Different Qualities of a Gentleman Portrayed by Charles Dickens in Great Expectations
In this essay I will be looking at how the different qualities of a
'gentleman' is portrayed, by Charles Dickens, throughout "Great
Expectations".
In the beginning of the story a 'gentleman' is seen, through Pip, as
someone with wealth, education and high social status. This
materialistic definition of a gentleman can be seen in the description
of the character Bentley Drummle, who clearly isn't a gentleman, "… he
was idle, proud, niggardly, reserved and suspicious. He came of rich
people down in Somersetshire, who had nursed this combination of
qualities until they made the discovery that it was just of age and a
blockhead"(pg 187). One aspect of being 'gentlemanly' to pip was
education, "'He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy!'"(pg 57) says
Estella. This makes Pip regret his own background and assumes that, as
Estella says that the "knaves are not Jacks", this is the case.
When Pip first arrived in London he was completely ignorant of the
local etiquette and the way of doing things that was assumed to be
right. Herbert Pocket helps to teach Pip the customs and the ways to
do things without embarrassing or degrading Pip, "He offered these
friendly suggestions in such a lively way, that we both laughed and I
scarcely blushed"(pg 165).
The contrast between the stereotypical view of a 'gentleman' and a
'real gentleman' is very strong as can be seen by comparing Mr
Jaggers, a 'gentleman', and Joe, a blacksmith. It is clear that Joe is
a far more of a gentleman than Mr Jaggers although in the novel Joe is
nowhere near the status of Mr Jaggers,...
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...hat she knows would do anything for her,
"'He calls the knaves Jacks, this boy! … And what coarse hands he has.
And what thick boots' Her contempt was so strong that it became
infectious, and I caught it". Biddy, however, always remains truthful
and generally kind towards Pip.
It becomes obvious that Biddy's view of a 'gentleman' is very similar
to that of Joe - she regards a gentleman as someone who is towards the
end of Great Expectations. Pip begins to make the transition himself
although a bit gradually.
In the end though Pip becomes a true gentleman and loses the desire
for the materialistic looks of a gentleman. He shows gratitude towards
Joe and Biddy, forgives Miss Havisham although she made him suffer
while he was a young boy and does not show any resent towards Estella
after all she put him through.
How Dickens Engages the Reader in Great Expectations The text is created in an intelligent way so that it interests the reader from the beginning. The title itself stimulates the inquisitiveness of the reader. We are led to think that the novel promises a certain amount of drama or action. The text from the novel 'Great Expectations' is structured in a deliberate fashion to encourage the reader to read on. Great Expectations is a gothic novel.
sweet name for a small sweet boy; Magwitch - is he a witch? Or evil?
Because Jane is the narrator, the reader is given a biased point of view that St. John’s character is unfavorable. Throughout Jane’s life she has had oppressive male figures dominate her life, such as John Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst; thus, Jane can conditioned herself to be apprehensive when confronting men. After gaining her physical and emotional strength back, Jane studies St. John’s character. Jane’s first impression of St. John is pessimistic, she states “Had he been a statue instead of a man, he could not have been easier”(Bronte 329). By comparing St. John to a statue the reader is forced to see St. John as someone who is cold and rigid. Jane sets up the perception that St.John is disconnected from human feelings. Jane also presents a biased view of men when she first meets Rochester, who later becomes her husband. Furthermore, Jane’s first impressions of Rochester are also negative. Upon first being introduced to Rochester, after he asked to see her, Jane comments, “But it appeared he was not in the mood to notice us, for he never lifted his head as we approached. . . There was something in the forced stiffed bow, in the impatient yet formal tone, which he seemed to further expresses”(Bronte 111). Upon meeting Rochester for the fir...
Mr. Jaggers plays a pivotal role in the novel, Great Expectations, written by Charles Dickens. We are first introduced to him in Chapter 11, where Pip encounters the rather condescending lawyer on the stairs of Satis House. Pip describes Mr. Jaggers as "a burly man of an exceedingly dark complexion." We cannot help but notice that he is extremely pontificating, by virtue of him holding Pip's chin and being almost sure that Pip was of "a bad set of fellows" although he had scarcely known Pip for two minutes.
In Victorian society, a gentleman was brought up from birth, molded and manipulated to act, dress, talk, and live as true gentility. Upon reaching adulthood, these gentlemen were expected to conduct themselves as society dictated. What happens, however, when a man of lower social stature wishes to become a gentleman, and suddenly finds himself in a position to do so? He now has the financial standing, but lacks the social etiquette that a "true" gentleman possesses. Whom can he turn to for a role model and guidance? This is exactly the situation Pip is faced with in the novel Great Expectations. When he first arrives in London, aspiring to be a gentleman, Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket provide the best examples of true gentlemen.
