# IX explained — Great Expectations

> Chapter companion for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Pip returns home and is interrogated by Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook about his visit to Miss Havisham's. Feeling ashamed and misunderstood, he confesses to Joe that he lied about the visit, admitting that there were no dogs, veal-cutlets, or black velvet coach. Joe advises him to tell no more lies and to be content with being common. That night, Pip reflects on his shame about Joe's commonness and how the day has changed him forever.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Pip's shame about Joe's commonness and his desire to be 'oncommon' highlight his growing awareness of class distinctions and his ambition to rise above his station.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Pip lies about his visit to Miss Havisham's, inventing a black velvet coach and gold plates, to conceal the truth and protect his own pride.

### Identity and Self-Discovery

Pip begins to question who he is and what he wants, feeling miserable about his common origins and wishing for a different life.

## Character check-ins

### Pip

Confesses to Joe that he lied about his visit to Miss Havisham's; feels ashamed of his commonness and of Joe's coarse hands and thick boots.

### Joe Gargery

Listens to Pip's confession and advises him to tell no more lies; speaks wisely about being common and oncommon.

### Mrs. Joe Gargery

Interrogates Pip about Miss Havisham's and shoves him against the wall for not answering fully.

### Mr. Pumblechook

Visits to hear details of Pip's visit; quizzes Pip on arithmetic and Miss Havisham's appearance, and is deceived by Pip's invented answers.

### Estella

Mentioned as the beautiful young lady who called Pip common; Pip reflects on her pride and his own shame.

### Miss Havisham

Pip invents a story about her sitting in a black velvet coach; Pip feels she would not be understood by Mrs. Joe.

## Key lines

> It's a terrible thing, Joe; it ain't true.

Pip confesses that his story about Miss Havisham's was a lie.

_Pip admits to Joe that he fabricated details about his visit._

> Lies is lies. Howsever they come, they didn't ought to come, and they come from the father of lies, and work round to the same.

Joe tells Pip that lies are always wrong, no matter how they start.

_Joe's simple moral wisdom about honesty._

> That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been.

Pip reflects that this day was a turning point in his life, as any single day can be.

_Narrator's reflection on the significance of pivotal moments._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters