Relationship themes intensify in these chapters. Between Joe, Orlick, Pip, and Mrs. Joe, the dynamics are black and ominous. Orlick resents Pip. Pip fears Orlick. Mrs. Joe hates Orlick and claims to be more than a match for him. Orlick retorts with the foreshadowing comment that if she were his wife he would drown her under the water pump. Goaded by his enraged wife, Joe is forced into a fight with Orlick to defend her honor. Afterward, the two men quietly share a beer. It is evident that the fight is not between the two men, but is a reflection of the hostility that Mrs. Joe carries within her. The whole situation has a murderous tone to it and is at a flash point.
Mrs. Joe displays her insecurity and fear when she is left out of dealings with Miss Havisham. She pouts all night while cleaning, and makes a self-important display of herself and her treasures as she walks to Pumblechook’s. Her reaction to Miss Havisham’s money indicates her concern for wealth and disregard of Pip’s happiness. Mrs. Joe’s raging at Orlick and their taunts back and forth foreshadow the harm to come. She is demeaning and bent on controlling everyone. Orlick, a deprived member of society, already feels jealous of Pip and has little self-esteem — Mrs. Joe’s insults make him feel even worse and trigger a violent reaction. Orlick is just unstable enough to actually act out his rage, doing to Mrs. Joe what everyone else would like to do — kill her.
