Chapter 25 Wemmick

Wemmick is certainly one of the more unique characters so far in the novel. Wemmick's entire personality changes based on if he's at work or at home. When Wemmick leaves work he appears cold and heartless, and when he arrives home he is cheerful and calm. As an assistant to Jaggers, Wemmick must put on a facade that he is cruel so that he protects Jaggers's image as a feared lawyer, and because of his line of work. When you're a lawyer in court, you have to fight a battle in which somebody's life could balance on the outcome. Somebody has to lose, and if you lose you have to move on or risk being stuck in a moment of greif like Miss Havisham. Wemmick has been Jaggers assisstant for many years, and has learned not to show much emotion at work.

At home, Wemmick is like a whole new person. When he is home, he is at rest and happy. Wemmick has even transformed his house to represent his change of attitude, turning it into a castle complete with a flag and drawbridge. Also at Wemmick's house is the Aged Parent, Wemmick's father. The Aged has a strange quirk, in that he loves to be nodded at. Wemmick appears to take great joy in nodding at him, which is not only strange but completely unlike his work personality. At the end of Pip's stay at Wemmick's house, Pip walks him back to work. While walking, Pip notices Wemmick's face start to harden until he becomes the cruel man that so many expect him to be.