different stages from childhood to manhood. Many judgments are made regarding the other characters, and Pip's views of them are constantly changing according to his place in the social hierarchy. For instance, Pip feels total admiration that, later, turns to total shame for the man who raised him, Joe Gargery. The primary theme in this novel questions whether being in a higher social and economic class helps a person to achieve true happiness. This idea is shown through Pip's innocence at the forge, visits

Dickens criticizes this injustice in Great Expectations buy mocking a society that values wealth and appearance. In the novel typically the poorest characters are the most honest and moral and the wealthiest are the most immoral and corrupt. Pips moral stalwart is Joe, his much older brother in law. Joe is a poor blacksmith who is ridiculed for his humble means by his wife and also by a wealthy Pip for his humility and ignorance of wealth and high society.

The theme of family is shown mainly through Pip’s relationship with his brother-in-law, Joe Gargery. In the beginning of the novel, Pip makes it obvious that he dislikes his sister, and takes more of a liking to her husband Joe because Pip is able to sympathize with him (Dickens 40). Joe becomes his confidant, a fact that becomes apparent when Pip comes home to face a harsh interrogation by Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook after his first visit to Miss Havisham’s. Pip lies to the both of them about his experience, but feels guilty about doing the same to Joe and confesses his wrongdoing. Joe shows understanding towards Pip, and instead of sternly rebuking him for lying, he simply but seriously Pip about the dangers of lying, saying “if you can’t get to be oncommon (uncommon) through going straight, you’ll never get to do it through going crooked” (Dickens 100). While Pip’s relationship with Joe is being tested by his desire to gain a higher social standing, Pip shows significant guilt over his mistreatment of Joe ( Dickens 296), proving that deep down, Pip never loses his deep love for Joe. It can be safely assumed that the point that Dickens wants to make through Pip and Joe’s relationship is that family is not necessarily determined by biological connections, but by who a person is closest to and feels most comfortable sharing their life with through the best and worst times.