# Chapter XXXV explained — Great Expectations

> Chapter companion for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Pip attends the funeral of Mrs. Joe Gargery, who has died after a brief period of lucidity. After the funeral, he speaks with Biddy about her plans and learns that Orlick was seen near the house on the night of Mrs. Joe's death. Pip and Biddy have a strained conversation about his intentions to visit Joe often, and Pip reflects on his own unkindness. He says goodbye to Joe and leaves.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Redemption

Pip feels guilt over his treatment of Joe and Biddy, and seeks redemption through promises to visit often and reconcile.

### Social Class and Ambition

Pumblechook's fawning behavior toward Pip highlights the social climbing and class distinctions that pervade the novel.

### Crime and Injustice

Orlick's presence near the house on the night of Mrs. Joe's death suggests unresolved criminality and injustice.

## Character check-ins

### Pip

Attends his sister's funeral, speaks with Biddy about her future and Orlick's presence, and says goodbye to Joe.

### Biddy

Narrates the details of Mrs. Joe's death, reveals she saw Orlick near the house, and tells Pip her plans to become a schoolmistress.

### Joe Gargery

Present at the funeral, works at the forge, and shares a heartfelt goodbye with Pip.

### Mrs. Joe Gargery

Has died; her final moments are described by Biddy, where she speaks Joe's name and asks for pardon.

### Mr. Pumblechook

Attends the funeral in a black cloak, makes obsequious remarks to Pip, and drinks sherry afterward.

### Orlick

Mentioned by Biddy as having been seen near the house on the night of Mrs. Joe's death and working in the quarries.

## Key lines

> She made signs to me that she wanted him to sit down close to her, and wanted me to put her arms round his neck. So I put them round his neck, and she laid her head down on his shoulder quite content and satisfied.

Mrs. Joe gestured for Biddy to bring Joe close and place her arms around him, and she rested her head on his shoulder peacefully.

_Describes Mrs. Joe's final moments of lucidity and affection before her death._

> I saw him there, on the night she died.

Biddy reveals that she saw Orlick near the house on the night of Mrs. Joe's death.

_Implies Orlick's possible involvement in Mrs. Joe's death._

> I am going to try to get the place of mistress in the new school nearly finished here.

Biddy plans to become the head teacher at the new local school.

_Shows Biddy's ambition and independence after Mrs. Joe's death._

## Links

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