In the case of Magwitch, there are various changes I have noticed from Chapter 1. One of which would be the complete permutation of his manner from a sullen, grotesque character to a man of respect. I believe this is the true Magwitch and the character portrayed in Chapter 1 was only a front of a despondent man pushed to the edge of his life and hanging on with all hope left. In chapter 39 he appears calm and collected, this may be because he is tired after his long journey, but I believe that this is the true nature of the man. This is further illustrated when he is threatening Pip, he does not threaten him himself as such, he uses the idea of ‘a young man’ who travels with him who would creep into Pips room at night. This shows us that although Magwitch is desperate and is trying to put across a stern intimidating facade, he cannot actually threaten Pip himself. This extends to his speech and his body language that is also calm and collected, far from the coarse, aggressive way he reacted to Pip in Chapter 1. His body language has changed from seizing Pip by the chin with force to outstretching his arms looking for an embrace, this shows a full change of character and I believe only now Magwitch is showing his true nature not that of a desperate criminal.
In chapter 1, Magwitch is described in a way as to make the reader sympathise with him. He is described as ‘a man who has been soaked by water, and smothered in mud, and lamed by stones, and cut by flints, and stung by nettles ‘. This makes the reader grow to empathise with Magwhich even though he has behaved in the aggressive intimidating way described in the previous paragraph. This imprecise portrayal of the character does not persist in the same manner in chapter 39 as I believe Magwitch has finally achieved something worthwhile and also, almost to take a stab at society as status was so consequential in that era. If one had money then one would automatically have status, as people believed that they were better than average folk even though the wealth had not been worked for but inherited. In shaping Pip Magwitch has proved to society that anyone can be a gentleman. The fact that Pip came from a poor despondent background was inconsequential . In chapter 39 Magwitch says ‘the blood horses of them colonists might fling up the dust over me as I was walking; what do I say? I says to myself, I’m making a better gentle man nor ever you’ll be!’ This shows us that he kept this in his mind while being looked down on throughout his many years in Australia. Magwhich is obviously one of the only savoury characters in the novel as he toiled and worked all his life so that Pip could be ‘above work.’
Another complete turn around between the chapters is the roll reversal, for example in Chapter 1 Magwitch is in complete control, whereas in Chapter 39 Magwitch calls Pip ‘Sir’ and ‘Master’. Magwich then becomes repugnant to Pip who dismisses him with ‘stay’ and keep off’. He appears to be completely repulsed by one of the only true characters in the entire novel.
The narration of the first chapter is by an older wiser Pip, who describes actually seeing the error of his ways before reflecting on the events of Chapter 1.
For Pip’s character , the change between chapters is different , not one of self-deliverance, but one of denial and the effects of lost love. Chapter 39 is pivital as the true character of Pip is revealed.
He changed as he became ‘entrusted’ with Magwitch’s money. By socialising with upper class folk he became one of them. Pip was never meant to have money and consequently does not suit the society and class forced upon him tagged along with his assets. In the first chapter, even though Pip is being held upside down by Magwitch and threatened with his life he still maintains his innocent and extremely polite manner ‘ If you would kindly please to let me keep upright, sir, perhaps I shouldn’t be sick, and perhaps I could attend more’ this shows Pip in a completely different light to which he is portrayed in Chapter 39. In this chapter he appears rude and objectionable and treats Magwitch as a person lower than himself. His entire body language is described to illustrate the signs that he is unwelcome. Pip has changed severely from the small quivering, polite, young boy out on the marshes first introduced in Chapter 1.
Pip has been described as a vulnerable young boy, for example the use of the abbreviation ‘Pip’ implies immaturity and vulnerability. The description ‘ this small bundle of shivers’ illustrates to the reader, although coming across as unafraid when confronted by Magwitch Pip is actually not as strong minded and valorous as made out.
However in Chapter 39, Pip is confronted once again with Magwitch he is perplexed and once again slightly frightened of this unknown mans intrusion in the late hours of the night. This reinforces that even through wealth and prosperity, courage has not come to Pip and his one saving grace, his polite manner, has seeped away as the money has paid for his 'high flying' fake lifestyle.
In conclusion, between Chapters 1 and 39 the characters evolve and change into contradictions of their initial introduction. Their roles appear reversed with Pip the mature, rude and spiteful imitation of Magmitchs’s character.
The language used allows the reader to develop their understanding of the time and setting the characters live. It creates strong images which provide both a scene and a an emotional connection to the character. Between the two chapters this builds the intensity and drama to the revelation of Pip’s true nature.
Both characters identities have changed Magwitch from his initial portrayal to his true self and Pip to a wealthy upper class imitation of a gentleman whose innocence presented in the first chapter now replaced by arrogance.
Dickens would seem to be ‘taking a stab’ at the class system in Victorian times and the effect that money had on individuals in society. By using the bleakness of the scene in Chapter 1 and the bright beacons an element of hope is subconsciously given to the reader. The emotional journey that Pip then undertakes feels a positive turn in his life. The changes in his character and the twists in the character of Magwitch ‘the convict’ reveals the true nature of an individual cannot be measured by his wealth or position. Dickens allows the reader to see that the strive to be a gentleman is very different to that of becoming a gentle-man and this is portrayed clearly in the character of Joe Gargery.
