Reading Assignment #6: Chapters 26-34

Jaggers and his house share a constant gloominess. He has a habit of perpetually washing his hands, which means he tries to "wash" away the guilt of shame from the past. He has a very odd taste in men and is selfish.

Pip is very fond of Estella and is starting to give in to Miss Havisham's "trap". Even though Estella warns him that she can never love him, he continues to settle his plan to abandon Joe because he thinks it will please Estella. Being the narrator, Pip is able to step outside his life events for a moment, and wonder how it was he could make a choice without regretting it.

Reading Assignment #5, What does Pip think of London whe he walks through Smithfield?

Pip arrives in London. While waiting for Jaggers he takes a turn around the streets, by way of Smithfield and Newgate. He witnesses some of Jaggers' legal dealings, is told briefly of the accommodation and allowance that have been provided for him.

The streets are not paved with gold, but with straw and filth. The lawyer's office, Smithfield meat market and Newgate prison, felons, convicts and all, are the background to Pip's introduction to the Capital. Everywhere are shady customers and shadier dealings. Money rules - a shilling to be conveyed in a coach, a shilling to be rid of a rogue's company and an undisclosed fee to bear false witness. However, Jaggers rules even more powerfully: 'Oh Jaggerth, Jaggerth, Jaggerth! all otherth ith Cag-Maggerth, give me Jaggerth