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Book 3, Chapter 51
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Great Expectations, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Social Class
Ambition and Self-Improvement
Integrity and Reputation
Parents
Justice
Generosity
Summary
Analysis
A few weeks pass until, one Monday morning, Pip receives a letter from Wemmick insinuating that it might be possible to escape with Provis that Wednesday. Because Pip is still recovering from his burns, he and Herbert arrange for Startop to help them row up the river beyond Gravesend. They will there meet a foreign steamer leaving London and Provis and Pip will climb aboard.
Startop proves he is a generous friend, willing to assist Pip and Herbert even in suspect activities.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
After Pip goes out to secure passports, he comes home to a threatening anonymous letter telling him to meet the writer in secret on the marshes in order to get information about "your Uncle Provis." Convinced by the mention of Provis' name that he must obey, Pip writes Herbert a note saying that he is going to check on Miss Havisham and travels to the village.
The writer of the letter seems far more capable of inflicting harm than he does of offering useful information. Pip's lie to Herbert places himself at risk.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
In the village, Pip stays at an inn where he isn't known. The oblivious landlord tells Pip Uncle Pumblechook's version of Pip's story in which Pip returns to the village to visit his "great friends" but ungratefully neglects "the man that made him," Mr. Pumblechook. Pip is overcome with sympathy for Joe, who never complains and seems "truer" and "nobler" to Pip as he compares him with Pumblechook's falseness and meanness.
Mr. Pumblechook and Joe are opposites. Pumblechook is false and self-serving, always making himself look like a good generous person. Joe, meanwhile, is genuinely generous, and as such never tries to make himself seem generous. Joe doesn't care how he seems; only how he is.
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
