Great Expectations Chapter Fifty-Six Summary

Magwitch is really sick. Two of his ribs are broken and, because of this, his lung is punctured. He can’t breathe well and he can’t speak.
Pip visits him everyday, and everyday Magwitch looks worse and worse.
Jaggers tries to postpone Magwitch’s trial but to no avail.
The trial comes, and Pip is allowed to stand next to Magwitch and to hold his hand. He is totally freaked out by the trial, because it feels like a show or a spectacle. Over thirty convicts and criminals who are to receive the death penalty stand in the courtroom while lots of onlookers gather in the rows and in the balconies. Each person’s death sentence is read. Magwitch’s death sentence is really long, because he’s been convicted of so much in his life.
Pip is outraged and tries to petition to overrule the death sentence, but no politician responds to his letters.
Pip doesn’t sleep in between his visits to Magwitch’s jail cell, but wanders the London streets in the April weather, trying to figure out how he can acquit his good friend.
In the jail, Magwitch and Pip overhear other prisoners talk about how rough and tough Magwitch once was, and what horrible things he had done in his life. Magwitch smiles to hear this talk, and looks at Pip knowingly. Pip hears him utter words and phrases every once in a while, ruminating about what kind of man he might have been had his life been different, had his fate been different.
Eventually, Magwitch is close to death. The jailers let Pip visit longer than the rules allow, because they see that Magwitch is failing.
Magwitch tells Pip how much he loves him and thanks him for being such a loyal friend.
Pip tells Magwitch that his daughter is alive, that she is a beautiful lady, and that she is loved by Pip.
Magwitch kisses Pip’s hand, a peaceful look washes over him, and he passes away.
Upon realizing he is dead, Pip utters, "O Lord, be merciful to him a sinner!" (4.56.35).

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