Great Expectations

Joe explains to Pip his understanding of their differences. Restate in your own words, the theme of his final speech before leaving. What does this insight tell us about Joe’s character?

Chapter 21

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I think you are on Chapter 27 here. Joe tells Pip,

“Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one man’s a blacksmith, and one’s a whitesmith, and one’s a goldsmith, and one’s a coppersmith. Diwisions among such must come, and must be met as they come.”

Basically Joe tells Pip that perhaps his new station in life makes their friendship too awkward. Joe sort of lets Pip off the hook for being such a jerk saying it is society wedging them apart rather than Pip himself. I think Joe is a very kind, down to earth and introspective man. He knows exactly what is happening, all this has gone to Pip's head. Still he gives Pip an out but Pip knows what his old friend is really saying.