In the present age, the more successful children usually come from well-structured families that are able to provide their children with a lots of care and a happy and loving childhood. Children growing up in this environment will describe their youth as a time of wonder and laughter; they will enjoy the experiences as a child. However, in the Victorian age, this is a completely different story as most children had to go through many hardships and sufferings, in order to satisfy the needs of their family. Great Expectations is set in the Victorian age and Charles Dickens portrays the years of childhood as at time of confusion, darkness and terror. Nevertheless, this unfavorable childhood helps Pip mature as a person in many different ways. Pip's experiences with multiple people when he was a child provides important stepping stones for his journey in becoming a successful gentleman. Specifically, the people that aid Pip in his journey are: his family, namely Mrs. Joe and Mr. Pumblechook, Estella and himself. In the novel, the author develops the idea that these unfortunate experiences in young Pip's life are important because they shape and mold Pip into becoming a successful gentleman.
In conclusion, Charles Dickens, a social critic of humble origins himself, has conveyed his conception of a true gentleman, which is such a good conception that it is commonly used in our society today. He shows that you can only be a true gentleman at heart and if you are not it will be revealed. Matthew Pocket’s metaphor that ‘No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself’ very successfully delivers and summarises Dickens’ message, that no matter how much you try to, your true identity will always be revealed. It also effectively reinforces Dickens’ treatment of the Victorian preconception of a gentleman as misconstrued and mistakenly engrossed with social status, wealth, birth, and apparel.
Everyone in life struggles to live up to what others and society expects them to be in life, the next Harvard Graduate, or the next new celebrity. But, these expectations can begin to define a person if he believes he has to conform to society's expectations. In Charles Dickens novel "Great Expectations", young Pip feels the pressure from society and his love, Estella, to become a gentleman. By attempting to rise in his social class Pip then abandons his previous good morals and his family members when he moves to London. Each character has aspirations for Pip which he believes he must fulfill in order to succeed in life. He also sets expectations for his friends and family and becomes disappointed when they do not meet his aspirations. The pressure from all the characters and the pressure he puts on others eventually diminish Pip's ideals, because he believes that he must please everyone. These Great Expectations pressured on Pip define the storyline of the novel and the progression of each character. Therefore, In Charles Dicken's novel "Great Expectations", the title plays a significant role due to Pip's struggle with the fact he cannot live for himself, but rather is focused on living up to standards placed on him and others.
How Dickens Establishes a Strong Sense of Character in the Novel Great Expectations In the novel, ‘Great Expectations’, Dickens employs a number of techniques to create a strong sense of his characters. One way in which he does this is by describing the settings in which Magwitch and Miss Havisham are placed, and using them to reflect the characters themselves. He situates both in environments that echo neglect, abandonment and decay, and both have an eerie, hostile feel about them. When introducing Magwitch’s setting, Dickens writes, “this bleak place overgrown with nettles”, whilst he says of Miss Havisham’s room, “everything within my view which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre” These examples show a distinct lack of care toward the setting.
Dickens' Use of Settings in Great Expectations Great Expectations is the story of a young boy called Pip's physical and emotional journey. The story starts when Pip meets an escaped convict in a churchyard near his home and gives him food and drink.
The character Joe Gargery is an honest, simple, modest, and hard-working blacksmith who is always able to forgive those he loves most. He represents the forgiveness and loving loyalty part of human nature, which Pip realizes towards the end of the story. “O dear good Joe, whom I was so ready to leave and so unthankful to, I see you again, with your muscular blacksmith’s arm before your eyes, and your broad chest heaving, and your voice dying away. O dear good faithful tender Joe, I feel the loving tremble of your hand upon my arm, as solemnly this day as if it had been the rustle of an angel’s wing!” (141)
Joe's actions are those of a true gentleman. For example, Joe defends Mrs. Joe from Orlick even though he is scared of Orlick himself: "What could the wretched Joe do now...but stand up to his journeyman...so, without so much as pulling off their singed and burnt aprons, they went at one another, like two giants" (773). Joe is intimidated by Orlick and by Joe defending Mrs. Joe from Orlick shows that Joe has courageousness. Joe is a benevolent person by stepping up to Orlick to help Mrs. Joe. In addition, Joe pays off Pip's debts and Pip finds "a receipt for which they had been paid off" (899). Joe paying off Pip's debts shows he is a helpful and caring person. Joe is being considerate by helping Pip become debt-free. It is ironic that Joe helps Pip because Pip hasn't been a considerate person to Joe but he helps Pip regardless.
How does Charles Dickens create characters that are both memorable and striking in the novel Great Expectations? In the novel ‘Great Expectations,’ Charles Dickens has managed to create several strong characters that are both memorable and striking and which definitely grab the reader’s attention. He uses a variety of techniques to make the characters seem so real. Take the character of Pip for example.
Not only does Pip treat Joe differently, Joe also treats Pip differently because of their differences in social class. He begins to call Pip "sir" which bothered him because "sir" was the title given to people of higher class. Pip felt that they were still good friends and that they should treat each other as equals. Joe soon leaves and explains his early parting, "Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one man's a blacksmith, and one's a whitesmith, and one's a goldsmith, and one's a coppersmith. Disciples among such must come.."
"I must entreat you to pause for an instant, and go back to what you know of my childish days, and to ask yourself whether it is natural that something of the character formed in me then" - Charles Dickens