How does Pip's illness affect his emotional growth?
Pip's illness has a very important part in the story 'Great Expectations' as some of the very interesting things happen in this time. Pip realizes the mistakes he made in the past. He falls ill after the death of Magwitch, the convict whom Pip saved when he was young.
When Magwitch is convicted, he spends some time in the prison. He slowly falls ill and one day he dies in the hands of Pip, only after knowing that his daughter is alive and she is the one whom Pip loves. Pip kisses him on the hand before he dies.
Soon, Pip falls ill and Joe comes to look after Pip. Pip refuses his service at first by saying that he doesn't deserve so much compassion. He regrets his actions and his cold heartened behavior towards Joe. He tells Joe not to be so kind and compassionate towards him as he didn't treat him well earlier. But Joe assures him that they are always friends and he didn't feel bad for anything happened in the past.
While Pip is being taken care of by Joe, Pip remembers his life from childhood and how Joe has been very good towards him. He remembers how he mistreated him when Joe came to inform him about Estella's wish to meet Pip. He remembers about his sister and Biddy. Biddy used to teach Pip when he was young and she had a crush on him but Pip used to like Estella. So, he didn't care for Biddy. Soon he gains some strength with the help of Joe.
Joe leaves his place and when Pip is normal again, he is surprised to know that Joe has paid all his debts. He goes to his village to meet the people and to thank him and he decides to propose to Biddy. When he goes there, he meets Biddy and learns that she was married to Joe few days back. He wishes both of them for their wedding and leaves from there. He thinks of doing some good and honest job (unlike craving for his 'great expectations' which he did earlier)
These incidents clearly show that he was emotionally very much grown and became matured with the passed time. He came to know about his mistakes from the past and his duties then afterward. He wanted to do some honest job which is the best thing he could think of and he regretted every bad thing he did in his past. Knowing about the mistakes and learning from them and deciding to be honest makes a person complete and Pip achieved this.
Most of this transition in him happened during the time he was taking rest due to his fever when Joe was taking care of him.
