Great Expectations Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 42 Summary

Chapter 42 Summary

Magwitch recounts his colorful history to Herbert and Pip. During his life, Magwitch was constantly in and out of jail. He took a lot of odd jobs- laborer and hawker, "things that don't pay and lead to trouble." Along the way, someone teaches him to read. A traveling giant teaches him to write. Around twenty years ago, he runs into Compeyson, the convict that Pip saw him pound into a ditch. He met Compeyson, so long ago, at the Epson races, where he took him as a partner in his criminal activities, which included forging, swindling, passing bad bank notes. He ruthlessly uses another of his associates named Arthur, who dies after thinking he has seen a ghost. At some point, Magwitch almost reveals he was married, but then drops the thought. Finally, both he and Compeyson are arrested for a felony. Both have to spend time in jail, but...
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