In contrast, Jaggers’s house is oppressive and dark, shared only with a gloomy housekeeper, Molly. Jaggers’ life is his work, which is clear because his house is in need of repair. At the dinner, instead of having a lovingly casual conversation, Jaggers dissects the psyches of the young men, getting them to reveal their flaws (“he wrenched the weakest part of our dispositions out of us”). Drummle especially interests him and later Jaggers tells Pip he likes the man because Drummle is one of the "true sort." The lawyer's interest in Drummle is probably a professional one. He compares Drummle to a "spider", an insect which predates and associated with evilness and darkness, shows that he is sharp in seeing people and is very perspective in observing people’s personality. However, at the same time, it reflex on his lack of love for the others as he dose not treat people as human, but of insects, something lower than him in status and can be easily manipulated. His profession makes him cold and inhumane to the others. His inconsideration and disrespect to the others are shown through his treatment to his servant, which is harsh and cold. He likes to hold Molly “in suspense, commands her to show how “muscular” her arms are even when she dose not want to. A methodical, disciplined man, Jaggers promptly ends the dinner at nine-thirty to return to work. The meal at Jaggers’ house is full of conflicts and rejection. The guests only appeared to be happy but are not really happy. The comparison of Drummle, a supposedly high class noble people to a spider highlights the fact that Drummle is not noble in personality but only appeared to be noble due to his status. Materialistic pursues drive people cold and deprive them of love and happiness. Same as Wemmick, Jaggers himself dose not feel good about his career, Pip observes Jaggers washing his hands of them. The hand-washing, gargling, finger-nail cleaning ritual is likely Jaggers' way (his only way) of separating himself from the criminal world of his office and from any emotional attachments in his life.
Pip’s first meal with Herbert is a bridge to their friendship. Herbert is a genial friend who is open to conversation and is willing to share with his friend anything he knows. Herbert is willing to help Pip to become a gentleman and subtly corrects Pip’s poor table manners, (“he offered these friendly suggestions in such a lively way, that we both laughed and I scarcely”). He asks Pip to call his Christian name and gives him the nickname “Handel,” and tells him the whole story of Miss Havisham. It is obvious that Herbert’s friendliness makes Pip to feel very comfortable while having the meal with him as Pip has commanded that Herbert is “extremely amiable and cheerful”. We notice that although they are having a dinner together, that is hardly any description on the food itself, The older Pip as the narrator, is engrossed in telling us about Pip’s communication with Herbert that he forgets to even mention about the taste of the food. This meal signifies the beginning of Pip and Herbert’s sincere and cordial friendship.
In contrast, Joe’s visit is a nightmare for both Joe and Pip. Joe is not proud, but wants to be correct, so he is dressed in his uncomfortable Sunday clothes. He addresses Pip as “Sir,” which irritates Pip. And he keeps fidgeting with his hat, which Pip refers to sarcastically in the book as the “bird’s nest.” Joe’s lack of sophistication shows in his table manners. In Joe’s visit, Pip is in the position of Herbert, who is supposed to welcome Joe heartily and teach him the table manners without embarrassing him. However, Pip is so snobbish that he looks down on his childhood friend and do not have the intention of having any sincere communication with Joe. In contrast to the meal Pip had with Herbert, which the older Pip recalls “he (Herbert) was so communicative, I felt that reserve on my part would be a bad return unsuited to our years.” Pip is not communicative to Joe at all. Hen in return, . Joe leaves with his dignity intact, delivering his message and departing quickly. Although Joe is angry with Pumblechook for going about town pretending that he was Pip’s childhood playfellow, he says, “though it signify little now, Sir.” Joe knows things have changed, the past is past, and none of that means much anymore to Pip. This is a sad scene highlighting how turning into a “gentleman” has caused Pip to become cold and insincere, even to his best friend of childhood. Compared to Herbert who played the same role as the host when Pip first came to London, Pip proves himself not a true “gentleman”. This again emphasized the idea that nobility comes within an individual, and it is one’s inner goodness that make him shine.
Dickens’ descriptions and contrast of several meals give us opportunities to observe the conversations among the characters, shows their personalities through their conversation and their actions. Through these scenes, we get a better understanding of different characters and at the same time, we have a better understanding of the message Dickens trying to convey---it is futile to try to obtain nobility and happiness by materialistic means, for they both come from simplicity and one’s inner goodness.
