Great Expectations: Book 3, Chapter 40 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Pip decides to tell his maids and the Temple watchman that the convict is his uncle. On his way out, he stumbles over an unidentified man crouching in the dark hall outside his apartment. When Pip and the watchman return with a light to search the hall, the stranger has disappeared, but the watchman informs Pip that Pip's "uncle" entered the Temple followed by another man.

Over breakfast, Pip is disgusted by the convict's crude table manners. He asks the convict about the man in grey clothes but the convict didn't notice him and doesn't know who the man might be. After breakfast, he tosses Pip a fat pocketbook of money, proclaiming that he'll make Pip into a gentleman to show up all of the colonists and judges who have crossed him. He wants the money to be spent on more lavish, gentlemanly accoutrements.

Pip is distressed and demands to know the convict's plans. The convict explains he plans to stay with Pip in London for good. He will disguise himself and be called Provis, though his real name is Abel Magwitch. He calls Pip "dear boy" and watches him "with an air of admiring proprietorship." Pip resolves to call him "Mr. Provis."

Pip stops by Mr. Jaggers office to ask if the news he's heard is true. Mr. Jaggers confirms the fact, though insists that Pip describe "Magwitch" as a man still living in New South Wales and "Provis" as a separate person in England conveying information on Magwitch's behalf.

Pip buys Provis new clothes to wear but observes that Provis' past "gave him a savage air that no dress could tame." He spends five miserable days loathing Provis' manners, wondering about Provis' crimes, and dreaming of ways to escape. Then, Herbert returns from the trip he's been on.