Perceptions of Motherhood in Great Expectations

            A recurring theme in Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations," is the reversal of stereotypical gender roles. Victorian women were seen as kind and nurturing, men were seen as strong, imposing and tolerant; Mrs Joe is mean, coldhearted and chastising (pp 11) while Joe is caring, submissive and gentle (pp 466) towards Pip. The tender nurturing qualities of Joe support the reversed gender roles, depicting Joe as a feminine man. Hemming (2011) explores the notion of Mrs Joe not conforming to the expected role of the Victorian mother, symbolizing a plausible reason for Pip's suffering and guilt in Great Expectations. .
             Farrell (1997) points out that Pip's dead mother is the first female character introduced in Great Expectations, and is described by Pip as "freckled and sickly" (Farrell, 1997). In contrast, the next female character introduced is Mrs Joe, Pip's sister, presented as an unloving and masculine woman who has had no choice but to take on the role of Pip's mother. Pip's anguish builds from the noticeable lack of an adequate mother figure; instead of experiencing a loving and nurturing relationship with his mother, he is raised by Mrs Joe, and her failure to act as a mother contributes towards Pip's desire to become a gentleman. Pip's relationship with Mrs. Joe is strained, a fact evident from the opening chapters that take place on Christmas day. " 'And where the deuce ha' you been?' was Mrs. Joe's Christmas salutation" (pp.22) her festive greeting to Pip reflects the nature of their relationship; it is a joyful family day which is interrupted by the harsh interrogation of his sister; with no hint of kindness or affection, which is the greeting he often received from his sister. Being the only living relative Pip has, Mrs. Joe has the primary responsibility to care for him: because she is much older than him, her role is closer to that of a mother than a sister, though she fails to fulfil either role with devotion or compassion.