How Dickens presents attitudes to crime and punishment in Chapters 4-6 of the novel.

1. dickens is trying to portray the attitude that punishments for crimes were to severe. since many poor people , of low social class, were forced to steal for food instead of starving to death, they were classed as criminals. the large number of criminals were forced to stay in hulks, where they would be beaten and whipped. when pip gave the convict food, the reader could sense the level of compassion he had for the convict because he was "glad" that he liked the food, showing that he momentarily forgot about the consequences, because of his compassion. pip as a member of the lower class, knew how hard it was to get food. even when the convict was leaving, pip picked out how he was still struggling to free himself of the fetter ("the file was still going.") the fetter was the first thing he realised about the convict's appearance and it stayed with the convict, symbolising how he will never have freedom, forever branded as the scum of society because of the fetter. he can never redeem himself. this could be why he covers up for pip, because he knows how terrible the hulks are as a punishment, and he doesn't want pip to suffer this for helping him. you can see this when he says "it may prevent some persons laying under suspicion alonger me." the reader can see how he may be feeling compassionate towards pip because of how young he is and doesn't want him to be treated and branded unfairly like he was.

2. Pip is very innocent when it comes to crime and punishment. " I fully expected to find a Constable in the kitchen to take me up". This shows his innocence and how guilty he feels because he wouldn't get arrested for such a thing. Even though he thinks it's a crime and thinks he could get severely punished for it, he is still willing to help the convict . Magwitch doesn't see a problem with crime when there is what he deems to be a good reason behind it. He assaults Compeyson but attempts to make it seem like it is alright by saying he was only handing him in. Joe also shares this view because when Magwitch says that he "stole the wittles" he responds with "We wouldn't have you starved to death".

3. -Many themes of guilt and conscience tend to be because of crimes such as Pip felt guilty and was afraid when Pumblechook was asking about the brandy or the pie which led to him running ("Let them hope not to taste it!"). -However ironically those who commit crimes tend to show a more gentle side as Magwitch didn't make sure Pip got into trouble. Dickens makes up think that crimes done by people like the convict are often regrettable. however this could just be a sign that Magwitch is quite honourable -Crime also tends to link with the idea of social class because during the Elizabethan era a hat symbolizes that you were a gentlemen or your rank. When we first saw the convict, Pip's description was that he had no hat which shown that most characters who commit crimes were that of equal to no social status to other people like the convict. -Guilt out of all the major themes ties in with crime the most because Pip feels a strong sense of guilt throughout chapters 4-6 and wanted to tell Joe only that he stole the pie and brandy but doesn't. He only wishes to tell Joe because even though he isn't his father they have that sort of relationship which is a direct antithesis the relationship Pip has with his sister. Guilt pushes Pip away from Joe which separates them in the book even though it doesn't look important during chapters 5 and 6. This also ties in with fear

4. Pip is very innocent when it comes to crime and punishment. " I fully expected to find a Constable in the kitchen to take me up". This shows his innocence and how guilty he feels because he wouldn't get arrested for such a thing. Even though he thinks it's a crime and thinks he could get severely punished for it, he is still willing to help the convict . Magwitch doesn't see a problem with crime when there is what he deems to be a good reason behind it. He assaults Compeyson but attempts to make it seem like it is alright by saying he was only handing him in. Joe also shares this view because when Magwitch says that he "stole the wittles" he responds with "We wouldn't have you starved to death".

5. In Chapters 4-6 of Great Expectations, Dickens uses in depth imagery of the punishment and treatment of prisoners ,such as the Convict, in the vast prison ships called the Hulks or similar prison-like establishments. This is shown in the form of the rabid scared energy of the two escaped convicts express when faced with their inevitable return to the Hulks. In addition the tension created by the Convicts dismissal of Pip by taking the punishment for his crimes and Pip's silent but horrified response to it is used by Dickens to create sympathy for both Pip and the Convict as they are now both victims of a merciless system of punishment devised by the Victorian government to deal with criminals.

6. dickens presents attitudes to crime and punishment with showing that in that era there was the whole inequality with what social class you stood in and punishment was definitely worse for lower class. Crime also brought down honour and pride that people prized so when pip has that moment where he wants to tell Joe about the pie and wants to confide in Joe he is still very much conflicted with having his pride put down and the tense atmosphere of disappointment that would most likely stand between the two if pip told Joe what he did.Quote: "I ought to tell Joe the whole truth.Yet I did not and for the reason that I mistrusted that if I did, he would think me worse than what I was"

7. Dickens presents attitudes to crime and punishment as differing between social class. This is shown with Joe's reaction to the idea of the convict stealing food from him. Instead of maybe rage or anger which the convict might've expected with his moody manner; Joe stated, in front of the sergeant, "We don't know what you have done, but we wouldn't have you starved to death for it, poor miserable fellow-creatur.". Joe shows the convict pity when he says that, and it also shows that joe can empathise with the convict stealing food - even without knowing what the convict had committed. This shows that Joe understands the struggle of not being able to eat and would even help a convict acquire food even if may result in punishment from the law or Pip's sister. Contrasting Joe's sympathetic attitude to crime and punishment, would be the soldiers who having received orders from the king they were to catch the two runaway convicts. This contrasts Joe as they had muskets and hand-cuffs to collect two runaway convicts. The hand-cuffs are granted but the muskets were not needed to collect two runaway convicts. This shows how they would not hesitate to shoot either or both if they were to make a run for it. Clearly showing their lack of care for either convict, as they could both be easily discarded if given reason. Also the sergeant calls the two convicts "two wild beasts!" when they were fighting with each other: this contrasts his previous demeanour when happily chatting with Mr Pumblechook. It also shows the lack of respect for either man as they are criminals.

8. With this, it is clear the difference between attitudes to crime and punishment between social classes. Joe being a humble blacksmith whilst the soldiers and sergeant receiving orders from the king, showing their high respect. And their views on criminals being starkly different, Joe having sympathy whilst the soldiers and sergeant held no respect or care for the criminals.

9. Dickens presents the idea of guilt and conscience as something that develops with maturity rather than age as seen in the interactions between Pip and the convict. Furthermore despite Pips young age he seems to be more aware of the concept of guilt compared to the convict and in some cases overwhelmed by the guilt-"One of whom held a pair of handcuffs to me saying 'here you are, look sharp' "