Chapter 6 - Great Expectations Audiobook (6/59)

Summary

In Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations,' Chapter 6, the protagonist grapples with guilt over a crime he didn't commit, feeling conflicted about confessing to Joe. Fearful of losing Joe's trust, he remains silent. Meanwhile, Joe carries him home from a journey, and they encounter Mr. Wopsle in a foul mood. Theories about a convict's entry into the pantry are discussed, with Mr. Pumblechook's gaining acceptance. The chapter ends with the protagonist reflecting on his internal struggle and the lasting impact of his decision.

Takeaways

• 😌 The protagonist feels relief from being wrongly accused of theft but still grapples with guilt.
• ❤️ The narrator has a deep affection for Joe, which complicates his conscience regarding confessing his wrongdoings.
• 🤔 The fear of losing Joe's trust prevents the narrator from revealing the truth about his past actions.
• 🏠 Joe's home is the scene of a discussion about a convict's confession and the various theories of how he entered the pantry.
• 🔍 Mr. Pumblechook's theory about the convict's entry into the house is accepted by others despite Mr. Wopsle's objections.
• 😓 Mr. Wopsle's exhaustion and lack of a coat lead to his dismissal in the discussion about the convict.
• 😴 The narrator is described as being very sleepy and is carried home by Joe after their journey.
• 😓 The narrator feels the burden of his secret, imagining Joe's suspicions in everyday activities.
• 🚶 The narrator's state of mind is a recurring theme, affecting him even after the topic of the convict has faded from conversation.
• 🏡 The domestic setting is crucial in this chapter, with the hearth and pantry serving as symbols of comfort and transgression.
• 👥 The community's involvement in the discussion about the convict reflects the social dynamics and the impact of personal theories on collective belief.

Q & A

What was the narrator's initial reaction to being exonerated from the accusation of theft?

The narrator did not feel any tenderness of conscience towards Mrs. Joe after being exonerated, but he did feel a sense of obligation to tell Joe the truth.

Why did the narrator decide not to disclose the truth to Joe?

The narrator feared that if he told Joe the truth, Joe would think less of him and he might lose Joe's confidence and companionship.

How did the narrator's fear manifest in his imagination?

The narrator imagined that Joe would constantly suspect him of wrongdoing, even in everyday activities like eating or drinking, if he knew the truth.

What does the narrator describe as his reason for not acting righteously?

The narrator admits to being cowardly, both in not doing what he knew was right and in avoiding what he knew was wrong.

How did Joe help the narrator after they left the prison-ship?

Joe carried the narrator on his back because the narrator was sleepy, indicating Joe's care and concern.

What was Mr. Wopsle's state of mind after the journey to the prison-ship?

Mr. Wopsle was in a very bad temper, to the point where he might have excommunicated the entire expedition if the Church had been open.

What was the condition of Mr. Wopsle's clothes when they arrived back home?

Mr. Wopsle's clothes were so damp that the evidence on his trousers could have been used to hang him if it were a capital offense.

How did the narrator feel upon waking up in the kitchen?

The narrator felt disoriented, like a little drunkard, due to being newly set on his feet, having been fast asleep, and waking up to the heat, lights, and noise.

What was the general consensus on how the convict got into the pantry?

After Mr. Pumblechook's careful survey, it was agreed that the convict had first gotten onto the roof of the forge, then the house, and descended the kitchen chimney using a rope made from his bedding.

What was Mr. Wopsle's reaction to Mr. Pumblechook's theory?

Mr. Wopsle weakly cried out 'No!' in disagreement, but since he had no alternative theory and was not taken seriously due to his lack of a coat and smoking behind the fire, he was unanimously ignored.

How did the narrator's sister assist him to bed?

The narrator's sister clutched him and helped him up to bed with a strong hand, making it feel as if he had fifty boots on and was dangling them against the stairs.

What was the narrator's emotional state after the events described in the chapter?

The narrator's emotional state was one of guilt and conflict, which began before he woke up in the morning and lasted long after the subject of the theft had ceased to be mentioned.