Mrs. Joe Analysis

"By this time my sister was quite desperate, so she pounced on Joe, and, taking him by the two whiskers, knocked his head for a littlewhile against the wall behind: while I sat in the corner, looking guiltily on" This quote comes after Joe gives Pip extra food at the dinner table. Mrs. Joe instantly notices that there is something wrong with Joe. After he responds, saying nothing is wrong, she jumps on him and threatens to beat him. She then gets him to tell on Pip and forces them to drink the tar water. This situation is an example of Mrs. Joe displaying her dominance over Joe and Pip. She controls every aspect of their lives. She even goes as far as to beat them if they go against her will. Although Joe and Pip seem to hate these actions, she has a great reputation with the townspeople. They admire the fact that she brought her little brother up by hand, oblivious to the fact that she does it by beating him. This perception is made by the slyness and intelligence of Mrs. Joe, who is able to make people think she is a great person because of her clean house and the well-behaved child she has raised. She also uses these traits to gain even more control of Pip and Joe.