Mia Marino Per. 14/15 English 2 H.

Great Expectations Essay The thread of magnanimity seems to be a common theme in Charles Dickens writing. Take for example magnanimity shown toward Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens 'A Christmas Carol'. Scrooge was left alone on Christmas Eve in his boarding school, which caused his sour attitude for Christmas and anyone celebrating the holiday. Tiny Tim wished well to everyone, even Scrooge, when he least deserved it. Estella from the Dickens novel 'Great Expectations' does not differ much from Ebenezer Scrooge. Estella was adopted by Mrs. Havisham, a woman betrayed by her husband-to-be on their wedding day. Mrs. Havisham raised Estella to torment men, and break their hearts much like hers was. Mrs. Havishams cruel intentions worked until a young boy, Pip, came to play at her house immediately taking a likeness to Estella. When Pip first arrived Estella was ordered to play with him to which she responded Why he is a common laboring boy! (62). No matter how much Estella put Pip down he still had affections toward her, and saw some good inside of her. Look hard enough at somebody, good and bad, and most people will find more good than bad.

Another example of magnanimity in 'Great Expectations' is between Mrs Joe and Joe Gargery. Mrs Joe has the role of a cruel woman who wants the power of not only her household, but also her husband, Joe, and her younger brother, Pip. Mrs Joe has shown repeatedly that she must be 'in the know' about anything and everything under her roof. 'What's the matter now?' She said smartly as she put down her cup. (10). Mrs Joe was referring to the looks Joe and Pip gave each other regarding the bread Pip stashed in his sock. Shortly after that she proceeded to get up and hit Joes head. However Joe never said nor did anything back to her. Unfortunately Mrs Joe behaved like this most of the time making her easily unlikeable. Although Mrs. Joe had a not-so-great attitude, Joe still loved her and

managed to find the good in her. Even if that good lay hidden deep inside her. Your sister is a fine figure of a woman. (49). Joe says to Pip. Pip is puzzled that Joe can find any good whatsoever in Mrs. Joe. Later on in the novel Pip learns just how Joe saw through Mrs. Joes hard shell.

Magnanimity carries on through the novel as Pip grows older and learns that the convict, Magwitch, is his benefactor and not Mrs. Havisham. And my blood again ran cold when he again took me by both hands to give me goodnight. I got away from him, without knowing how I did it. (343). Magwitch is aware of Pips dismay of finding out who his real benefactor is. However he still treats Pip well . Look'ee here, Pip. I'm your second father. You're my son-more to me nor any son. (298). Magwitch expressed to Pip that he felt as if Pip was his son, and still felt that way even if Pip dismissed and ignored it in the first place. Pip could not bring himself to accept Magwitch as his benefactor and not Mrs. Havisham because Pip lived his whole life with the idea that Mrs. Havisham supported him financially. Once again it is shown that if a character can truly see the good in a person the way someone acts does not necessarily affect the way others feel about them.

The final example of magnanimity in the novel once again brings the attention towards Pip and Estella, only as adults. Pip sees Estella showing interest in Bentley Drummle and forms a sort of jealousy. As he pretended not to see me, I pretended not to see him. (277). This encounter is almost child-like, both of them pretending not to notice each other because they both show interest in the same girl. To Pips dismay he not only has to worry about Drummles interest in Estella, but also Estellas interest in Drummle. Why not tell you the truth? I am going to be married to him. (286). Although Estella is going to be married to Drummle Pip is still determined to win her heart. Regardless of all the ways Estella mistreated Pip in the past and the present he is still very in love with her. Pip sees the good that not many other people will see.

In conclusion the common theme of magnanimity runs through Dickens works. Dickens develops his characters with major flaws and goodness as if they were real people. Dickens teaches that the experiences of childhood, and the interactions with adults are the major contributing factors of magnanimity throughout these characters. Things experienced as impressionable children can have lasting effects from childhood through adulthood. Dickens shows that both Mrs. Joe and Estella were shaped by previous incidents of their childhood. Antagonists are shaped negatively and protagonists have a great capacity for empathy and are shaped positively.