Great Expectations
The Aged Parent
Wemmick's father
Wemmick's cheerful, deaf father, who loves a friendly nod.
The Aged Parent lives with John Wemmick in the Walworth Castle. He is old, sweet and completely deaf. He sits by the fire with a toasting-fork, beaming at guests.
His kindness shows what Wemmick values and why he keeps his home life apart from his work. He welcomes Pip with a smile and asks for nothing except a nod. He is one of the clearest pictures in the book of simple, uncomplicated happiness.
In the story
Contains spoilers.
The Aged Parent appears when Pip visits Wemmick at Walworth. Wemmick tells Pip to give him a nod, because he loves one, and Pip does. The cannon called the Stinger fires at nine o'clock and the old man enjoys it.
He plays no part in the plot but gives the Walworth scenes warmth. He is a reminder of the ordinary affection that survives in London.
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