How does fire symbolize Joe Gargery?

Question

Joe Gargery from Great Expectations, although I know of no other Joe Gargery...

Answer 1

Joe is a blacksmith, so he works in a forge and uses fire to heat the metal before shaping. That's the literal reason fire symbolizes Joe.

However, Joe is also warmhearted. Fire can also symbolize light and light can symbolize goodness. This certainly would be a perfect representation of Joe, who was goodness, itself. Joe is the very opposite of the rather coldhearted Estella. She would be the ice.

I hope that helps.