Pip was with Joe at the time when the two men were arrested. Magwitch noticed that Pip was with Joe and presumed that Joe was the man Pip lived with. The convict not as bad as he looks owns up for Pip saying that it was him who stole the food he said “then I’m sorry to say, I’ve eaten your pie”. Magwitch didn’t want Pip to get into trouble at home. The humble blacksmith Pips father figure replies by "god knows you're welcome to it".
The man Magwitch was fighting with Compeyson was a convict that Magwitch used to do crime with. Compeyson was a gentleman. The two men were tried in court together because of a forgery scam that the men were involved in.
The justice system favoured the rich and so Magwitch received 14 years but Compeyson only got 7 years. Compeyson had the benefit of “learning” and “public boarding school”
Compeyson’s education and gentlemanly ways convinced the judges that he was innocent. This is a point the Dickens made out about a corrupt legal system. That was why Magwitch is prepared to go to any lengths to kill Compeyson. Magwitch feels that the only way he could get justice is to take matter into his own hands.
After the soldiers had caught the two men. Magwitch is transported to Australia. When he has served his time he can make a new life there, but if he returns to England he will face a death sentence. Magwitch farmed sheep, lives cheaply and saves his money for Pip.
Pip not knowing any thing about this or the grate amount of money he will receive in the future. Pip thinking that he will not have much of a future becomes Joes apprentice
Miss Havisham a wealthy old lady who lives in a big and rather gloomy house called "Satis House" invited Pip to play at her house.
Magwitch and miss Havisham are connected in more ways than being pips supposed and real benefactor. Miss Havisham was abandoned by her fiancé at the altar. Her fiancé was Compeyson, the convict that we came across at the start of the novel fighting Magwitch. Miss Havisham was heart broken and turned into a cold and bitter old woman. Who seek revenge on men all together.
She adopted Estella and raised her in her own way. She taught Estella to be cruel to men and break their hearts. Make them feel pain like she once felt. She used Estella to block her anger, frustration and pain. Estella became Miss Havisham 's weapon of revenge against men.
Pip is dazzled by Estella beauty, but is looked down on by her. Pip tries to change himself to fit a sort of mould like a gentleman that he thought Estella desired so she would notice him. Pip is confused with Estella actions on page 104 she said to him " Come here! You may kiss me if you like."
Miss Havisham adopted Estella. Estella’s original mother and father were Magwitch and Molly. Molly was Mr Jagger’s head housekeeper. Magwitch was fond of the child and was one the proudest moments of his life.
A while later when Pip is in his teens about 16 he hears good news from this gentleman Mr. Jaggers. Pip comes into a large amount of money from a benefactor. The benefactor being Magwitch but Pip is unaware of this. Pip seems to think that it was Miss Havisham. And she didn’t put him straight that it’s not her.
Magwitch appointed Mr Jaggers a lawyer to be Pips guardian. Pip moves to London to live his dreams of becoming a gentleman. Mr Jaggers takes care of Pip.
Pip now a proper gentleman and older, the man that Pip as a child once feel compassion for returns. Magwitch tells Pip that he is Pip's benefactor. Pip found the man repulsive, he was horrified and pushes Magwitch away. Pip had become quite snobbish over the years after he move to London.
Pip wanted Miss Havisham to have been his benefactor. He thought him and Estella were meant to be.
Magwitch had been sent to Australia to work, and if he ever returned to Britain he would be sentenced for death. Pip did not expect a convict to be his benefactor he couldn’t image such a dirty, poor, old man to give him that much amount of money.
He wanted to get rid of Magwitch as soon as possible. However pip develops a real affection for Magwitch. Magwitch tell pip about Compeyson the man who made Miss Havisham the way she is.
Pip gradually becomes fond of Magwitch. Pip tries to help Magwitch by smuggling him out of London by sea. As they were doing this they were being watched by Compeyson- who is terrified of Magwitch. As they are about to get on to the steamer, Magwitch fights Compeyson the two men fall in to the sea in the struggle Compeyson drowns.
Pip dives in to the sea to rescue Magwitch. Once they are on dry land the escape failed and Magwitch is found guilty of returning to England. He was sentenced to death but he was dying anyway. He had caught something in the polluted sea; he swallowed the dirty water and became ill.
Pip nurses Magwitch and starts to love Magwitch. Pip learns that Magwitch grew up without parents in a brutal society. Society did little for him. He blames society it forced him into becoming involved with some dodgy people.
By Magwitch returning pip realises that he has mistreated those who were truly dear to him, like Joe who is always faithful towards Pip.
The courts are incapable of showing compassion. Magwitch came back to Britain out of love for Pip. Eventually Pip learns that Magwitch has been generous towards him so he feels the need to return it. Pip realises that Magwitch is also human.
Pip understands the true depth of the sacrifice that Magwitch has made for him. Pip is made to un-learn every thing that he has learnt to re-discover the importance of human relations.
Dickens gave pip a chance to become more than he is only to have reverted back to the old kind and pleasant Pip. Pip learns that he cannot change who he is inside from Magwitch.
Magwitch uses Pip as his revenge on Society. He uses pip like a doll and moulded it into a gentleman. Compeyson got a lighter sentence because of his status he wanted pip to have the same advantage. Dickens tries to tell us something about the legal system at the time in the twentieth century.
However Magwitch 's motives were not only revenge but also gratitude for the food Pip gave him. Pip could have turned a blind eye to Magwitch when he was in his hour of need. Magwitch develops a fatherly affection towards Pip. Magwitch relates pip to his daughter who he lost. Magwitch though that his little girl had been killed but pip told him that she was well and he was in love with her.
Magwitch teaches pip that there are two meanings behind the term “Gentleman” 1. Is the status and class.
2. Is virtue and honesty.
Pip realises that Joe has always been a gentleman all along without pip knowing. Joe is a typically gentle giant. Joe helps pip get out of prison and helps pip get out of debt with his honest earned money. He handed over the money without a second thought. The honest, simple and humble blacksmith is the true gentleman. Magwitch helps pip to see this.
