As the novel was originally conceived by Dickens as a comic satire on the social classes, a plan Dickens soon abandoned, the opening chapters still retain satiric elements . Joshua commented on Dickens' satiric criticism of the Victorian educational system offered to the poor . We discussed Pip's so called education and Joe's illiteracy . As further examples of social critiques we discussed Joe's abusive alcoholic father as well as the harsh upbringing of Biddy who, like Pip, is an abused orphan . We noted both realistic elements in these plot lines as well as the romanticized characterization of Joe who remains a static character representing an idealized morality . We further discussed why Joe married Mrs.Gargery, Pip's shrewish sister. Last, we reviewed Joshua's study guide answers and made modifications where necessary.