Parker Driggs
Mrs. Turner
Honors British Literature
7 December 2016
“Growth” Expectations Potential is the inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or success in the future. Young people are often labeled with having immense potential, sometimes creating an immense burden on them as they try to fulfill those expectations. The potential these people possess can mark the beginning of a great period of growth and development if they learn to nurture their potential appropriately as they grow up. However, the pressure to live up to perceived potential for some people can be overwhelming and cause one to act outside of his/her personality. In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip’s difference in behavior due to the expectations …show more content…
After being bestowed his expectations, Pip deviates from being a lovable boy to an arrogant and rude teen. Pip shows his rude behavior when he says that “whenever I caught one of them looking at me, though never so pleasantly, I felt offended” (Dickens 144). This behavior is appalling as Joe and Biddy want nothing but the best for Pip, yet he treats them condescendingly and acts like they do not exist. Another instance of Pip’s behavior is when Pip finds out Joe is coming to see him in London. Pip, while pondering what he should do, confesses “with what feelings I looked forward to Joe’s coming. Not with pleasure” (Dickens 218). The mortification Pip has of Joe shows Pip’s discomfort of his position with money, for he believes that Joe’s shortcomings will show Pip’s low origins to others such as Drummle. Another instance of the change due to the expectations is when Joe becomes increasingly uncomfortable around Pip and says to him that “you and me is not two figures to be together in London” (Dickens 224). Joe sees Pip as trying to move on from his life back at the forge and realizes connections will be lost. Pip’s arrogance has resulted in him inadvertently beginning to sever a tie with Joe. Pip’s arrogance controls the way he treats Joe until the end of the novel. It is not until Pip becomes a young adult that he realizes his mistakes and tries to make up for what he has
Mrs. Turner
Honors British Literature
7 December 2016
“Growth” Expectations Potential is the inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or success in the future. Young people are often labeled with having immense potential, sometimes creating an immense burden on them as they try to fulfill those expectations. The potential these people possess can mark the beginning of a great period of growth and development if they learn to nurture their potential appropriately as they grow up. However, the pressure to live up to perceived potential for some people can be overwhelming and cause one to act outside of his/her personality. In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Pip’s difference in behavior due to the expectations …show more content…
After being bestowed his expectations, Pip deviates from being a lovable boy to an arrogant and rude teen. Pip shows his rude behavior when he says that “whenever I caught one of them looking at me, though never so pleasantly, I felt offended” (Dickens 144). This behavior is appalling as Joe and Biddy want nothing but the best for Pip, yet he treats them condescendingly and acts like they do not exist. Another instance of Pip’s behavior is when Pip finds out Joe is coming to see him in London. Pip, while pondering what he should do, confesses “with what feelings I looked forward to Joe’s coming. Not with pleasure” (Dickens 218). The mortification Pip has of Joe shows Pip’s discomfort of his position with money, for he believes that Joe’s shortcomings will show Pip’s low origins to others such as Drummle. Another instance of the change due to the expectations is when Joe becomes increasingly uncomfortable around Pip and says to him that “you and me is not two figures to be together in London” (Dickens 224). Joe sees Pip as trying to move on from his life back at the forge and realizes connections will be lost. Pip’s arrogance has resulted in him inadvertently beginning to sever a tie with Joe. Pip’s arrogance controls the way he treats Joe until the end of the novel. It is not until Pip becomes a young adult that he realizes his mistakes and tries to make up for what he has