In this day and age, chivalry is quite uncommon. Some say that it has died, but others would argue that chivalry is alive and well. Why is society so confused when discussing the quality of its own people? After reading Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, the source of perplexion is quite obvious. In a story of uncertainty and pursuit, the main character, Pip, longed to be a gentleman. He spent years and years of his life training to become a man with wealth, land, and class. One can now determine the problem that has lasted from the time of Charles Dickens until the present. It is extremely difficult to recognize a true gentleman from a false one. Pip yearned to be like those in the upper class after failing to see that his simple childhood
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Pip’s attitude towards his ever-constant friend proved to be the most disappointing part of Great Expectations. From the start, Joe was a safe haven for Pip. Pip’s older sister, Mrs. Joe, raised him with a fiercely abusive arm. Joe became like Pip’s father then, always making himself available to cheer Pip’s spirits. “To-night, Joe several times invited me, by display of his fast-diminishing slice, to enter upon our usual friendly competition; but he found me, each time, with my yellow mug of tea on one knee and my untouched bread-and-butter on the other” (9). Joe never left Pip. And still, Pip did not even consider Joe before leaving for London. Pip did not visit Joe or try to contact him in any way. Joe finally went to visit Pip in London, and Pip had the audacity to be ashamed of his loyal companion. When Pip later fell very ill, it was Joe who showed up to nurse him. When Pip had no money and loads of debt, Joe was the simple blacksmith who paid it off for him. “I had never dreamed of Joe’s having paid the money; but Joe had paid it, and the receipt was in his name” (476). It took Pip too long to realize what he had done to his relationship with Joe. After everything that Joe did for Pip, regret finally dawned on …show more content…
When Pip went to London, he stayed with Mr. Pocket, the man who was to educate him to be a gentleman. Shortly after Pip met Herbert, his new roommate, it became very obvious that the two would be the best of friends. “Herbert Pocket had a frank and easy way with him that was very taking. I had never seen any one then, and I have never seen any one since, who more strongly expressed to me, in every look and tone, a natural incapacity to do anything secret and mean” (175-176). Herbert and Pip immediately grew close, and they remained inseparable for the rest of the novel. When a fugitive approached Pip, the boy had no idea of what to do. Pip instantly went to Herbert for help. “Herbert received me with open arms, and I had never felt before so blessedly what it is to have a friend” (340). Pip was not able to see Joe’s kindness, but he did appreciate Herbert. Herbert’s dedicated friendship made it evident that he was a genuine gentleman.
Affection caused Magwitch, the convict escaped from Australia, to transform into an adoring gentleman. When he was younger, Pip was haunted by Magwitch. The criminal threatened Pip and caused him to steal food for his empty stomach. Magwitch did not come up again in the story until much later, when it was revealed that he was Pip’s secret benefactor. Apparently, the convict was moved by Pip’s action to help him, and Magwitch went on to fund his education as a gentleman. Though Pip’s
Pip’s attitude towards his ever-constant friend proved to be the most disappointing part of Great Expectations. From the start, Joe was a safe haven for Pip. Pip’s older sister, Mrs. Joe, raised him with a fiercely abusive arm. Joe became like Pip’s father then, always making himself available to cheer Pip’s spirits. “To-night, Joe several times invited me, by display of his fast-diminishing slice, to enter upon our usual friendly competition; but he found me, each time, with my yellow mug of tea on one knee and my untouched bread-and-butter on the other” (9). Joe never left Pip. And still, Pip did not even consider Joe before leaving for London. Pip did not visit Joe or try to contact him in any way. Joe finally went to visit Pip in London, and Pip had the audacity to be ashamed of his loyal companion. When Pip later fell very ill, it was Joe who showed up to nurse him. When Pip had no money and loads of debt, Joe was the simple blacksmith who paid it off for him. “I had never dreamed of Joe’s having paid the money; but Joe had paid it, and the receipt was in his name” (476). It took Pip too long to realize what he had done to his relationship with Joe. After everything that Joe did for Pip, regret finally dawned on …show more content…
When Pip went to London, he stayed with Mr. Pocket, the man who was to educate him to be a gentleman. Shortly after Pip met Herbert, his new roommate, it became very obvious that the two would be the best of friends. “Herbert Pocket had a frank and easy way with him that was very taking. I had never seen any one then, and I have never seen any one since, who more strongly expressed to me, in every look and tone, a natural incapacity to do anything secret and mean” (175-176). Herbert and Pip immediately grew close, and they remained inseparable for the rest of the novel. When a fugitive approached Pip, the boy had no idea of what to do. Pip instantly went to Herbert for help. “Herbert received me with open arms, and I had never felt before so blessedly what it is to have a friend” (340). Pip was not able to see Joe’s kindness, but he did appreciate Herbert. Herbert’s dedicated friendship made it evident that he was a genuine gentleman.
Affection caused Magwitch, the convict escaped from Australia, to transform into an adoring gentleman. When he was younger, Pip was haunted by Magwitch. The criminal threatened Pip and caused him to steal food for his empty stomach. Magwitch did not come up again in the story until much later, when it was revealed that he was Pip’s secret benefactor. Apparently, the convict was moved by Pip’s action to help him, and Magwitch went on to fund his education as a gentleman. Though Pip’s