There is no hint when you are first introduced to Magwhich that he will become a positive influence on the main character, Pip, and his development into a “gentleman”. In fact Dickens shows quite an opposite side of Magwhich, he shows a frightening man who seizes hold of pip and threatens him with “ Keep still, you little devil, or I’ll cut your throat” in the crematory. Although it’s strange that seeing as Magwhich is a powerfully built man, he does not hurt Pip, this is the first hint in the book that there is more to Magwhich than it seems.
Dickens had his own experiences of the law when he was young, this gave him a good understanding of the law, which most middle class people at that time did not have. Through Magwhich we are shown that the legal system in the early nineteenth century worked against the poor and uneducated. Magwhich is the character who lets the author comment on the legal system in England at that time. Compeyson was able to wriggle his way free, while Magwhich suffered the full penalties for his crimes. He makes Compeyson pay the ultimate price for his past crimes, which the legal system has failed to do. Magwhich is an instrument of justice in this way.
Throughout the story Magwhich’s changes are juxtaposed with Pips, for example, while Magwhich is out working hard, earning a living for Pip, Pip is becoming more snobbish and arrogant as time passes and he is turning into a “gentleman”. Magwhich and Pip both influence each others changes throughout their journey together. By the end of the book they are two completely different people compared to how they were at the beginning, when they first met. At first Magwhich appears fierce and frightening but by the end he has softened into a hard working, warm hearted, generous human and Pip began as a nervous young boy, who turned into a charming, mature “gentleman”
In conclusion the character of Abel Magwhich is really crucial to the development of the whole story. He leads Pip towards his “great expectations”, it is his wish to turn Pip into a gentleman and revenge himself on society and this is what makes the plot unfold. Magwhich keeps his real identity a secret, this intrigues the reader to know the real benefactor of Pip. Both Pip and Magwhich come from humble backgrounds and they both rise to a higher status in Victorian society, despite their low origins. In the end the reader feels sympathy towards Magwhich whose character unfolds to reveal a sensitive and vulnerable human being.
