Through chapters forty eight through fifty of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, one passage embodies Pip’s exhausting desire to improve himself, an overarching theme of the bildungsroman novel. During the three chapters, Pip returns to the Satis House to convince Miss Havisham to finish anonymously subsidizing Herbert’s endeavors. During their conversation in front of the burning hearth, Miss Havisham expresses her regret for moulding Estella for vengeance, using Estella to break Pip’s heart, and wishes to reconcile with Pip through the words, “”If you can ever write under my name, ‘I forgive her’, though ever so long after my broken heart is dust - pray do it”” (Dickens 311-312). Pip’s response is the most significant passage in the chapters, and he utters, “O Miss Havisham...I can do it now. There have been sore mistakes; and
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In Pip’s response to Miss Havisham’s plea, the reader learns that Pip has realized that improvement does not have its origins from wealth or status, but from one’s treatment regarding others. In this focal point, Pip leaves behind the selfish and shameful boy of the past, and steps forward, choosing to forgive the deranged woman who tormented him throughout his childhood and adulthood. Pip’s rebirth is physically embodied in the novel, because when Miss Havisham is consumed in flames, Pip rescues her and is burned as well. The fire signifies how Miss Havisham has been reborn after realizing the mistakes she made regarding Estella, and also points to how Pip has began to undergo a transformational purpose, as he has also been affected by the flames. The passage that describes Pip’s choice to forgive Miss Havisham marks the beginning of Pip’s journey towards self improvement, instead of improvement through wealth or
In Pip’s response to Miss Havisham’s plea, the reader learns that Pip has realized that improvement does not have its origins from wealth or status, but from one’s treatment regarding others. In this focal point, Pip leaves behind the selfish and shameful boy of the past, and steps forward, choosing to forgive the deranged woman who tormented him throughout his childhood and adulthood. Pip’s rebirth is physically embodied in the novel, because when Miss Havisham is consumed in flames, Pip rescues her and is burned as well. The fire signifies how Miss Havisham has been reborn after realizing the mistakes she made regarding Estella, and also points to how Pip has began to undergo a transformational purpose, as he has also been affected by the flames. The passage that describes Pip’s choice to forgive Miss Havisham marks the beginning of Pip’s journey towards self improvement, instead of improvement through wealth or