Great Expectations Character Analysis

“Great Expectations” is a general interpretation of Charles Dickens childhood. Narrated by Pip who is of the lower class and was expected, at first to be a blacksmith, until a secret benefactor had supplied Pip with money to become a gentleman in London. There are always two sides to every story in “Great Expectations”. Pip 's life and character is developed in positive and negative ways through Joe and his benefactor, Abel Magwitch.

Joe starts Pip’s development into a gentleman through the protection and unconditional love he constantly gives to Pip. During Pip’s development into a gentleman Joe visits Pip in London and respects him by calling him Sir. Pip still not understanding had to ask him of his action. “... ‘how come you call me sir’” (Dickens 236). Joe calling Pip sir is an example of Joe being honest and respectful. He is being honest due to the fact that Pip is starting to become a gentleman,becoming of the upper class and must be called sir. Magwitch in secret provided Pip to become a gentleman. Magwitch later reveals to Pip that he had been his benefactor and says that he had made a gentleman of him. He also explained how it was his dream to make Pip a gentleman. “Yes Pip, dear boy I made a gentleman on you! It’s me wot has done it! I swore that time, sure as ever I earned a guinea and that guinea should be going to

The influences of Joe and Magwitch developed Pip, but also thrusted a downfall upon him as well. These two major characters positively and negatively guided Pip’s life in the sense that he had been made a gentleman by Magwitch and had been brought down by Magwitch as well. Joe stands out positively and negatively also. Positively, he loves Pip with no extent what so ever. Negatively, he is of the lower class, which had embarrassed Pip. Overall these characters stand out and are a great involvement in Great