In this chapter we also meet Magwitch, the convict. He is portrayed as a dark man, who is dressed in rags and has no hat on, showing he has no money and is not a gentleman. Dickens also describes him by writing that he was “soaked in water, smothered in mud, lamed by stones, cut by flints, stung by nettles and torn by briars” this use of powerful verbs gives the reader an image of a dark, scruffy man who had travelled and been through a lot and does not have a lot of money. Also this gives a picture of a man who has committed a serious crime and has done a lot of time in prison for it. The convict says to Pip “Keep still you little devil or ill cut your throat” with Pip replying “O! Don’t cut my throat sir” to give the impression that this man is dark and violent, Pips reaction shows that this man could be dangerous.
Dickens uses powerful language to describe the sea, “and it is described as a distance savage lair”, which gives an air of suspense, creating the image of the sea being home of a savage beast that will attack anything in its territory. By using this language he indicates that Pip is in a hostile situation, which creates a picture of a savage land that it is dull and cold with no life and the setting is gloomy, and this creates atmosphere and tension.
The circumstances in chapter 39 have changed allot. Pip has become a wealthy gentleman, as a result of an anonymous source who has been feeding him money. Joe, his previous guardian, comes to visit him. Pip’s hostility towards Joe shows that he has changed a lot, from a little boy who respected Joe to a gentleman who thinks he is of high importance, and people should respect him. Pip use to look up to Joe as a father, but he does not anymore and he has become an upper class gentleman. We know this because the extract says “Yes I wish to come in master, said Joe”. It becomes clear that Magwitch is the cause of Pip’s great fortune. The setting has altered a lot from chapter 1. It is set in a nice apartment, with only one light on which creates a soft atmosphere and the mood is much lighter than in chapter 1. We know this because the first chapter is set in a dark and bleak place and chapter 39 is set in London.
I have learnt about the historical context of 19th century life. Infant mortality was very high compared to deaths today. In the 19th century there was only a 50% chance of children reaching their 5th birthday, which is an enormous difference to today, with 98% of children reaching the age of 5. Prison life was also very different, the prisoners were treated cruelly and they were made to consistently wear the same clothes, and heavy iron chains were attached to their legs.
Charles Dickens gives many messages throughout the novel, the main one being not to ‘judge a book by its cover’. Charles Dickens expresses this by making us believe that Magwitch is a monstrous person; however we learn that the convict is a kind and generous person.