We examined the text and discussed how Pip's maturation and process of self-discovery is coming to fruition in the final chapters. As the bildungsroman genre depicts the journey to manhood and self -awareness, we located 5 examples in chapter 49 where Pip acts selflessly, shows remorse for his conduct toward Joe, and demonstrates the capacity to forgive those who have harmed him. Marcel took good notes on this topic. As Dickens moves the plot forward rapidly through the use of more and more coincidences, we further discussed which coincidences are necessary to develop the theme and which are contrived. Marcel offered good insights into this aspect of the novel recognizing that Dickens spun a good tale in order to maintain the interest of his audience who was reading the novel in weekly installments in his magazine. Last, we parsed through some of the plot complications explaining why Magwitch abandoned his child , and how Jaggers, the lawyer, acted as a de facto adoption agency for the child. We noted how Dickens' description of the unregulated callous process shows Dickens' criticism toward the harsh treatment of impoverished children in Victorian England. In preparation for a final writing paper on the novel, I last reviewed some additional research Marcel culled on the criminal justice system in Victorian England. For homework due Wednesday- read next two chapters and complete study guide for chapters 50-54 .