English 122
Great Expectations Reading Questions Chapters 40 - 49
Stage 3 (Part 1)
1. What does Pip almost stumble over on his way down his dark staircase at the start of chapter 40?
2. By what familial title does Pip decide to call his benefactor?
3. By what name had his benefactor been known on board the ship from New South Wales?
4. By what item does Pip's convict swear Herbert's secrecy concerning Pip's convict's identity and whereabouts?
5. Does Jaggers know that Pip's convict is in London?
6. Pip's convict says: "All I've got ain't mine; it's yourn. Don't you be afeered on it. There's more where that come from. I've come to the old country for to see my gentleman spend his money like a gentleman. My pleasure 'ull be fur to see him do it." How does this statement shows the similarity between Pip's relationship with his convict and Estella's relationship with Miss Havisham?
7. When speaking to Pip, why does Jaggers repeat "-in New South Wales" every time the name of Magwitch is mentioned?
8. What aspect of Pip's convict seems most to repel Pip?
9. What plan do Herbert and Pip come up with to take care of Pip's convict and keep him safe?
10. Who is "Pip's comrade"?
11. Whose lengthy history is told in chapter 42?
12. What relationship does Pip's convict have with his parents that he has in common with Pip and Estella?
13. What is the name of the man Pip's convict describes as "a man whose skull I'd crack wi' this poker, like the claws of a lobster"?
14. Who is the "rich lady" Pip's convict refers to in his story?
15. Who is Arthur?
16. Who comes to Arthur in a dream moments before he dies?
17. In terms of appearance, how did Pip's convict and the man he hates differ during their court appearance?
18. In what way does Pip's convict say this affects the outcome of the trial?
19. Who does Pip meet at the Blue Boar in chapter 43?
20. Who is this person meeting in order to dine with him/her, who this person says Pip has "lost"?
21. Pip goes to see and talk to Miss Havisham ands Estella in chapter 44, in which Miss Havisham admits to knowing that Pip thought she was the benefactor. What does she say is the reason she allowed him to believe she was his benefactor?
22. Name the two other major "secret helping" story lines that parallel the one in which Pip is helping Herbert in business.
22. What does Pip ask Miss Havisham to do for Herbert?
23. What does Estella tell Pip about Bentley Drummle that causes much concern?
24. Miss Havisham reacts physically to the confession of love Pip makes to Estella. What gesture does she repeatedly make, and what does it mean?
25. Who sends a note to Pip at the very end of chapter 44? What three words does it contain?
26. Where had Wemmick heard news that Magwitch was at Pip's house and was being watched?
27. Who is Wemmick referring to when he speaks of "Tom, Jack or Richard"?
28. Why is Pip going to "Mill Pond Bank, Chink's Basin, at the Old Green Copper Rope-Walk"?
29. Who is Mrs. Whimple?
30. Who is Old Barley?
31. Who is Mr. Campbell?
32. Pip says in chapter 47: " One afternoon, late in the month of February., I came ashore at the wharf at dusk. I had pulled down as far as Greenwich with the Ebb-tide, and had turned with the tide. It had been a fine, bright day, but had become foggy as the sun dropped, and I had had to feel my way back among the shipping carefully. Both in going and returning, I had seen the signal in his window, All well." By what mode of transportation was Pip travelling in this description?
33. What was the signal he refers to that tells him all is well?
34. To where does Pip go in chapter 47 to see Mr. Wopsle?
35. Mr. Wopsle begins staring at Pip, thinking he sees someone they've met sitting with Pip. Who does Mr. Wopsle think he sees sitting with Pip?
36. In chapter 48, Pip dines with both Wemmick and Jaggers. Where do they eat dinner that night?
37. Jaggers gives Pip a letter during dinner. From whom is this letter?
38. Jaggers says to Pip at one point, "So Pip! Our friend the Spider has played his cards. He has won the pool." What does Jaggers mean by this?
39. What does Pip realize in this chapter about the identity of Molly?
40. Pip describes a changing in Wemmick's personality after dinner that night, as they walk along the streets. Briefly explain the nature of this change.
41. What was the nature of Jaggers' first association with Molly, as Wemmick explains it?
42. What had Molly done to get her in trouble with the law?
43. What does Wemmick say supposedly happened to the three-year-old child Molly had?
44. What had caused that dramatic change Pip finds in Miss Havisham at the start of chapter 49?
45. What three words does Miss Havisham want Pip to write on his ivory-covered tablet?
46. Who brought Estella to live with Miss Havisham?
47. What strange vision does Pip see as he walks through Miss Havisham's garden?
48. What bizarre accident befalls Miss Havisham as Pip prepares to leave her house?
49. In what way is Pip injured in this accident?
Part Two: Define or explain the following.
1. Abel Magwitch
2. "Provis"
3. the Temple
4. New SouthWales
5. Compeyson
6. Arthur
7. the woman who appears in Arthur's dream before he dies
8. "And when we're sentenced, ain't it him as gets seven year, and me fourteen"
9. "I am going to be married to him"
10. "Don't go home"
11. "Tom, Jack or Richard"
12. Walworth Sentiments"
13. "old Gruffandgrim"
14. Mr. Bill Barley
15. Miss Clara Barley
16. Mr. Campbell
17. the identity of the man sitting behind Pip at the play
18. the Spider
19. Estella's mother
20. the "taming" of Molly
21. "Take the pencil and write under my name, 'I forgive her'"
22. "What have I done! What have I done!"