Re: Magwitch
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Fri, 20 Nov 1998 10:38:28 -0100
My dear Mr Harrison,
As I understand it, I already have described Magwitch's personality in
"Great Expectations" - or at least enacted it for the reader's sake. But
perhaps I can pick out some salient points. Magwitch is a "warmint,"
deprived of the softening influence of a normal childhood, who falls into
villainy but who, despite this, retains a clear-sighted sense of
indebtedness. He knows who has betrayed him. He knows who has aided him.
In Australia he has, perhaps, a self-indulgent fantasy of what he might do
for the child who helped him, Pip. Good luck and hard work enable him to
realise that fantasy. When he returns to London, he expects Pip to be a
grateful puppet. Magwitch, indeed, has his own "great expectations." In
learning to love each other, both Pip and Magwitch are redeemed.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
____________________________________________________________________________
____________
>Dear Sir,
>
> How would you describe Magwitch's personality in Great Expectations?
>
>Yours Faithfully,
>
>Dominic Harrison
>
>
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author