Great Expectations · Chapter
XXVI explained
Pip and his friends dine at Mr.
What happens
Pip and his friends dine at Mr. Jaggers' house in Gerrard Street, Soho, where Jaggers takes a peculiar interest in the surly Drummle, whom he calls 'the Spider.' The housekeeper, Molly, is forced by Jaggers to display her powerfully muscled but deeply scarred wrists, hinting at a violent past. The dinner conversation becomes heated, with Drummle's boorish behavior provoking Pip into revealing that Drummle had borrowed money from Startop.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Jaggers' house appears stately but is shabby; the housekeeper's gentle demeanor contrasts with her powerful, scarred wrists, hinting at hidden violence.
Wealth and Moral Corruption
Jaggers' wealth is displayed through fine food and wine, yet his home is gloomy and his profession involves criminal law, suggesting moral ambiguity.
Characters to notice
- Pip
Dines at Jaggers' house with his friends, observes the housekeeper's strange appearance, and quarrels with Drummle over money.
- Jaggers
Hosts dinner at his home, shows a strange interest in Drummle, and forces his housekeeper Molly to display her scarred wrists.
- Drummle
Referred to as 'the Spider' by Jaggers; behaves boorishly, boasts of his strength, and quarrels with Pip.
- Startop
Present at the dinner; described as having a delicate face; has lent money to Drummle.
- Herbert Pocket
Present at the dinner; tries to check Pip during the quarrel with Drummle.
- Molly
Jaggers' housekeeper; a pale woman with streaming hair and scarred wrists, forced by Jaggers to show her hands.
Key passages
“I cannot say whether any diseased affection of the heart caused her lips to be parted as if she were panting, and her face to bear a curious expression of suddenness and flutter; but I know that I had been to see Macbeth at the theatre, a night or two before, and that her face looked to me as if it were all disturbed by fiery air, like the faces I had seen rise out of the Witches' cauldron.”
Pip cannot tell if a heart condition makes the housekeeper's lips part as if she is out of breath, but her face reminds him of the witches from Macbeth he recently saw at the theater.
Pip's theatrical comparison emphasizes the housekeeper's eerie, otherworldly appearance.
“If you talk of strength, I'll show you a wrist. Molly, let them see your wrist.”
Jaggers interrupts the arm-wrestling boasting by commanding the housekeeper to show her wrist as proof of real strength.
Jaggers uses Molly's scarred hands to assert dominance and reveal hidden power.