Bear and Forbear: Stoicism, Epictetus and Joe Gargary

"Dickens exemplifies much of the philosophy taught by Epictetus through Joe Gargery’s method of living his life. In Joe, Dickens has created a Stoic with qualities similar to Epictetus, for as Soccio explains, “Epictetus acquired special insight into the major issue of Stoicism: controlling what we can and accepting what is beyond our control” (208). Like Epictetus, Joe has this same insight. His understanding of control and its relation to life allows Joe to enjoy moments of true happiness. Joe’s life enacts Epictetus’s motto."