Abel Magwitch

Despite being an essential character to the plot and themes of Great Expectations, Magwitch (a.k.a. the convict and Uncle Provis) only really appears at the start and end of the novel. Abel Magwitch is revealed to be the benefactor who provides Pip’s fortune despite being a fugitive criminal for much of the story. Through Magwitch, Dickens destabilises the institutional concept of good and evil, as despite being a convicted criminal, Magwitch displays the most generosity and genuine gratitude out of all of the characters in the novel. Additionally, his crimes are somewhat validated by Dickens as being a necessary means for survival, rather than malicious endeavours.