Great Expectations

As Pip’s coach makes its way into London, he observes the ugly, dirty streets. Jaggers is out when Pip arrives, and he waits a bit in Jaggers’s dirty office before telling the clerk, Wemmick, he is going out for a short walk. He walks until he comes to the grim Newgate Prison. A half-drunk minister of justice shows Pip around the gallows and the debtor’s jail, giving Pip a “sickening” impression of London.

Pip checks in, but Jaggers still hasn’t returned. Pip walks around the Little Britain neighborhood and notices impoverished clients who seem to be waiting for Jaggers; they say Jaggers is the only one who can help them. Soon after, Jaggers approaches Pip and addresses his clients with practical—yet condescending—admonitions regarding their cases.

Jaggers tells Pip that he will stay with Matthew Pocket’s son, Herbert, at Barnard’s Inn. He also tells Pip the amount of his allowance, which Pip deems “very liberal.” Jaggers then tells Pip that he will check over his bills, and he fully expects Pip to mess up. 

Wemmick walks Pip to Barnard’s Inn. As they walk, Pip observes that Wemmick is wearing several odd trinkets. Wemmick remarks that he was also new to London long ago.