Great Expectations

7. Who is Orlick and why is he upset at Pip's half-holiday?

7. Who is Orlick and why is he upset at Pip's half-holiday?

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Orlick works for Joe Gargery at the forge. He is upset at Pip because he believes Pip is getting preferential treatment from Joe even though Orlick has worked at the forge longer than Pip. When Pip asks for a half-holiday and receives it, Orlick figures he deserves the same thing. Joe agrees to give Orlick a half-holiday, too. Mrs. Joe overhears the conversation between Orlick and Joe and begins to shout at Joe. Orlick then calls her "a foul shrew" and this causes Mrs. Joe to go on a "rampage". Finally Joe stands up to Orlick and knocks him to the ground. Joe fires Orlick but later Orlick takes revenge on both Mrs. Joe and Pip.

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