The Secret Gentleman
“Mindful, then, of what we had read together, I thought of the two men who went up into the Temple to pray, and I knew there were no better words that I could say beside his bed than “O Lord, be merciful to him, a sinner!” (Dickens 380).
This excerpt is taken from the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. One day while Pip is visiting Magwitch at the infirmary, he senses that Magwitch is about to die and tells him that his daughter is alive. This news satisfies Magwitch and he passes away in front of Pip. As this happens, Pip recounts a reading they had read together about “two men who went up into the Temple to pray.” This recollection gives Pip the conclusion that the best prayer he can make to his parting benefactor, a criminal, is “O Lord, be merciful to him, a sinner!”
This final prayer is a reference to the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:10-13 which states:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’"
In this verse, the proud Pharisee boasts of his good deeds, while the humble tax collector acknowledges his sin and asks God for his forgiveness. The tax collector was despised by the people, like Magwitch, but was accepted by God. Magwitch is an escaped convict, fraud, and murderer, so why should Pip ask for him to be forgiven? Pip sees through Magwitch's mistakes and treats him as a human being as God wants us to do. Despite his bad reputation, Magwitch gave everything he had to repay Pip for his kindness. He wanted Pip to become a gentleman, but, in reality, Magwitch was the gentleman all along.
With this said, it can be implied that people may be judged by their past sins, but it does not mean they are purely sinful. According to the Bible, all humans contain sin and are imperfect. Every sinful person is capable of redemption and it is their choice to change their ways. Instead of dwelling on their past transgressions, they should focus on their present self.
Can a person be considered "good" even after committing major sins? Why?
Did Magwitch deserve to die, considering his criminal acts? Could he have changed for the better if he tried?
I do not think Magwitch deserved to die. After escaping the second time, he showed that he was improved by making an honest living. The only crime he commits after this is returning to England, and he only does this to see Pip, the man he has shared his fortune with.
ReplyDeletePeople can be considered good after committing sins. I think that everyone can make mistakes and repent for them if their intentions are truly good. And about Magwitch, we can see how he really is when we realize he dedicated his life to making Pip a gentleman and how he treats people after all he has been through in life. I think he is not a bad person, just someone who made bad decisions. He didn't deserve to die.
ReplyDeleteIn this beginning, God created humankind and called us "good". In all his glory, He knew that sin would enter the world when Adam and Eve first sinned. I do believe that we are broken people in need of our Savior, but even as we fall into sin time and time again, Christ still calls us His children. People absolutely may still be considered good after committing sins. And no, I don't believe Magwitch deserved to die. He was a sinner just like the rest of us. After we see how he commits his entire life and his savings to become a gentleman, Magwitch is inherently good.
ReplyDeleteI think your thoughts on this topic are very interesting. I don't thing Magwitch deserved to die because it seemed like he put Pip's needs before his. I however dont think anyone is good because no one is good but God the father. I do however believe that someone can be redeemed from something wrong they did.
ReplyDeleteYour analysis is very intriguing. I think in some cases, someone can redeem themselves after committing a horrid act, but it is not for us to judge, but ultimately God since he is the only one who can see their heart. I believe Magwitch was a redeemable character in this story.
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