Summary
Dinner with the Spider
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Becoming twenty-one marks Pip's official adulthood and brings changes to his financial arrangements. Mr. Jaggers summons him to the office to discuss his affairs now that he's of age. The lawyer reveals that Pip will now have a regular income—five hundred pounds a year—to spend as he wishes, though the capital remains controlled by the mysterious benefactor. The amount should be generous, yet Pip has already accumulated debts that consume much of it. Jaggers observes Pip's situation with his characteristic cynical detachment, predicting accurately that being given more money will simply allow Pip to get into proportionally more debt. The lawyer's advice is brutally practical: he's seen this pattern countless times before with young men of expectations. When Pip suggests helping Herbert financially—his friend is struggling more than Pip himself—Jaggers is neither approving nor disapproving, merely making clear that such generosity will be Pip's own decision and responsibility. The conversation establishes the pattern that will define Pip's young adulthood: enough money to live well but not enough to feel secure, enough freedom to make mistakes but not enough experience to avoid them. The revelation that his allowance is now official and continuing confirms for Pip that his assumptions are correct—surely Miss Havisham wouldn't continue supporting him unless her plans included his eventual marriage to Estella. Each piece of evidence he receives, he interprets through his predetermined conclusion.
Coming Up in Chapter 27
A mysterious letter arrives for Pip, promising new developments that will shift the direction of his expectations. The formal tone and unexpected timing suggest important news about his future.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
T fell out as Wemmick had told me it would, that I had an early opportunity of comparing my guardian’s establishment with that of his cashier and clerk. My guardian was in his room, washing his hands with his scented soap, when I went into the office from Walworth; and he called me to him, and gave me the invitation for myself and friends which Wemmick had prepared me to receive. “No ceremony,” he stipulated, “and no dinner dress, and say to-morrow.” I asked him where we should come to (for I had no idea where he lived), and I believe it was in his general objection to make anything like an admission, that he replied, “Come here, and I’ll take you home with me.” I embrace this opportunity of remarking that he washed his clients off, as if he were a surgeon or a dentist. He had a closet in his room, fitted up for the purpose, which smelt of the scented soap like a perfumer’s shop. It had an unusually large jack-towel on a roller inside the door, and he would wash his hands, and wipe them and dry them all over this towel, whenever he came in from a police court or dismissed a client from his room. When I and my friends repaired to him at six o’clock next day, he seemed to have been engaged on a case of a darker complexion than usual, for we found him with his head butted into this closet, not only washing his hands, but laving his face and gargling his throat. And even when he had done all that, and had gone all round the jack-towel, he took out his penknife and scraped the case out of his nails before he put his coat on. There were some people slinking about as usual when we passed out into the street, who were evidently anxious to speak with him; but there was something so conclusive in the halo of scented soap which encircled his presence, that they gave it up for that day. As we walked along westward, he was recognised ever and again by some face in the crowd of the streets, and whenever that happened he talked louder to me; but he never otherwise recognised anybody, or took notice that anybody recognised him. He conducted us to Gerrard Street, Soho, to a house on the south side of that street. Rather a stately house of its kind, but dolefully in want of painting, and with dirty windows. He took out his key and opened the door, and we all went into a stone hall, bare, gloomy, and little used. So, up a dark brown staircase into a series of three dark brown rooms on the first floor. There were carved garlands on the panelled walls, and as he stood among them giving us welcome, I know what kind of loops I thought they looked like. Dinner was laid in the best of these rooms; the second was...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Toxic Attraction - Why Power Prefers Problems
People in power often prefer difficult, manipulable individuals over decent ones because dysfunction is more predictable and controllable than integrity.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when authority figures deliberately choose dysfunction over competence because toxic people are easier to control.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when managers, family members, or leaders seem more engaged with problematic people than steady performers—ask yourself what they gain from that chaos.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Psychological manipulation
The practice of using emotional and mental tactics to control or influence someone's behavior. Jaggers demonstrates this by deliberately provoking tension between his dinner guests to study their reactions and weaknesses.
Modern Usage:
We see this in toxic workplaces where managers pit employees against each other, or in relationships where one person creates drama to maintain control.
Power dynamics
The way authority and control flow between people in relationships. This chapter shows how Jaggers uses his position to dominate both his housekeeper Molly and his dinner guests, making them perform for his entertainment.
Modern Usage:
Think of how some bosses enjoy watching employees compete for their approval, or how certain people in friend groups always need to be the center of attention.
Scented soap ritual
Jaggers' compulsive hand-washing with expensive soap after dealing with clients represents his need to cleanse himself of their problems and maintain psychological distance from the criminal world he works in.
Modern Usage:
Like therapists who have strict boundaries between work and home life, or emergency room doctors who compartmentalize to avoid burnout.
The Spider nickname
Jaggers calls Drummle 'the Spider' because he sees him as a predator who traps others in his web of nastiness. The lawyer finds this quality useful rather than repulsive.
Modern Usage:
Some managers prefer difficult employees because they're predictable and easier to manipulate than genuinely good people who might challenge authority.
Deliberate provocation
The practice of intentionally stirring up conflict to observe how people react under pressure. Jaggers orchestrates tension at dinner to study his guests' true characters.
Modern Usage:
Reality TV producers use this technique, and some people create workplace drama just to see who they can trust when things get messy.
Psychological dominance
Using fear and unpredictability to maintain control over others. Jaggers keeps Molly in constant suspense about his moods and demands, making her completely dependent on his approval.
Modern Usage:
Abusive relationships often involve this pattern where one person never knows what will set off their partner, keeping them walking on eggshells.
