Life at Home

As I read, I observed how Mrs. Joe Gargery continuously puts Pip down. She is constantly reminding him he is not wanted. The way she throws him around when she is angry and says things that are only meant to make her feel better about herself, is a perfect example of selfishness. I can imagine the only way Pip could handle this would be the way Joe treats him as a friend. They understand each other's situation and are sympathetic towards each other. Knowing that Mrs. Joe Gargery is the way she is, provides the two boys with an understanding in each other. Their little signals and jokes are almost like an escape from the evil ways of Mrs. Joe. It's almost as if they expect her to be violent and quick to anger so they've learned to think nothing of it and move on with what has to be done. When they are eating and Pip begins to ask simple questions, Mrs. Joe blows her top almost immediately. Joe, on the other hand, sits there, letting his wife do all the yelling. He can see that something is on the boy's mind but he leaves him alone. It is apparent Pip has somewhat of a mixed authority at home. He has a friend but he also has an enemy all in the same house.