Charles Dickens Quotes

Great Expectations, Chapter 6. Pip regrets not owning up to his actions in helping runaway convict Magwitch with food and a file he stole from the Gargerys. The themes of integrity, guilt and deception are highlighted here as the older Pip in hindsight recognizes his own moral failings when he was a boy. Young Pip is walking back to the forge with Joe and Mr. Wopsle at the time and agonizes over whether to confess the truth to Joe. However, he decides to conceal his role in the convict’s escape from Joe. Pip’s adult self as the narrator looks back on the incident and sees his silence as cowardice. To the young Pip protecting his reputation was more important than integrity.