Chapters 38 and 39 Summary
Chapter 38
Pip visits Estella in Richmond many times as Estella begins to navigate public society. Estella is clearly using Pip to make her other suitors jealous, and Pip is miserable around her. She does not play with Pip's emotions the way she does with those of her other suitors, however; instead, she mostly ignores him. Despite all of this, Pip's obsession with Estella only grows.
Eventually, the two of them visit Miss Havisham. Estella recounts stories to Miss Havisham of all the suitors who desire her and how she has been playing with their emotions and breaking their hearts. Miss Havisham clearly loves to hear these stories, and Pip realizes Miss Havisham has been raising Estella specifically to torment men. Despite all this, he clings to a belief that he is the exception and that Estella will eventually have a real relationship with him and marry him.
On one visit, Estella and Miss Havisham argue, as Miss Havisham is frustrated that Estella is just as cold with her as she is with her suitors. Estella responds that she can't show warmth and affection, having never received it herself from Miss Havisham. Pip leaves as this fight breaks out, and upon returning, he observes that it's as if the fight never happened.
After this visit, Drummle makes a toast to Estella in front of Pip. Pip challenges him to provide proof that Estella is close to him, and he is able to produce a note from Estella. This devastates Pip. He confronts Estella about it, but she brushes him off, making clear that she has no serious interest in Drummle. This does little to calm Pip.
Chapter 39
Pip is visited at home by a strange man during a storm. Though he does not recognize him at first, Pip eventually realizes that the man is the convict he met as a child. The convict asks Pip about his life since they last met, and as Pip speaks about his mysterious benefactor, he comes to realize that his benefactor is, in fact, the convict. The convict, whose name is Magwitch, explains that he has been in New South Wales, Australia, herding sheep and sending all the money he can to Pip through Jaggers. He beams at Pip, overjoyed to have created a gentleman.
Upon learning this, Pip is crushed, having spent so long trying to distance himself from the sense of guilt and grime associated with the convict. This also means that Miss Havisham is not his benefactor and that she never intended for him to marry Estella. He is unsure whether or not to feel safe around Magwitch, and he begins to realize how badly he has treated Joe and that he made a mistake by leaving him and Biddy.
Expert Q&A
What does Estella mean when she says, "I am what you have made me" in chapter 38?
When Estella says, "I am what you have made me" in chapter 38, she means that Miss Havisham raised her to be proud, cold, indifferent, and hard. Miss Havisham shaped Estella this way to take revenge on men, and Estella's heartlessness is a direct result of her upbringing. Estella highlights that her behavior towards Miss Havisham is consistent with her training.
What language techniques does Dickens use to present plot, character, and setting in Chapter 39 of Great Expectations?
In Chapter 39, Dickens uses language techniques such as pathetic fallacy, imagery, and dialogue to present plot, character, and setting. He employs stormy weather to reflect Pip's inner turmoil and foreshadow impending revelations. Gothic elements create unease as Pip encounters Magwitch, his mysterious benefactor. Through dialogue, Magwitch's coarse language contrasts with Pip's expectations, highlighting class differences and Pip's disillusionment. The chapter transitions from mystery to harsh reality, emphasizing Pip's realization of his misplaced dreams.
What is Pip's "sharpest and deepest pain" upon discovering Miss Havisham isn't his benefactor in Chapter 39 of Great Expectations?
Pip's "sharpest and deepest pain" in Chapter 39 arises from realizing that his benefactor is not Miss Havisham but the convict, Magwitch. This revelation shatters his belief that he was destined for a life with Estella and causes him to feel profound shame for having abandoned Joe and Biddy. Pip is devastated to find that he traded genuine relationships for a false sense of gentility tied to a criminal's fortune.
What is Pip's attitude toward Provis in chapter 39 of Great Expectations?
In Chapter 39, Pip's attitude toward Provis, who is revealed to be Magwitch, is one of suspicion, resentment, and disgust. Initially, Pip is inhospitable and recoils from the convict's familiarity. Upon learning that Magwitch is his benefactor, Pip feels suffocated and nearly faints, overwhelmed by the revelation. He is disappointed that Miss Havisham had no role in his fortune, realizing his life as he understood it was a mere illusion, and views Magwitch as a "dreadful burden."
What images does Dickens use to describe Miss Havisham in Chapter 38 of Great Expectations and why?
In Chapter 38, Dickens uses vivid imagery to portray Miss Havisham as a "witch-like" and "ghostly" figure. Pip describes her as feeding on Estella's experiences, reflecting her dependency on Estella for life. The imagery includes her "withered garments," "ghostly reflection," and "ceaseless low cry," highlighting her transformation into a desperate, vengeful figure. These images emphasize her mental deterioration and the destructive nature of her obsession with revenge through Estella.
In chapter 38 of Great Expectations, how does Miss Havisham's teachings' success cause her grief?
Miss Havisham's grief in Chapter 38 arises from the success of her own teachings, which have made Estella cold and unfeeling, even towards her. While Miss Havisham intended for Estella to avenge her by breaking men's hearts, she did not anticipate that Estella's heartlessness would also extend to herself. Estella's indifference and lack of gratitude highlight the unintended consequences of Miss Havisham's manipulations, leaving her feeling insulted and regretful.
In chapter 39 of Great Expectations, where is Pip reading and why does he stop?
Pip is reading at his rented rooms in the Temple, specifically in Garden Court, during a severe storm. He plans to read until 11:00 PM, and stops when the bells of St. Paul's Cathedral strike the hour. The narrative does not specify which room he occupies, but it is likely a bedroom or sitting room. The Temple is a London area located between St. Paul's Cathedral and Covent Garden.
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