Friday, November 11, 2011

Is Magwitch responsible for Compeyson's death in Charles Dicken's novel Great Expectations?

Magwitch is arrested as he is on his way back to New South Wales, with the help of Pip and Herbert Pocket. As he is being rowed out to the transport ship, Magwitch sees a covered figure on the other side of his captor. He uncovers the figure’s face and sees that it is Compeyson. He cries out and grabs Compeyson, tipping over the boat. As Pip and the others in the boat are taken aboard the galley, it is seen that the two convicts are gone. Soon, Magwitch is rescued, but Compeyson disappears. His body is later found. It is unclear whether Magwitch is directly responsible for Compeyson’s death, but he is most likely the reason he was taken underwater. He is thus at least indirectly responsible for Compeyson’s death.

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