# Joe Gargery — Great Expectations character guide > Joe Gargery in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Joe, Mr. Gargery, Gargery, Joseph Gargery, dear Joe **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot The village blacksmith with a heart as steady as his hammer, whose plain decency shames Pip even as Pip learns to be ashamed of him. ## Who they are Joe Gargery raises Pip under his sister's blows and his own unshakable kindness, speaking in tangled malaprops that hide a clear moral vision. When Pip's fortune arrives, Joe keeps his distance with painful tact, never reproaching the boy who once flinched at his boots and his hat. He is the book's quiet conscience, the measure against which Pip's gentlemanly pretensions are silently judged. ## Relationships ### [Pip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/pip) _family_ Joe is Pip's brother-in-law and a loving, protective father figure who shares a deep bond with Pip despite Pip's later shame. ### [Biddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/biddy) _friendship_ Biddy is a kind, wise friend and later wife to Joe, providing emotional support and stability in his life. ### [Estella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/estella) _social_ Estella is a cold, upper-class acquaintance who dismissively interacts with Joe, highlighting class differences. ### [Herbert Pocket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/herbert_pocket) _friendship_ Herbert respects Joe and treats him kindly, bridging the gap between Pip's two worlds. ### [Jaggers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/jaggers) _professional_ Jaggers interacts with Joe as a legal professional regarding Pip's expectations, treating him with condescension. ### [Pip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/pip) _family_ Joe is Pip's brother-in-law and a loving, protective father figure who shares a deep bond with Pip despite Pip's later shame. ### [Estella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/estella) _social_ Estella is a cold, upper-class acquaintance who dismissively interacts with Joe, highlighting class differences. ### [Biddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/biddy) _friendship_ Biddy is a kind, wise friend and later wife to Joe, providing emotional support and stability in his life. ### [Herbert Pocket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/herbert_pocket) _friendship_ Herbert respects Joe and treats him kindly, bridging the gap between Pip's two worlds. ### [Biddy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/biddy) _friendship_ Biddy is a kind, wise friend and later wife to Joe, providing emotional support and stability in his life. ### [Jaggers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/jaggers) _professional_ Jaggers interacts with Joe as a legal professional regarding Pip's expectations, treating him with condescension. ### [Herbert Pocket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/herbert_pocket) _friendship_ Herbert respects Joe and treats him kindly, bridging the gap between Pip's two worlds. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/i) The blacksmith, husband of Pip's sister, mentioned as part of Pip's household. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/ii) Joe shows concern for Pip's strange behavior, trying to protect him from Mrs. Joe's wrath while maintaining their friendly bond. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/iv) Joe is kind and supportive to Pip during the meal, offering him gravy as a quiet comfort. He is submissive to Mrs. Joe and the guests. ### [The Soldiers at the Forge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/v) Joe is called upon by the sergeant to repair a handcuff lock. He works in the forge and later carries a torch during the pursuit. He shows compassion to Magwitch, saying they wouldn't have let him starve. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/vi) Carries Pip home and tells the family about the convict's confession. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/vii) Shares his childhood story, his love for Pip, and his fear of Mrs. Joe's temper. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/ix) Listens to Pip's confession and advises him to tell no more lies; speaks wisely about being common and oncommon. ### [The Stranger at the Jolly Bargemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/x) Joe is at the Jolly Bargemen with Mr. Wopsle and the stranger; he is unaware of the significance of the file and later escorts Pip home. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xii) Joe is silent during family discussions about Pip's prospects, is attacked by Mrs. Joe with a candlestick, and feels dejected. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xiii) Dresses in his Sunday best and behaves awkwardly at Satis House; insists on addressing Pip instead of Miss Havisham; delivers the reward money to Mrs. Joe. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xiv) Joe is portrayed as faithful, honest, and industrious, whose influence keeps Pip from abandoning his apprenticeship. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xv) Joe receives lessons from Pip but fails to retain information; he advises Pip against visiting Miss Havisham. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xvi) Discovers Mrs. Joe after the attack, examines the leg-iron, and is deeply saddened by her condition. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xvii) Joe is mentioned as caring for Mrs. Joe while Pip and Biddy go for a walk, and as a potential partner for Pip in the forge. ### [Great Expectations Are Revealed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xviii) Joe quietly accepts Pip's departure, showing his selflessness and loyalty despite feeling left behind. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xix) Joe is sympathetic and pleasant about Pip's departure, but his calm acceptance frustrates Pip, who wishes for more emotion. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxvii) Joe visits Pip in London, feeling out of place in his gentleman's chambers, and delivers a message from Miss Havisham about Estella. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxv) Present at the funeral, works at the forge, and shares a heartfelt goodbye with Pip. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxix) Pip reflects on his abandonment of Joe, feeling that his sense of worthless conduct toward Joe is greater than any consideration. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lvii) Nurses Pip, pays his debts, leaves a letter and departs to avoid intruding. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lviii) Marries Biddy on this day; welcomes Pip with restored affection and a gentle touch. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/lix) Found smoking his pipe by the fire, hale and strong, with a son named Pip. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/joe_gargery - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters