Having reached the big reveal in the novel - the identity of Pip's secret benefactor - Marcel raised numerous questions regarding the benefactor's motivations as well as Pip's reasons for deciding not to accept any more money from his revealed benefactor , a convicted criminal . We examined how Pip's life has been a self delusional fantasy wherein he believed Miss Havisham was his benefactor and the beautiful Estella, Pip's ultimate legacy. Marcel further discussed how Pip sacrificed the one person who truly cared for him, Joe, heedlessly , for the sake of a woman who only used him . I further addressed Marcel's questions about where the convict had been for years by explaining that convicts were transported to Australia ,forbidden to return to England under penalty of death. I made some modifications and offered suggestions to Marcel's study guide answers on the reading, and we then discussed the development of the novel's theme. Marcel took notes on this topic specifically noting how a privileged social class and money do not create or foster moral character. Marcel perceptively noted that the convict is at heart a more generous caring person than Pip . In contrast to Pip, the convict is not concerned with social standing or the status symbol of money. He has risked his life to return to London to see Pip as a "gentleman." At the end of the session , we continued to review and discuss Marcel's SAT prep work on the practice Writing Exam noting how to address any errors . For homework due Thurs: research two aspects of Victorian Penal System (Transport Law,Newgate Prison ,Capital punishment) for research essay and read the next two chapters. Bring any completed research to class on Wednesday .