Duality exists across many concepts: dark and light, bad and good, burden and duty, war and peace. However, one of the most valuable is that of the beacon and the gibbet: the notion of carving our own futures for the sake of destiny. This idea is as old as time itself. In Greek mythology, the tale of Icarus is depicted as one of overestimation and pride. As the story goes, Icarus and his father flee imprisonment from the island of Crete using wings built of feathers and wax. His father warns him not to fly too close to the sea nor sun and ignoring instruction, the sun melts Icarus’ wings and he plummets into the sea. In a fate similar to Icarus, Great Expectations’ protagonist, Pip Pirrip, carves his destiny into life’s gibbet. Confined by
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A thematic element of the novel is the way being common is seen by the oblivious as oppressive, and thus the unwise all strive to escape it. Pip, when he was common, was disappointed with Ms. Havisham when she didn’t offer any special treatment after their time together had come to an end: “I enlarged upon my knowing nothing and wanting to know everything, in the hope that she might offer some help towards that desirable end. But she did not...neither did she ever give me money or anything but my daily dinner – nor even stipulate that I should be paid for my services” (Dickens 109). This was an ignorant act for in this, he degrades Ms. Havisham’s uncommonality by offering respect from a place of desire as opposed to something genuine. Furthermore, when Pip becomes uncommon, he’s simply common among a different breed of people. Hearing of Pip’s newfound wealth, “A change passed over Mr. Trabb. He forgot the butter in bed, got up from the bedside, and wiped his fingers on the table-cloth, exclaiming, ‘Lord bless my soul!’” (180). Despite once being in a position with Ms. Havisham, where he possessed the same motives as Mr. Trabb to escape the common world, Pip lacks the perspective to see Mr. Trabb’s dishonorable intentions. The way one becomes uncommon is by attaining authentic respect and reverence, something Pip has …show more content…
In this, he misses the point of becoming uncommon and thus will never achieve the expectations he set for himself. Joe is an important figure in Pip’s boyhood. Pip, lying to Mrs. Joe regarding his role at Ms. Havisham’s, confides in Joe to which he imparts “Lies is lies. Howsever they come, they didn’t ought to come, and they come from the father of lies, and work round to the same. Don’t you tell no more of’em, Pip. That ain’t the way to get out of being common, old chap” (81). Joe suggests Pip use his moral compass to guide his way to the life of an uncommon gentleman, if it’s something he desires, as an alternative to lying his way into it. In this, Joe values hard work and honorable means of achievement. Despite growing up in a hostile environment and without any formal education, Joe doesn’t harbor any resentment either. He further demonstrates his wisdom by rising above anger in the way he was brought up and refusing to dwell in the past. In transcending that negativity and growing into a man not only with a kind heart but compelling morals, adds complexity to his character and the wisdom he’s attained over the course of his life. Biddy is another character with a strong sense of self. In an attempt to feed his ego, Pip questions her intelligence: “‘How do you manage, Biddy,’ said I, ‘to learn everything that I learn, and always keep
A thematic element of the novel is the way being common is seen by the oblivious as oppressive, and thus the unwise all strive to escape it. Pip, when he was common, was disappointed with Ms. Havisham when she didn’t offer any special treatment after their time together had come to an end: “I enlarged upon my knowing nothing and wanting to know everything, in the hope that she might offer some help towards that desirable end. But she did not...neither did she ever give me money or anything but my daily dinner – nor even stipulate that I should be paid for my services” (Dickens 109). This was an ignorant act for in this, he degrades Ms. Havisham’s uncommonality by offering respect from a place of desire as opposed to something genuine. Furthermore, when Pip becomes uncommon, he’s simply common among a different breed of people. Hearing of Pip’s newfound wealth, “A change passed over Mr. Trabb. He forgot the butter in bed, got up from the bedside, and wiped his fingers on the table-cloth, exclaiming, ‘Lord bless my soul!’” (180). Despite once being in a position with Ms. Havisham, where he possessed the same motives as Mr. Trabb to escape the common world, Pip lacks the perspective to see Mr. Trabb’s dishonorable intentions. The way one becomes uncommon is by attaining authentic respect and reverence, something Pip has …show more content…
In this, he misses the point of becoming uncommon and thus will never achieve the expectations he set for himself. Joe is an important figure in Pip’s boyhood. Pip, lying to Mrs. Joe regarding his role at Ms. Havisham’s, confides in Joe to which he imparts “Lies is lies. Howsever they come, they didn’t ought to come, and they come from the father of lies, and work round to the same. Don’t you tell no more of’em, Pip. That ain’t the way to get out of being common, old chap” (81). Joe suggests Pip use his moral compass to guide his way to the life of an uncommon gentleman, if it’s something he desires, as an alternative to lying his way into it. In this, Joe values hard work and honorable means of achievement. Despite growing up in a hostile environment and without any formal education, Joe doesn’t harbor any resentment either. He further demonstrates his wisdom by rising above anger in the way he was brought up and refusing to dwell in the past. In transcending that negativity and growing into a man not only with a kind heart but compelling morals, adds complexity to his character and the wisdom he’s attained over the course of his life. Biddy is another character with a strong sense of self. In an attempt to feed his ego, Pip questions her intelligence: “‘How do you manage, Biddy,’ said I, ‘to learn everything that I learn, and always keep