Figurative use of Reaping instead of Sweeping

In chapter 4 of Great Expectations, Dickens deliberately use the word "reaping" instead of "sweeping" to give a humorous and metaphoric touch to his characters and the atmosphere. 

Mrs Joe is cleaning the house with excessive energy.  The word reap is normally used in the context of harvest. It is not ordinary verb for cleaning floors.  Mrs Joe is wielding broom as if it were a harvesting tool, cutting everything down in her path. She is fierce and relentless as though she is attacking.  Her husband Joe Gargery is sitting upon the doorstep.  He is quietly retreated to keep out of her way.  It also reflects the patriarchal division of labour between men and women.  Here, we see Joe Gargery does not try to overreach.

Pip sees Joe almost as a fellow sufferer.

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