PIP’S SLIP-UPS The book Great Expectations by Charles Dickens tells the life story of a boy named Pip. His parents died when he was young, leaving him in the care of his sister and her husband, Joe. As Pip grew, he was faced with a blood-curdling escaped convict, a chaotic rich woman, and a few twisted love interests. The more that Pip experienced, the more opportunities opened up for him. He moved to London where he would soon adapt to the ways of becoming a gentleman. However, Pip’s choices as a gentleman are not so favorable. Some of his biggest decisions led to his greatest mistakes in life, yet he still turned out to be quite an admirable person. Like many people, Pip has learned from his mistakes. His errors were usually followed with consequences that led him to ponder whether or not he had made the right decision. The first incident the reader experiences Pip’s mischievous actions is at the beginning of the story while he is visiting his parents’ graves. As he walks through the marshes, he haplessly runs into an escaped convict. The convict threatens to harm Pip if he fails to supply him with food and a file. When Pip returned home, he not only lied to his sister about where he had been, but then stole food from the pantry while she and Joe were asleep. After reporting back to the convict with his requests, Pip felt guilty for lying to his caregivers. They worked to bring Pip up by hand and in return he had stolen from them to feed an escapee. As Pip thought to himself that evening, he pondered why he hadn’t told the truth when he had the chance. “It was much upon my mind (particularly when I first saw him looking about for his file) that I ought to tell Joe the whole truth. Yet I did not, and for the reason that I mistrusted that if I did he would think me worse than I was. The fear of losing Joe's confidence, and of thenceforth sitting in the chimney corner at night staring drearily at my forever lost companion and friend, tied up my tongue.” (Dickens,46). Pip allows the guilt to devour him because he is afraid of losing Joe’s trust by exposing the truth. This incident helped Pip realize that Joe, the only character we can truly call Pip’s friend from the start, means the most to him. Before leaving for London to become a true gentleman, Pip has many of the characteristics fit to be a kind person.
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He had Joe’s kind heart to set an example on how to treat people fairly as he grew up. When Pip was invited to Miss Havisham’s house, he was greeted by her daughter, Estella. The first thing he pointed out about her was her beauty. Later on, Miss Havisham forces Estella to play with Pip. As they play, Estella pokes at Pip’s flaws. "He calls the knaves Jacks, this boy?" said Estella, with disdain, before our first game was out. "And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!" (Dickens,67). The whole time Pip is respectable and seemingly nice to the young lady, but in return she brushes him off. In fact, Estella’s harsh words are what invigorate Pip to change himself. He somewhat craves her approval as they run into each other for the majority of the story. Nevertheless, Estella isn’t the only person Pip respects. While Pip is in London, he discovers the convict from his childhood, Magwitch, is his true benefactor. This discovery leads him to help hide Magwitch and create an escape plan for him. At first he wants nothing to do with him, but after all Magwitch has done for Pip, he owes it to him. In fact, Pip feels as if Magwitch has done so much to help him that he refuses to continue to use his money. It is true that Pip’s mistakes have degraded himself as a person. He basically disowned the only people that have been there to love him unconditionally. He didn’t want to affiliate himself with Joe because he was a commoner, and he put Biddy’s love on hold for Estella. “...as I went along, on all I had seen, and deeply revolving that I was a common laboring
He had Joe’s kind heart to set an example on how to treat people fairly as he grew up. When Pip was invited to Miss Havisham’s house, he was greeted by her daughter, Estella. The first thing he pointed out about her was her beauty. Later on, Miss Havisham forces Estella to play with Pip. As they play, Estella pokes at Pip’s flaws. "He calls the knaves Jacks, this boy?" said Estella, with disdain, before our first game was out. "And what coarse hands he has! And what thick boots!" (Dickens,67). The whole time Pip is respectable and seemingly nice to the young lady, but in return she brushes him off. In fact, Estella’s harsh words are what invigorate Pip to change himself. He somewhat craves her approval as they run into each other for the majority of the story. Nevertheless, Estella isn’t the only person Pip respects. While Pip is in London, he discovers the convict from his childhood, Magwitch, is his true benefactor. This discovery leads him to help hide Magwitch and create an escape plan for him. At first he wants nothing to do with him, but after all Magwitch has done for Pip, he owes it to him. In fact, Pip feels as if Magwitch has done so much to help him that he refuses to continue to use his money. It is true that Pip’s mistakes have degraded himself as a person. He basically disowned the only people that have been there to love him unconditionally. He didn’t want to affiliate himself with Joe because he was a commoner, and he put Biddy’s love on hold for Estella. “...as I went along, on all I had seen, and deeply revolving that I was a common laboring