Wednesday, August 7, 2013

How do Pip and Joe feel about the funeral arrangements Mr. Trabb oversees in Chapter 35 of "Great Expectations"?

Pip thinks the funeral arrangements are pretentious and overdone.  He describes "dismally absurd persons, each ostentatiously exhibiting a crutch done up in a black bandage - as if that instrument could possible communicate any comfort to anybody", pallbearers "blinded under a horrible black velvet housing", and himself and Joe forced into black crepe and bunting, "tied up...into ridiculous bundles".  Joe, being the gentle, uncomplaining character that he is, is more patient with the proceedings, although he expresses his discomfort to Pip, saying, "I would in preference have carried her to the church myself, along with three or four friendly ones wot come to it with willing harts and arms, but it were considered wot the neighbors would look down on such and would be of opinions as it were wanting in respect".  Joe is correct in his assessment of the reasons why a small, intimate, heartfelt service could not have taken place as he would have preferred.  The neighbourhood does indeed "highly approve" of the showy arrangements as conducted by Trabb, and "much admire" Pip and Joe for their part in the showy proceedings (Chapter 35).

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