While this act of gratitude and kindness on the part of an escaped convict may seem be surprising and incongruous to the reader, Charles Dickens in this early chapter of "Great Expectations" sets the stage for his Appearance vs. Reality theme.
Disgruntled with the social system in his country that judged people by their class, Dickens contrasts the poor, but kind and decent underprivileged Magwitch, who was forced to steal in order to survive, with the corrupt Compeyson, the "second convict," who has exploited Magwitch for his personal gain. For, as the plot develops, the reader realizes that the appearance of class and wealth does not equate with goodness and integrity.
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