# Mrs. Joe Gargery — Great Expectations character guide

> Mrs. Joe Gargery in Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Joe, Mrs. Joe Gargery

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

Pip's sister, who raises him 'by hand' with a hard fist and a sharper tongue, ruling her forge-household with grudging resentment.

## Who they are

Mrs. Joe keeps her husband Joe and her brother Pip in a state of perpetual apology, brandishing the 'Tickler' and the story of her own sacrificed youth. Her ferocious domestic tyranny shapes Pip's earliest sense of shame and his hunger to escape the forge. When violence strikes her down, the household's whole balance shifts, and Pip's guilt about leaving home grows teeth.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/i)

Pip's sister, mentioned as the one who married the blacksmith and with whom Pip lives.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/ii)

Mrs. Joe is domineering and suspicious, forcing Pip to drink tar water and scolding him for asking questions about convicts.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/iv)

Mrs. Joe is busy preparing the Christmas feast and is in a cross temper. She treats Pip with harshness and reproach.

### [The Soldiers at the Forge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/v)

Mrs. Joe is flustered by the soldiers' arrival, lamenting the pie. She resents the sergeant's request for Joe but later becomes liberal, offering beer and brandy to the soldiers.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/vi)

Scolds Pip and assists him to bed after the evening's events.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as being domineering and out on a market day trip with Uncle Pumblechook.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/ix)

Interrogates Pip about Miss Havisham's and shoves him against the wall for not answering fully.

### [The Stranger at the Jolly Bargemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/x)

Mrs. Joe is at home when Pip and Joe return; she examines the shilling given to Pip and is suspicious of its value.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xiii)

Accompanies Joe and Pip to town; waits at Pumblechook's and is gratified by the reward money.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xiv)

Mrs. Joe is referenced as the source of the unpleasantness at home due to her temper.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xv)

Mrs. Joe scolds Joe for giving Orlick a half-holiday and argues with Orlick.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xvi)

Survives the attack but suffers lasting impairments to sight, hearing, memory, and speech; her temper improves and she becomes submissive, especially toward Orlick.

### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/chapters/xxxv)

Has died; her final moments are described by Biddy, where she speaks Joe's name and asks for pardon.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters/mrs_joe_gargery
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/great_expectations_se/characters