# The Soldiers at the Forge explained — Great Expectations

> Chapter companion for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

A file of soldiers arrives at the Gargery home, led by a sergeant who requests Joe's help to repair a lock on a handcuff. The soldiers are pursuing two escaped convicts on the marshes. Pip is in agony, fearing his theft of food and file for Magwitch will be discovered. Joe works in the forge while the soldiers wait. Later, the party goes out to capture the convicts. Magwitch is recaptured and, to Pip's horror, confesses to stealing food from the blacksmith's, clearing Pip of suspicion. Magwitch is taken aboard the prison ship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Injustice

The recapture of Magwitch and the other convict highlights the harsh penal system. Magwitch's confession to stealing food underscores the desperation that drives crime.

### Guilt and Redemption

Pip's silent attempt to assure Magwitch of his innocence shows his guilt over the theft. Magwitch's confession, taking the blame, offers a form of redemption for Pip.

### Social Class and Ambition

The soldiers' presence and the sergeant's polite but commanding tone illustrate the rigid class hierarchy. Joe's humble blacksmith role contrasts with the authority of the king's men.

## Character check-ins

### Pip

Pip is in an agony of apprehension, fearing his theft for the convict will be discovered. He tries to silently assure Magwitch of his innocence when they meet on the marshes.

### Joe Gargery

Joe is called upon by the sergeant to repair a handcuff lock. He works in the forge and later carries a torch during the pursuit. He shows compassion to Magwitch, saying they wouldn't have let him starve.

### Mrs. Joe Gargery

Mrs. Joe is flustered by the soldiers' arrival, lamenting the pie. She resents the sergeant's request for Joe but later becomes liberal, offering beer and brandy to the soldiers.

### Magwitch

Magwitch is recaptured on the marshes. He confesses to stealing food from the blacksmith's, clearing Pip of suspicion. He is taken aboard the prison ship, never looking at Pip except once.

### Mr. Pumblechook

Pumblechook is present at the dinner party and makes sycophantic comments, such as 'Good again!' at the sergeant's remarks. He suggests giving the sergeant wine instead of brandy.

### Mr. Wopsle

Wopsle asks the sergeant if the pursuit is for convicts, in a matter-of-course way. He initially wants to go back but stays with the party.

## Key lines

> The apparition of a file of soldiers ringing down the but-ends of their loaded muskets on our doorstep, caused the dinner party to rise from table in confusion, and caused Mrs. Joe reentering the kitchen empty-handed, to stop short and stare, in her wondering lament of 'Gracious goodness gracious me, what's gone—with the—pie!'

The sudden arrival of soldiers with their muskets caused everyone to jump up from the table in confusion, and Mrs. Joe, coming back into the kitchen with empty hands, stopped and stared, crying out in dismay about the missing pie.

_This moment captures the chaos of the soldiers' arrival and Mrs. Joe's immediate concern over the pie, setting up the tension of Pip's secret._

> It was some broken wittles—that's what it was—and a dram of liquor, and a pie.

It was some leftover food, a drink of alcohol, and a pie.

_Magwitch confesses to stealing the food, taking the blame and clearing Pip of suspicion._

## Links

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