Great Expectations, Chapter 26 summary

What happens

1. Mr. Jaggers invites Pip and his three companions to dinner at his gloomy house in Soho.
2. Jaggers takes particular interest in Bentley Drummle and encourages conversation that exposes his guests’ faults.
3. During a discussion of strength, Jaggers makes Molly display her powerful wrists, one of them heavily scarred.
4. An argument about borrowing money escalates until Drummle tries to throw a glass at Startop, but Jaggers stops him.
5. Pip returns to apologize, and Jaggers expresses his liking for Drummle while advising Pip to avoid him.
6. About a month afterward, Drummle leaves Mr. Pocket and returns home, relieving everyone except Mrs. Pocket.

In this chapter

What to notice

Jaggers separates his own fascination with Drummle from his advice to Pip. The warning follows Drummle’s contemptuous behavior and attempted violence.

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