Essayist Henry David Thoreau once said, “Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.” In other words, it is better to do the right thing with specific purpose then to always do what may seem right for no valid reason. This quote discusses the goal of being a moral person, being good for the good of something. In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, one can question the morals of many characters, especially cold Mr Jaggers. He has the appearance of a cold, stiff person. Mr Jaggers is a central character in the novel because he has a connection to every major character. In addition to his web of relationships, he informs Pip of his expectations and serves as
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After it is revealed that Magwitch is Pip’s benefactor, he speaks with Jaggers at his office in an effort to learn more about this mysterious man. He gives Pip a piece of insight saying “‘Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better rule.’”(382). This piece of advice reveals the thought process of Mr Jaggers. The choices Jaggers has to make can have great effects on the people that are his clients. He is able to evaluate the situations he comes across while remaining compassionate. Most importantly, he is moral with every decision, taking into consideration only fact, not allowing immoral outside forces to influence him. Jaggers’ justified advice to Pip asserts his …show more content…
His morality is shown by his frequent hand washing because he attempts to wash away the immoral acts of his successful career. It is when Pip dines at Jaggers’ house he observes the great importance of washing his hands. “My guardian was in his room, washing his hands with scented soap”(251). Pip further observes the closet in his room for the sole purpose of hand washing, which “smelt of scented soap like a perfumer’s shop”(251). There was a large towel where he would dry his hands “whenever he came in from a police court or dismissed a client from his room”(251). When Pip and his friends join Mr Jaggers for dinner one evening they determined he had been working on “a case of darker complexion than usual”(251). Pip recalls that they found him with his head in the closet, “not only washing his hands, but laving his face and gargling his throat”(251). It is seen that this action was not enough as Mr Jaggers proceeded and “took out his penknife and scraped the case out of his nails before he put his coat on”(251). Jaggers is a defense lawyer but the greatest prosecution he faces is that of the immoral retribution of his job he faces clinging onto him like dirt. The act of his vigorous hand washing proves he is moral because he does all that he can to get rid of the immoral “dirt” of his
After it is revealed that Magwitch is Pip’s benefactor, he speaks with Jaggers at his office in an effort to learn more about this mysterious man. He gives Pip a piece of insight saying “‘Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better rule.’”(382). This piece of advice reveals the thought process of Mr Jaggers. The choices Jaggers has to make can have great effects on the people that are his clients. He is able to evaluate the situations he comes across while remaining compassionate. Most importantly, he is moral with every decision, taking into consideration only fact, not allowing immoral outside forces to influence him. Jaggers’ justified advice to Pip asserts his …show more content…
His morality is shown by his frequent hand washing because he attempts to wash away the immoral acts of his successful career. It is when Pip dines at Jaggers’ house he observes the great importance of washing his hands. “My guardian was in his room, washing his hands with scented soap”(251). Pip further observes the closet in his room for the sole purpose of hand washing, which “smelt of scented soap like a perfumer’s shop”(251). There was a large towel where he would dry his hands “whenever he came in from a police court or dismissed a client from his room”(251). When Pip and his friends join Mr Jaggers for dinner one evening they determined he had been working on “a case of darker complexion than usual”(251). Pip recalls that they found him with his head in the closet, “not only washing his hands, but laving his face and gargling his throat”(251). It is seen that this action was not enough as Mr Jaggers proceeded and “took out his penknife and scraped the case out of his nails before he put his coat on”(251). Jaggers is a defense lawyer but the greatest prosecution he faces is that of the immoral retribution of his job he faces clinging onto him like dirt. The act of his vigorous hand washing proves he is moral because he does all that he can to get rid of the immoral “dirt” of his