Question 49
GCE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1
•
2022
•
LITERATURE_IN_ENGLISH
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objective
In Charles Dickens's *Great Expectations*, the revelation that Magwitch is Pip's benefactor occurs in Chapter 39. Based on the information that (i) Pip learns the truth while in London, (ii) Miss Havisham's wedding dress is described as decaying, and (iii) Pip's feelings toward Estella shift after the revelation, reconstruct the missing scene that logically connects these three elements, outlining the sequence of events and their impact on Pip's character development.
Answer Options
A.
The reconstructed scene takes place in a London tavern rather than Miss Havisham's house. Pip, nursing a drink, watches a servant bring in a ragged cloak that reveals Magwitch, who claims he is Estella's secret benefactor, not Pip's. The decaying wedding dress is described only in passing, serving as background décor. Pip's reaction is one of confusion rather than moral reckoning, and his later encounter with Estella leads him to reaffirm his ambition, seeing her as a prize to be won.
Correct Answer
B.
The reconstructed scene takes place in London when Pip visits Miss Havisham's house. While waiting for tea, Pip observes Miss Havisham's wedding dress, its fabric yellowed and moth‑eaten, symbolising decay. A servant then brings in a cloaked figure - Magwitch - who quietly tells Pip that he is the true source of Pip's fortune. The revelation shatters Pip's illusion of genteel superiority; the decaying dress reflects his own moral decline. When Pip later meets Estella, his love turns into pity, as he realises her coldness stems from Miss Havisham's manipulation. This sequence forces Pip to abandon his selfish ambitions and adopt a more compassionate, redemptive outlook.
C.
The reconstructed scene unfolds on the marshes outside Pip's hometown. While Pip walks alone, he stumbles upon Miss Havisham's abandoned cottage, where a tattered wedding dress hangs in the wind, symbolising neglect. A mysterious figure emerges - not Magwitch but a former convict who confesses that Miss Havisham herself financed Pip's education. This revelation forces Pip to confront his misplaced gratitude, and when he later meets Estella, his feelings turn to resentment, believing she is complicit in Miss Havisham's manipulation.
D.
The reconstructed scene occurs in London's courtroom. While awaiting a hearing, Pip notices Miss Havisham's wedding dress displayed as evidence, its yellowed fabric symbolising legal decay. A clerk announces that Magwitch has been arrested and will be executed, and Pip learns that the convict's money was actually a loan to Miss Havisham, not a gift to Pip. The revelation leaves Pip feeling betrayed by society, and when he later sees Estella, his affection deepens, believing she represents the purity he has lost.
Correct Answer
B
Correct Option:
The reconstructed scene takes place in London when Pip visits Miss Havisham's house. While waiting for tea, Pip observes Miss Havisham's wedding dress, its fabric yellowed and moth‑eaten, symbolising decay. A servant then brings in a cloaked figure - Magwitch - who quietly tells Pip that he is the true source of Pip's fortune. The revelation shatters Pip's illusion of genteel superiority; the decaying dress reflects his own moral decline. When Pip later meets Estella, his love turns into pity, as he realises her coldness stems from Miss Havisham's manipulation. This sequence forces Pip to abandon his selfish ambitions and adopt a more compassionate, redemptive outlook.
About This Question
This is
Gce Model Questions Vol1
2022
Literature In English
Question 49.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2022
Gce Model Questions Vol1
Literature In English
examination.
Difficulty level:
Medium
.