English & Literature

great expectations

Then briefly explain the significance (for the main ideas of the work, not the plot) of what the speaker is saying in the quote below.

I see so much in my poor mother, of a woman drudging and slaving and breaking her honest hart and never getting no peace in her mortal days, that I'm dead afeerd of going wrong in the way of not doing what's right by a woman, and I'd fur rather of the two go wrong the t'other way, and be a little ill-conwenienced myself.
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Joe is explaining to Pip that he needs to make the honest and moral choices when it comes to women. Joe explains that his mother's memory is why he will always "do right" by women. His mother slaved away under an abusive husband only to die. Joe tells Pip to always treat women with respect and give them his time instead of worrying about rising up in the world.