Chapter 7 - Great Expectations Audiobook (7/59)

Summary

In Chapter 7 of 'Great Expectations,' young Pip recounts his limited education and menial tasks at Joe's forge. He describes his relationship with Joe and Biddy, the girl from the night school. Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe, is strict and domineering. A surprising opportunity arises for Pip to visit the mysterious Miss Havisham, a wealthy recluse who wants him to play at her home. Despite his confusion, Pip is sent off by Uncle Pumblechook, setting the stage for his future adventures.

Takeaways

• 📖 The narrator, Pip, is learning to read and write with the help of Biddy and Joe, indicating his educational progress.
• 🏡 Joe, Pip's brother-in-law, is depicted as a kind-hearted blacksmith who didn't receive much education due to his father's abusive behavior.
• 👵 Joe's father was an alcoholic who physically abused his family, which disrupted Joe's schooling and his mother's attempts to provide him with an education.
• 👦 Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe, is described as a strict and domineering figure who exerts control over Joe and Pip.
• 🏚️ Miss Havisham is mentioned as a wealthy and reclusive woman who lives in a large, gloomy house, suggesting a mysterious and potentially significant character in the story.
• 🎪 Pip is sent to Miss Havisham's house to 'play,' which implies that he might be a companion or a source of amusement for Miss Havisham.
• 👕 Pip undergoes a rigorous cleaning process and is dressed in his best clothes before being sent to Miss Havisham's, indicating the importance of the visit.
• 🚌 Uncle Pumblechook plays a role in arranging Pip's visit to Miss Havisham, showing his involvement in Pip's life and possibly his ambitions for the boy.
• 🤝 Joe and Pip share a close bond, as evidenced by their emotional farewell, highlighting the warmth and affection between them.
• 🌌 Pip reflects on the harshness of the marshes and the cold night, which sets a foreboding tone for his upcoming visit to Miss Havisham.

Q & A

What was Pip's initial understanding of the phrase 'wife of the Above' found on tombstones?

Pip initially misunderstood the phrase 'wife of the Above' as a reference to his father being exalted to a better world.

What did Pip believe he had to do every day as per his Catechism?

Pip thought that his declaration in the Catechism to 'walk in the same all the days of my life' meant he had to always walk through the village in one particular direction and never vary his route.

What was the actual purpose of the money-box kept on the kitchen mantel-shelf?

The money-box was where all of Pip's earnings were publicly dropped, with the impression that they might eventually contribute towards the liquidation of the National Debt, though Pip had no hope of any personal participation in the treasure.

How did Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt's evening school operate?

Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt's evening school was more of a place for her to sleep while students paid to see her do so. There was a fiction that Mr. Wopsle examined the scholars once a quarter by reciting dramatic pieces.

What was Biddy's role in Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt's household?

Biddy was Mr. Wopsle's great-aunt's granddaughter and managed the transactions in the small general shop attached to the educational institution, using a greasy memorandum-book as a catalogue of prices.

What was Pip's struggle with learning the alphabet and numbers?

Pip struggled through the alphabet as if it were a bramble-bush, getting worried and scratched by every letter. He also found the nine figures to be like thieves who disguised themselves every evening to baffle recognition.

What did Pip write in his letter to Joe and why was it significant?

Pip wrote a letter to Joe expressing his hope that Joe would write well and that he would soon be able to teach Joe. The letter was significant because it showed Pip's progress in learning to read and write, and his desire to share this with Joe.

Why did Joe never learn to read according to his explanation to Pip?

Joe explained that his father was given to drink and would hammer away at Joe and his mother when drunk. They would run away, and Joe's mother would put him in school, but his father would always find them, take them home, and continue the abuse, which was a drawback on Joe's learning.

What was Joe's attitude towards his father despite his abusive behavior?

Despite his father's abusive behavior, Joe still considered him good in his heart and even composed a couplet for his tombstone that acknowledged his father's failings but emphasized his good heart.

Why did Joe want to learn from Pip and what did he fear Mrs. Joe's reaction would be?

Joe wanted to learn from Pip because he was interested in reading and wanted to improve his literacy. He feared that Mrs. Joe would not be supportive because she was not partial to having scholars in the house and might see Joe's learning as a threat to her control over him.

What was the plan for Pip regarding Miss Havisham and how did it come about?

The plan was for Pip to go to Miss Havisham's house to play, as she wanted a boy to do so. The opportunity came about because Uncle Pumblechook, who was a tenant of Miss Havisham and visited her to pay rent, mentioned Pip to her.