Joe Gargery Character Analysis in Great Expectations

📌Category: Books, Dickens, Great Expectations, Writers
📌Words: 1080
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 22 January 2022

Joe Gargery is easily one of the most likable characters in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations”, whereas his adopted son Pip - for most of the novel - is arrogant and selfish.  The beginning of “Great Expectations” introduces Pip and Joe as essentially the same personality in different stages of life.  Pip and Joe grow apart, physically and emotionally, as Pip receives his inheritance living large in London.  Pip abandons his roots for an unreachable lover whereas Joe loyally sticks to his lot in life with the best attitude a man could have, enduring an abusive relationship for Pip.  Essentially, both men show two different paths to take for the loved ones in their heart.  Despite the few times Joe reenters the narrative, Joe is the cornerstone for Pip in the whole novel.  Through the novel, Joe is both Pip’s first and last friend.  

There is no surprise to know Pip’s life is filled to bursting with expectations, each one surprisingly given to him by some outside force.  Joe gave Pip his first expectation - apprenticeship in the smithy.  Early memories reveal Joe’s excitement for Pip’s apprenticeship and Pip’s subsequent uptake of this ‘expectation’ of pleasing Joe.  Pip attempts to write a short note to Joe, referencing an earlier conversation they had together about ‘what larks’ they are bound to have working together (Dickens 34).  The actual note is incredibly pathetic in grammar and spelling but Joe receives it with such pride and is so impressed, Pip is instilled with a greater confidence in his abilities.  Joe’s praise is vital to Pip, not only because Joe is the only one who currently cares for Pip, but also because Joe is giving Pip the first seed of turning others’ potential goals into expectations for himself.  Additionally, in the same scene, Joe tells Pip “What a scholar you are!”, to which Pip replies “I should like to be” (Dickens 34).  Joe’s obvious pride in Pip’s learning gives Pip the spur he needs to look beyond.  He will not need to write to be a blacksmith, but Joe has helped plant confidence for Pip to elevate his learning beyond his circumstance - a common theme for Pip.  Joe is the very man who started Pip on his personal improvement project, the very man who gave him the spark of pleasant ambition.  Pip now had the choice to let it become a refiner’s fire for self advancement or a devouring bonfire of greedy aspirations.  

The introduction of both Estellas Havisham creates the first turn of Pip’s character for the worse and sets Joe and Pip at moral odds - Pip begins his path to a devouring bonfire. Pip comes home with the most outrageous lies of Miss Havisham’s estate, and with this red flag to a road of wickedness, Joe gives the only thing expected of a good friend - sensible advice.  Joe’s lack of  formal education does not prevent this statement of pure wisdom from spilling forth; “ ‘If you can’t get to be oncommon through going straight, you’ll never get to do it going crooked… live well and die happy’ ” (Dickens 55).  Joe can sense the unhappiness Pip will bring upon himself by creating a lie to impress others.  Joe himself has lived a life seeking the best in others, even if no one else will and in doing so, reminding Pip that the good inside is what brings lasting happiness.  Whilst Pip is away in London, Joe visits the self-important, condescending man his little friend has grown into.  Pip writes and visits his old friend only when necessary and Joe, in spite of this, forgives Pip, essentially telling Pip that people grow apart as a way of life and even though Pip must not feel any obligation to his ‘shameful’ origins, he should know he is welcome home and loved by Joe any time.  In fact, Joe’s words in this moment mirror what Pip tells Estella when he confesses love and tells her he must move on, Joe saying “ ‘And so, GOD bless you, dear old Pip, old chap, GOD bless you!’ ” (Dickens 175).  This incredible moment of love and growth is not realized in the whole part by Pip until years later, when he has grown much wiser.  At this point in their relationship Joe and Pip must grow apart for Joe to let Pip become better on his own and plant that next seed of little Pip’s development.  Joe has given Pip early seeds to combat the hurt Pip is causing himself through unhealthy obsessions.

Ironically, the young man with all the tools of kindness to help him combat the evils of greed, ultimately had to choose to change the consistent behaviours of his life to return to his humble but holier roots.  Uncle Pumblechook, an utterly ridiculous man, gave readers an intelligent analysis of the book he is part of when he references the story of the Prodigal Son with a focus on Pip (Dickens 20).  Although Pip did not literally gamble away all his money and spend his days with pigs, Pip spent time wallowing with his own emotional pigs of jealousy, shame, and pride.  He humbled himself after letting go of the vise his expectations had become, finally coming home to and finding reconciliation with the father figure in his life, Joe.  Joe welcomes Pip back into his life with open arms, never once giving bitterness, no matter how deserved, even paying off Pip’s debts and staying with the grown young man during great sickness so that he could see a friendly face when he healed (Dickens 363).  Joe once again gives Pip a constant stream of love and kindness, giving him all that had been missed in the days of Pip’s arrogance.  Joe is the friend Pip needs to forgive him in the story's end.  Joe’s forgiveness brings the circle to a close and, as the angel of Pip’s well being, offers Pip his last seed - the seed of redemption.  All Pip must do now is plant it unto himself.

Charles Dickens has created a masterpiece paralleling life through the relationship between two characters.  Pip and Joe are brothers of the same spirit, each walking paths the other had all potential to take.  The tale of brotherhood and forgiveness emanating from the two is decidedly inspired literature and the surrounding events merely the beautiful backdrop to such love.  Through their story, Dickens reminds his readers of what truely matters - grace for one another.  People are messy.  People are unkind.  In the end, what defines people will not be their grandeur or vast intellectual learnings.  In the end, it will be the chance each person has to receive and give grace that will define who they truly are.

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