Great Expectations
The importance of Mrs. Joe in has two major
parts: the significance of the character, and the symbolism of the
character. The signifance of Mrs. Joe is to complete the figure of Joe
The symbolism of Mrs. Joe is actually the physical manifestation of
Joe's fears in combination with his desire for a commanding
father-figure. First, Mrs. Joe's reign of terror is obviously
necessary for Joe's existence. In the beginning of Great Expectations,
Joe requires identification as a major character. Without the weakness
that Mrs. Joe instills in Joe via her reign of terror, Joe never
develops to a major character. Joe is identified as a compassionate,
...
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inquiries, she threw a
candlestick at Joe, burst into a loud sobbing, got out the dustpan --
which was always a very bad sign -- put on her coarse apron, and began
cleaning up to a terrible extent. Not satisfied with a dry cleaning,
she took to a pail and scrubbing-brush, and cleaned us out of house
and home,..." Truly, a frightening creature is that that may destroy a
household by cleaning when anger besets her. Third, the comedy also
has a serious side, though, as we remember our mothers exerting their
great frustrations upon the household tasks of cleanliness. So,
Mrs. Joe serves very well as a mother to Pip. Besides the age
difference and the motherly duties of housekeeping for Pip and
Joe, the attitude of a scornful mother is also apparent. This, of
course, draws Joe even closer to Pip, by relation. Mrs. Joe serves as
link to make it so that Joe appears very much to be the father of Pip.
In addition, Joe, although terrified ...
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Great Expectations. (2006, April 15). Retrieved May 18, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations/44451
"Great Expectations." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 15 Apr. 2006. Web. 18 May. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations/44451>
"Great Expectations." Essayworld.com. April 15, 2006. Accessed May 18, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations/44451.
"Great Expectations." Essayworld.com. April 15, 2006. Accessed May 18, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Great-Expectations/44451.
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