There is a lot of love and understanding in their relationship. It shows this when Pip doesn’t look down on Joe, when he knows that Joe can’t read and he can. This also shows that Pip cares a lot for Joe, and because Pip cares so much he offers to teach him to read.
Joe loves Pip like a son. He shows his love when he persuades Mrs Joe Gargery to have him living with them. He says ‘Theres room for him at the forge’. This also shows that Joe cares for Pip more than Mrs Joe Gargery (Pip’s sister).
Joe and Pip have a very close bond, and they both find it easy to share their feelings. There is a lot of love when Joe says ‘Ever the best of friends; aint us Pip?’. Pip agrees with this by hugging Joe and crying. This shows how Pip expresses his emotions towards Joe, and they obviously have a close relationship.
Joe and Pip’s relationship is brought closer when Mrs Joe Gargery doesn’t want Joe to learn, ‘no scholars’. So when Pip wants to teach Joe without her finding out, it is like a special secret, that only Pip and Joe know about. This brings them closer together, as they both share something special.
Joe and Pip are not afraid of showing how close their relationship is. They do this whilst having dinner. They talk over the table, this shows a strong bond between them. It is also like a link or a special connection between the two of them.
When Pip has to leave, to go to Miss Havisham’s house, he finds it hard to say goodbye to Joe. He has never parted from Joe before and it is like the strong bond between them suddenly starting to weaken.
As Pip grows older, becoming more of a gentleman, he grows further and further appart from Joe. This becomes a problem, as they now feel awkward to be in each other’s presence.
Joe feels that he has to now ask for permission to see Pip. In the letter from Pip to Joe it says ‘Dear Mr Pip’. This shows that Joe isn’t as close to Pip as he used to be, as he now calls him Mr Pip, which is more formal. Joe also calls himself an ‘affectionate servant’. This shows the social divide between Joe and Pip. It also shows that the relationship has changed dramatically and their relationship isn’t based on love anymore. The letter also mensions ‘What larks’. This reminds Pip of the close, loving relationship they used to share.
Pip has changed a lot now and doesn’t want to see Joe. He is also not looking forward to Joe visiting. Pip knows that Joe wont fit in, this makes Pip more unconfortable and he is embarrassed at the thought of Joe meeting his friends.
When Joe arrives, Pip describes him as ‘clumsey’. This negative description says that Pip is ashamed. Pip is embarrassed again when Joe continuously wipes his feet. There is definate awkwardness between Pip and Joe.
Joe is constantly making the effort to impress Pip. He does this by trying to speak poshly. It shows this by purposely misspelling ‘AIR’. Pip just feels uneasy by this. There is no ease in their relationship, which puts a big strain on both Pip and Joe.
Because Joe was not brought up as a gentleman, he does not have any manners. So, when he arrives at Pip’s and refuses to let go of his hat, this doesn’t surprise Pip, but it does make him feel embarrassed. Pip also feels embarrassed when Joe calls him ‘Sir’. This shows how their loving relationship has turned into one that has become a great strain for them both. Pip tries to ease the situation by saying ‘how can you call me Sir?’. But both men know that the original relationship can not be revived.
Joe tries to be a gentleman by showing Pip he has manners. He does this when he puts his hat on the fireplace. Again Pip feels discomforted by this. The matter is made worse when his hat falls off and he puts it back in the same place. This creates an even more awkward atmosphere.
Joe tries to impress Pip with his formal language, he says ‘architectooralooral’. He says this to try and releive the tension between them. But Pip continues to be embarrassed. Pip is ashamed to be in company with Joe, because of Joe’s clothing.
Pip is relieved when Herbert leaves, because he is ashamed of Joe’s manners whilst eating. But because Joe is trying his best, he ignores the problem.
Joe soon feels awkward and wants to leave. He says ‘Sir...’. This shows that he wants to diffuse the situation politely. Joe soon realises that him and Pip are wrong together in London. Joe says that he belongs in the ‘forge’. This reminds Pip of their past relationship and how close they used to be. When Joe leaves, Pip is left with his new life. So the relationship has become even weaker and it is near to the end.
Overall, the relationship between Pip and Joe has severly changed. They used to have a strong bond and they used to care for each other a lot. But as Pip grew older and as he became more of a gentleman, they soon grew appart, and that spaecial bond was broken. Eventhough they still do care for each other, it is just not shown.
