The Mo-gul Over us
In Chapter 7 of Great Expectations, the character Joe Gargery uses the phrase to describe the abusive domineering behaviour of his wife, Mrs Joe (Pip's sister) When Joe says that "I don't deny that your sister comes the Mo-gul over us, now and again," he is using a 19th century slang to mean that Mrs Joe acts like a tyrant in their household. Pip and Joe were sitting together by the fire talking about Pip's schooling and Joe's childhood. Joe explains his painful past with an abusive father, which has made him incredibly gentle and passive as an adult. He admits that he lets Mrs Joe rule the house completely because he wants to avoid domestic violence. Joe adds the details to his description of her behaviour: • She does throw us back falls (she knocks them down metaphorically. • She does drop down upon us heavy (She treats them with a harsh heavy hand) • She goes on Ram-page • She is a buster (a destructive force) Dickens highlights the comical yet sad powe...