Great Expectations Fear Analysis

Fear overcomes Pip many times in the story due to the people he encounters at certain places. In particular, the marshes create a suspenseful mood, because Pip always risks death due to the people he meets, especially the convict Pip first encounters in the novel. When the convict chases, violently shakes and yells at Pip, Pip thinks of him as a “fearful man” who threatens that if Pip ignores his orders, “[he’ll] have [Pip’s] heart and liver out” (3). The convict threatens to kill Pip if he ignores his orders or turns him in to the police. To get the file and victuals for the convict, Pip must steal from his sister Mrs. Joe, who he fears, and brother-in-law Joe, who he loves unconditionally. However, despite how intimidating Mrs. Joe seems and how much Pip loves Joe, Pip obeys …show more content…
Pip storms out of the Temple (Pip’s home) and trips over someone down the stairs. No one recognizes who walked in with Magwitch, and Wemmick tells Pip someone secretly stalks Pip and the Temple. At this moment, Pip feels anxious that this man will catch Magwitch and turn him in to the police. The Temple, Pip’s home suddenly feels very uncomfortable and Pip senses danger. From this moment on, Pip feels nervous and uneasy every time he stays at home, out of fear. Lastly, Pip feels fear in Jaggers’ office, as he describes it as a dark and uncomfortable environment. Pip believes all of his clients try to back up as far away from Jaggers and his desk, for the wall shined from the grease of their shoulders the heads of Jaggers’ failed cases line up on the walls. As well as his office, Jaggers’ personality has a harsh tone that appeals to few people, which causes Pip to sense fear whenever he meets with Jaggers in his office. Pip visits Jaggers few times in the book, and the deadly and cold atmosphere expresses an unwelcome and terrifying feeling that Jaggers shows no mercy. Overall, many places Pip visits make Pip to feel scared and nervous, which causes the the story to