Stage two of Great Expectations

The end of act two brings reality crushing down on Pip. Like a 500 pound weight, it pins him to the ground, forcing him to face himself and the reality of his situation .This is when the veil of mystery is temporarily lifted and Pip gets a chance to glimpse the truth. What he discerns through the fog of uncertainty sends him spiraling into confusion, ungratefulness and guilt. With startling realization Pip discovers that he is just as guilty as the convict. Only he is guilty of something much more heartless than anything the convict could ever even conceive doing. Pip is guilty of abandonment, resentment, selfishness, and pride. Who are the victims of these deviling acts that pip shamelessly committed, you may wonder? Well, it is none other than the faithful, loyal old Joe and virtuous Biddy. The only ones that ever have truly loved him, weather or not he is distinguished gentleman pip or dirty uneducated Pip. The love that was once so gratefully received, now he casts off like a old out of style hat. He might as well have spit in Joe and Biddy’s face; it would have caused just as much hurt. But instead he ignored and resented them for being simple, kind, and satisfied. Pips expectations are the ax that cut the bond of love and family between him and Joe. What used to be a necessity now was the cause of Pips mortification, resentment and annoyance.

When the convict exploded into Pips life and revealed himself it surfaced Pips guilt. Out of shadows, creeping up the very chambers of his soul slithered out the revolting truth. This was the gut wrenching realization that he was no better than the grimy old convict. Pip was the offender of numerous ignominious acts towards the ones that gave him the only thing they could, love and companionship. With great remorse and abhorrence he remembers the times he has brushed Joe off as an inferior and dismissed Biddy’s words of wisdom. He remembers long ago when he was leaving his home, how he didn’t want anything to do with his family. He recalls feeling of resentment toward Joe when he came to visit because he was an in convince and wasn’t sophisticated enough.

The revealing of his benefactor sent Pip reeling back in aghast. The terrible truth of his new situation brought Pip face to face with his actions. He forced Pip to uncover the dishonorable truths and bring his actions into the light. It exposed the severity of which he had committed these crimes. Just like the convict Pip is forced into cowardly hiding, for he can never go back to Joe and Biddy again.