Is Magwitch a bad man?

He has broken the law and he frightens Pip badly at first, but the book shows him as a rough man with a grateful, loving heart. Much of his trouble began with a hard, hungry childhood and with Compeyson, who used him.

Why can’t Magwitch come back to England?

He was sent to Australia for life as a punishment. In the book, a convict who returned from being sent away could be put to death, so his visit to Pip is very dangerous.

What happens to Magwitch at the end?

He is caught on the river, badly injured, and sentenced to death. He dies in the prison sick room before the sentence can be carried out, with Pip beside him.

From Great Expectations

Abel Magwitch

A runaway convict • Grateful and loyal

A rough, muddy stranger from the marshes whose fierce face hides a surprisingly grateful and loyal heart.

Who is Abel Magwitch?

Abel Magwitch is the escaped convict who leaps out at Pip in the churchyard on Christmas Eve, soaked, starving and dragging an iron on his leg. He looks terrifying and growls dreadful threats, but he never forgets the small boy who brought him food. His gratitude ends up shaping Pip’s whole life.

Abel Magwitch is a character in Great Expectations, the 1861 novel by Charles Dickens, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Abel Magwitch like?

fierce
grateful
loyal

Abel Magwitch’s story

Magwitch has escaped from one of the hulks, old prison ships moored near the marshes. He frightens Pip into bringing “wittles” (victuals, or food) and a file to cut off his leg iron. The next day soldiers find him fighting another escaped convict, Compeyson, in a muddy ditch. Magwitch tells them he took the food from the blacksmith’s, protecting Pip, and he is rowed back to the prison ship.

He is sent to New South Wales in Australia for life. There he works hard, becomes a sheep farmer and grows rich, and through Mr. Jaggers he secretly pays for Pip to become a gentleman. Years later, on a wild and stormy night, he climbs the stairs to Pip’s London rooms and proudly tells him the truth. Because a convict sent away for life will be put to death if he comes back, Pip and Herbert hide him near the river under the name of Provis.

Pip learns Magwitch’s story: a cruel childhood, and a life of crime led by the smooth, cold Compeyson, who let Magwitch take most of the blame. When Pip and Herbert try to row him to a steamer, Compeyson and the police cut them off. Magwitch grapples with Compeyson, who drowns, and Magwitch is badly hurt. He is tried and sentenced to death, but he dies peacefully in the prison sick room first, holding Pip’s hand, after Pip whispers that his lost child is alive and is a lady.

“I took some wittles, up at the willage over yonder”

Abel Magwitch, telling the soldiers he stole the food himself, to protect Pip. From the original 1861 novel by Charles Dickens.

A moment to remember

When the soldiers catch him on the marshes, Magwitch announces that he stole the food from the blacksmith’s himself, so that little Pip will not get into trouble.

Pip: boy who helped him on the marshes
Mr. Jaggers: his lawyer
Herbert Pocket: young man who helps hide him

Talk about it

Magwitch never forgot one kind thing Pip did for him. Can you remember a small kindness someone did for you that you still think about?

Questions about Abel Magwitch

Is Magwitch a bad man?: He has broken the law and he frightens Pip badly at first, but the book shows him as a rough man with a grateful, loving heart. Much of his trouble began with a hard, hungry childhood and with Compeyson, who used him.
Why can’t Magwitch come back to England?: He was sent to Australia for life as a punishment. In the book, a convict who returned from being sent away could be put to death, so his visit to Pip is very dangerous.
What happens to Magwitch at the end?: He is caught on the river, badly injured, and sentenced to death. He dies in the prison sick room before the sentence can be carried out, with Pip beside him.