Great Expectations Group

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skaterboy1
skaterboy1
Student
High School - 10th Grade

How does the sentencing of prisioners affect Pip in chapter 56 of "Great Expectations"?

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Posted by skaterboy1 on Tuesday July 8, 2008 at 12:10 AM and tagged with chapter 56, characters, great expectations, pip, prisoners.

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  1. lit24
    lit24 Teacher
    Doctorate

    eNotes Editor

     The entire novel is a recollection of the past events in the life of Pip and is narrated in the form of a flashback.  But this one very important incident- the sentencing of the prisoners Ch.56 -  is sharply foregrounded by being presented dramatically as though it is taking place right in front of our eyes.

    The reason why Dickens presents this scene dramatically  is to convey his (Pip's) shock at the callous and inhumane way the death sentence is passed indiscriminately at one stroke on all the 32 men and women prisoners: "But for the indelible picture that my remembrance how holds before me, I could scarcely believe, even as I write these words, that I saw two-and -thirty men and women put before the Judge to receive the sentence together."

    Pip (Dickens)   is so traumatised  that he does not offer any personal comments or remarks about this distressing scene and leaves it to the reader to judge for himself.

    The centre of attraction of this dramatic scene is ofcourse the badly wounded Magwitch and the calm and stoic way in which he accepts his death sentence: "My lord, I have received my sentence of Death from the Almighty, but I bow to yours." The indifferent judge fails  to notice Magwitch's repentant gesture and with scant regard for Magwitch's  age and his physical injuries sentences him to death alongwith the others. All that Pip can do is only to  hold his hands and remain a mute spectator.

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    Posted by lit24 on Tuesday July 8, 2008 at 2:37 PM