Pip's quest for gentlemanliness in Great Expectations is driven by his desire to escape poverty and become a member of the upper class. This desire is not only fueled by his admiration for Estella, but also by the harsh reality of Victorian England where being poor and an orphan put him in a disadvantaged position [1][2].
As Pip becomes more successful in his pursuit of becoming a gentleman, he realizes that his expectations and dreams are not necessarily aligned with reality. For example, he finds out that his benefactor is not Miss Havisham, as he had previously assumed, and his pursuit of Estella is ultimately fruitless [3].
Pip's relationship with Estella is heavily influenced by his pursuit of becoming a gentleman. Estella's condescending attitude towards him, coupled with Pip's own insecurities about being common, drives him to become more gentlemanly and acquire the social status that he believes will make him worthy of her affection [7][8]. However, as Pip realizes that his expectations are not in line with reality, he becomes more aware of the harm that his pursuit of Estella has caused, particularly to his best friend Joe [3].
In conclusion, Pip's quest for gentlemanliness in Great Expectations is a complex and multi-faceted pursuit that is driven by various motivations. Although his desire to become a gentleman is initially fueled by his admiration for Estella, he eventually realizes that his expectations are not in line with reality and that his pursuit of Estella has caused harm to others.
[1] "Pip encourages him to leave, but seeing tears in the mans eyes, softens, and offers him a drink. In the course of their conversation, the convict reveals that he is the source of Pips expectations, his way of rewarding Pip for helping him on the marshes. He wanted to make Pip a gentleman who could live an easy, upper-class life."
[2] "Pips dreams of becoming a gentleman are not just about Estella, though. Pip is poor and an orphan, and Victorian England was not a kind place if you were either one of those things. Pip gets an ..."
[3] "He has money, but it is ill-gotten money in his opinion. And his assumption that Miss Havisham wanted Pip with Estella has been proven wrong. It is at this point that Pip realizes that the one thing he has been working towards (Estella) will never be. Pip also realizes that in his pursuit of Estella he has trampled on his best friend Joe."
[4] "Feels very at ease and relaxed at the prison,introduces Pip to a man sentenced to hang, and(All of these)was lighthearted and even made jokes with the jailer. On the coach ride to his old village, Pip overhears two convicts speaking about a coin wrapped in two one pound notes given to a young boy. Pip finds out that ___."
[5] "Explain why he feels upset after first learning about this change in fortune. Pip learns that he has been adopted by a wealthy person and he has to move to London to become a gentlemen of Great Expectations. Pip feels torn at leaving Joe and Biddy, who are loyal and kind, and feels lonely at the idea of leaving his whole life behind."
[6] "The objective of this study is a critical study of Pips character and how he climbs the social ladder and loses his innocence and moral through fate and wealth, then returns to his normal at the ..."
[7] "Pip and Estella meet on his first visit to Satis House. He is hurt and humiliated by her condescending attitude, but his insecurity about being common makes him believe that he is..."
[8] "Estella influenced Pip to change his perspective towards things, he was almost possessed by her. Pip wanted to do whatever Estella did, he wanted to be a gentleman. He even recognised Estella as a queen, near the beginning of the book. Estella consistently reminds Pip of how he is common, which influences Pip to have the uttermost desire"
[9] "Like Estella, Pip grows up in a place where he is often not allowed to act as a child. In Estellas case the lack of childish play and affection is due to Miss Havishams plans for Estella which can only be achieved carried out through training the girl form an early age. The reasons for Pips unhappy childhood are somewhat different."
[10] "Pip becomes more successful as a gentleman in London as Herbert teaches him new manners and how to act like a gentleman. He teaches him subtly, so as not to embarrass Pip. Originally, Pip was very bad mannered; in Chapter Nineteen when he first had his expectations, he pulled up grass and tore his hair. But thanks to Herbert, he is now well ..."
Comment on Pip’s quest for gentlemanliness. How did it affect his relationship with Estella ?
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Reviewed by
Assessment Point
on
February 14, 2023
Rating:
5
