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Great Expectations

by Charles Dickens

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Student Question

Who is Clarriker in Great Expectations?

Quick answer:

Clarriker is a shipping merchant in Great Expectations who helps Pip secure a clerk job for Herbert Pocket without Herbert knowing Pip is paying his wages. Clarriker employs Herbert, who later proves his worth and is sent to Egypt. After Magwitch's death, Pip also joins Herbert in Egypt, working under Clarriker.

Expert Answers

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Pip, once he received his legacy when he came of age, decides that he wants to get Herbert Pocket a job as a clerk to pay him back for his help and his friendship. Not wanting Herbert to know of this, and thus feel that he is a target for charity, Pip goes to the shipping merchant, Clarriker, to arrange a spot for Herbert, with himself paying his wages. Clarriker agrees to this, and Herbert excitedly informs Pip that he has found a good job as a clerk, which he has long wanted. When Pip finds out that it is Magwitch, not Miss Havisham, who is his benefactor, he asks Miss Havisham to take over his role as the person who pays Herbert’s wages. Herbert eventually proves his worth and is sent to Egypt to work in the headquarters there. After Magwitch’s death, Pip joins him there, with Clarriker as his employer.

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