Joe Blacksmith: The Heart of the Novel
Joe represents everything genuine in Pip's world, but their relationship becomes strained as Pip climbs the social ladder. In Chapter 27, when Joe visits London, his awkward speech patterns like "How AIR you Pip" show how out of place he feels in Pip's new world.
The most telling moment comes when Joe says "You and me is not two figures to be together in london". This plain-spoken acknowledgment of their growing divide contrasts sharply with their earlier bond as "fellow sufferers". Joe's grammatical mistakes and attempts to sound posh (like saying "erkeval" instead of "equal") highlight the class differences that now separate them.
Joe's discomfort is clear when he admits "I'm wrong out of the forge" - he feels misplaced and uncomfortable because Pip's snobbish behaviour has made him feel like he doesn't belong. This sets up one of the novel's central conflicts between genuine worth and social status.
Key Point: Joe's dialect and simple language actually reveal his moral superiority - he's the most honest character in the novel.