Characters in This Chapter
Jaggers
Manipulative authority figure
Reveals his true nature as someone who enjoys psychological control. He deliberately creates conflict at dinner and humiliates his housekeeper to demonstrate his power over everyone present.
Modern Equivalent:
The boss who enjoys making employees uncomfortable and pits people against each other for entertainment
Drummle
Antagonistic dinner guest
Shows his worst qualities under Jaggers' provocation, becoming increasingly aggressive and nearly violent. Jaggers finds his nastiness fascinating and useful rather than concerning.
Modern Equivalent:
The workplace bully that management keeps around because they're 'effective' at getting results through intimidation
Molly
Dominated housekeeper
Demonstrates the cost of being under Jaggers' control. She lives in constant fear and is forced to display her scarred wrists to dinner guests as proof of her unusual strength and mysterious past.
Modern Equivalent:
The employee who's completely dependent on a controlling boss and has to endure humiliation to keep their job
Pip
Observant narrator
Watches the evening's events with growing understanding of how power really works. He begins to see through Jaggers' methods and recognize the lawyer's preference for difficult people.
Modern Equivalent:
The new employee who starts to understand the toxic office dynamics and realizes their mentor isn't who they thought
Startop
Innocent bystander
Becomes the target of Drummle's aggression, nearly having a glass thrown at him. Represents decent people who get caught in the crossfire of others' power games.
Modern Equivalent:
The nice coworker who gets bullied because they won't fight back or play office politics
Key Quotes & Analysis
"He washed his clients off, as if he were a surgeon or a dentist."
Context: Pip observes Jaggers' ritual of washing his hands after every client interaction
This reveals Jaggers' need to maintain psychological distance from the criminal world he profits from. The comparison to medical professionals suggests he sees his clients as diseased or contaminated.
In Today's Words:
He treated his clients like they were contagious and needed to scrub them off his hands afterward.
"I like that Spider though."
Context: Jaggers expresses his admiration for Drummle's unpleasant character
Shows that Jaggers values nastiness over goodness because difficult people are more predictable and useful to him. It reveals his cynical view of human nature.
In Today's Words:
I actually prefer dealing with jerks because at least I know what I'm getting.
"Show them your wrist."
Context: Jaggers commands Molly to display her scarred wrists to the dinner guests
Demonstrates Jaggers' complete dominance over Molly and his willingness to humiliate her for his guests' entertainment. It shows how power corrupts relationships.
In Today's Words:
Look what I can make her do - she has no choice but to obey me.
Thematic Threads
Power Dynamics
In This Chapter
Jaggers demonstrates psychological dominance through calculated manipulation, forcing his housekeeper to display her scars and deliberately provoking tension among his guests
Development
Builds on earlier glimpses of Jaggers' control, now showing the disturbing pleasure he takes in wielding power over others
In Your Life:
You might see this in supervisors who seem to enjoy creating workplace drama or family members who stir up conflict for attention.
Social Performance
In This Chapter
The dinner party becomes theater where Jaggers orchestrates roles for each guest, with Drummle as the unwitting star performer of nastiness
Development
Continues Pip's education in how the upper classes use social situations as power plays rather than genuine connection
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in social gatherings where someone seems to be pulling strings to create specific reactions from others.
Moral Corruption
In This Chapter
Jaggers finds Drummle's aggression entertaining rather than concerning, showing how power can warp moral judgment
Development
Deepens the theme of how wealth and position can corrupt basic human decency, building on earlier hints about Jaggers' character
In Your Life:
You might see this when people in authority positions excuse bad behavior because it serves their purposes or amuses them.
Hidden Suffering
In This Chapter
Molly's scarred wrists and nervous behavior hint at past trauma that Jaggers exploits for his guests' curiosity
Development
Introduces the theme of how victims become props in powerful people's games, expanding the book's examination of exploitation
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when someone's personal struggles become entertainment or teaching tools for others without their real consent.
False Mentorship
In This Chapter
Jaggers warns Pip about Drummle while simultaneously encouraging the very behavior he warns against, giving contradictory guidance
Development
Continues the pattern of Pip receiving mixed messages from authority figures who claim to help while serving their own interests
In Your Life:
You might experience this with mentors or advisors who give you conflicting advice that serves their agenda more than your growth.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Jaggers seem more interested in Drummle than in Pip's other friends, even though Drummle is clearly the most unpleasant person at dinner?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Jaggers' ritual of washing his hands after dealing with clients reveal about how he views his relationship with people?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about workplaces or families you know—where have you seen someone in authority pay more attention to the troublemakers than to the reliable people?
application • medium - 4
If you were Startop (the decent friend being overlooked), how would you handle being in a situation where toxic behavior gets rewarded with attention?
application • deep - 5
What does this dinner party teach us about why some people in power positions seem drawn to chaos rather than peace?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map the Power Dynamic
Draw or describe the power relationships at this dinner party. Who has control? Who's seeking approval? Who's being manipulated? Then think of a similar situation from your own life—a workplace, family gathering, or social group where someone in charge seemed to prefer dealing with difficult people over easy-going ones.
Consider:
- •Notice how Jaggers controls the evening's mood and direction
- •Consider why toxic people might be more 'useful' to manipulators than good people
- •Think about what this means for how you present yourself in power-imbalanced situations
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you watched someone in authority give more attention to a troublemaker than to reliable people. What did you learn about power from that experience? How did it change how you navigate similar situations?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 27: When Old Friends Don't Fit
The coming pages reveal shame about our past can poison present relationships, and teach us authentic people feel uncomfortable in artificial settings. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.