Mrs. Joe Gargery Character Analysis in Great Expectations

Pip's older sister and guardian after his parents' die, Mrs. Joe is fiery, tyrannical, and false, harping on her own victimhood even as she abuses Pip and Joe. She is obsessed with social status and reputation. Yet, after the attack by Orlick that gives her brain damage, Mrs. Joe's personality changes completely and she becomes patient, compassionate, and docile.

Mrs. Joe Gargery Quotes in Great Expectations

The Great Expectations quotes below are all either spoken by Mrs. Joe Gargery or refer to Mrs. Joe Gargery. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

"People are put in the Hulks because they murder, and because they rob, and forge, and do all sorts of bad; and they always begin by asking questions. Now you get along to bed!"

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 10

Explanation and Analysis:

The terrors that had assailed me whenever Mrs. Joe had gone near the pantry, or out of the room, were only to be equaled by the remorse with which my mind dwelt on what my hands hand done. Under the weight of my wicked secret, I pondered whether the Church would be powerful enough to shield me from the vengeance of the terrible young man, if I divulged to that establishment. I conceived the idea that the time when the banns were read and when the clergyman said, "Ye are now to declare it!" would be the time for me to rise and propose a private conference in the vestry.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 17

Explanation and Analysis:

…my young mind was in that disturbed and unthankful state that I thought long after I laid me down, how common Estella would consider Joe, a mere blacksmith: how thick his boots, and how coarse his hands. I thought how Joe and my sister were then sitting in the kitchen, and how Miss Havisham and Estella never sat in a kitchen, but were far above the level of such common things.

Related Characters: (speaker), , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 55

Explanation and Analysis:

Mrs. Joe Gargery Character Timeline in Great Expectations

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Joe Gargery appears in Great Expectations. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...of his five brothers who never lived out of infancy. He lives with his older sister, and her husband, Joe Gargery, the town blacksmith. They live in southeast England, in "marsh... (full context)

When Pip returns home, his brother-in-law Joe, the blacksmith, warns Pip that Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe, has been furiously looking for him and is carrying the Tickler, a cane... (full context)

...discern is "Pip." Pip then asks where the firing comes from and is chastised by Mrs. Joe for asking questions. After criticizing Pip's inquisitiveness at length, Mrs. Joe finally explains that the... (full context)

Pip returns home from the marshes and lies about where he's been, telling Mrs. Joe that he's been out listening to the Christmas morning carols. Mrs. Joe is grumpily preparing... (full context)

Throughout the meal, Pip is terrified that his pantry theft will be discovered. When Mrs. Joe offers Uncle Pumblechook brandy (from the bottle Pip diluted with water after taking some for... (full context)

...and Uncle Pumblechook bicker about the most likely way the convict could have broken into Mrs. Joe 's pantry. Pip, exhausted, falls swiftly asleep, but as narrator he notes that his conflicted... (full context)

...parents died, Joe explains, he lived a lonely life at the forge until he met Mrs. Joe and heard she was raising baby Pip by hand. Joe praises Mrs. Joe in spite... (full context)

Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook burst in after a day at the market and excitedly explain that... (full context)

...Pip sobs bitterly, which, as narrator, he attributes to a sensitivity of character caused by Mrs. Joe 's harshness. He explains the crucial importance of justice to children and the constant injustice... (full context)

Upon returning home, Pip is barraged with questions about Miss Havisham by Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook, who has ridden over for tea. Yet, because he himself has such... (full context)

...common before they can develop uncommon skills. He resolves not to reveal the truth to Mrs. Joe for fear of upsetting her, promises Pip he isn't angry at him, and advises Pip... (full context)

...In parting, the stranger gives Pip a shilling wrapped in paper which, back at home, Mrs. Joe sees is two pound notes. Joe runs back to return the money but the man... (full context)

...except for Biddy, who expresses concern that, at the time, he did not understand. Meanwhile, Mrs. Joe and Uncle Pumblechook enjoy imagining Miss Havisham's future patronage of Pip. One day, Miss Havisham... (full context)

Next day, Joe and Pip set off for Miss Havisham's. Mrs. Joe has insisted on walking to town with them in all her finest to visit Uncle... (full context)

Pip and Joe leave Miss Havisham's and walk to Uncle Pumblechook's where Mrs. Joe has been waiting for them in a sulk, still deeply hurt that she was not... (full context)

Uncle Pumblechook, Joe, and Mrs. Joe hurry Pip to the Town Hall to be officially bound as Joe's apprentice, a procedure... (full context)

Giddy with delight at the twenty-five guineas, Mrs. Joe insists that they celebrate it with a dinner at the Blue Boar, inviting Uncle Pumblechook,... (full context)

...is "Dolge") hears about Pip's half-holiday and angrily demands one for himself. When Joe assents, Mrs. Joe (who has been spying on their conversation from the yard) protests that Joe is wasting... (full context)

...Pip is convinced he himself must have had something to do with the crime against Mrs. Joe , and that he is the most likely suspect (a guilt he attributes as narrator... (full context)

...seeks to please him with "an air of humble propitiation." Pip is disappointed that his sister does not denounce Orlick. Thereafter, Mrs. Joe asks for Orlick to come to her daily,... (full context)

...of adding up debts, Pip receives a letter signed Trabb & Co. informing him that Mrs. Joe has died and inviting him to her burial next week. (full context)

...mourning costumes in the forge's parlor. Joe confides to Pip that he'd wanted to carry Mrs. Joe on his own, but that he'd been told it would disrespectful. (full context)

Pip asks to hear the particulars of Mrs. Joe 's death and Biddy tells him her last words were "Joe," "Pardon," and "Pip." Pip... (full context)

...coming between him and Biddy. He adds that it was Pip who's to blame for Mrs. Joe getting clubbed, because it was Pip being treated as a favorite at the forge that... (full context)

Everything you needfor every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Mrs. Joe Gargery Character Analysis

Mrs. Joe Gargery Quotes in Great Expectations

Mrs. Joe Gargery Character Timeline in Great Expectations

Everything you need
for every book you read.