How does Dickens establish the development of Pip at the start of Great Expectations

Chapter 1 reveals Pip's ancestry and social conditions. We learn that he is a young orphan brought up "by hand" this tell us that Pip home life might not a safe and loving place as it ought to be for a child but somewhere he dreads going to .It also shows us the relationship between Joe and him (Pip). Someone who he can relate to and trust at home this illustrates how close they are and point him out as someone important in Pip's miserable life. We see Pip's personality as we learn that is an inquisitive young boy who wants to learn "what a questioner he is .Ask no question, and you'll be told no lies" this tells how Pip is expected to be seen not heard like many children in Victorian England. He is also portrayed as quiet polite even in a life threaten situations "Goo-good night sir" this reveals that Pip sticks to his upbringing and morals.

We can see quite clearly how Dickens start to construct this story as a bildungsroman by informing the reader of Pip's social conditions and ancestry, also by Pip telling the story as an adult looking back on his life this creates an effect of the reader gaining a personal insight into Pip's life.

Dickens portrays Pip as a young helpless boy who strives to do the right thing. After his encounter with Magwitch the convict, we learn he is fearful and guilty after stealing from his sister "my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Turks connotes that he feels guilty for doing something which is sacrificing him to the prison ships. The feeling of vulnerably is shown in the setting by using the weather; it is described as miserable and dark. "The mist was heavier "this could symbolize his heavy conscience asking him wheatear he did the right thing or not?

A sense of evil is present is suggested. "Some goblin" as goblin is associated with evil this could signify that Pip thinks what he doing is wrong. In addition, this could signify that Dickens also feels that Victorian society itself is corrupt and immora. He places the goblin outside.

In chapter, eight it is the first time in the story that Pip starts to explore the Victorian social hierarchy and starts to wonder where he is and why. Instantly as he enters Miss Havisham's house, he see an elderly woman "dressed in rich materials satin, lace and silks". This description shows that Miss Havisham is of a higher-class to Pip because he had expensive clothes and luxurious materials. This contrasts with Pip's "thick boots" and indicates that Miss Havisham is socially superior to Pip. When young Pip realises he starts to question himself, also him getting constantly being put down by Estella also contributes to him feeling inferior. Pip felt unaware that he was working class, even though he lived in a bad way he did not think he was worse of than anyone else was even though he sub-consciously knew from the visits from uncle Pumblechook.

He vents his frustration physical as" kicked the wall..."this proves that Pip does care now he is living and how it differs to Estella's and Miss Havisham. As Pip is the narrator and done in first person, the reader feels more understanding and feels sympathy towards him.

The relationship between Joe and Pip changes significantly after his visit to Miss Havisham.At first Pip is not materialist, he only cares about how happy he is and feeling proud of where he comes from. He describes his house like a "mysterious portal of the temple of state" somewhere Joe "sanctified".

However, when he realises that he belongs to a lower class to the Havishams by Estella's remarks. His beings to resent resent Joe and his home life blaming Joe for the way he turned out. "I wish you hadn't taught me to call knaves at cards jacks!" he believes that Joe made him a lower class and inferior to Estella.

We also notice that Pip no longer confides in Joe. "I am glad to know that I never breathed a murmur to Joe while my indentures lasted." The fact the Pip did not talk about anything but the apprenticeship. Contrasts with how they use to look out for each other "Yes Pip....she's got the Tickler with her" this connotes that Pip no -longer sees Joe as an equal but as an inferior like he feels around Miss Havishams'.

Overall, Pip's identity has changed from a carefree sensitive boy to a young man who un-regrettably leaves his friends for London society, who has gain "Great Expectations" by inheriting a large sum of money and entering English aristocracy. When Dickens is describing how English upper and lower class differs. which links, to, Dickens commenting on social conditions and desire by following Pip's desires from happily living at home to craving approval of Estella and Miss Havisham.

Sahra Mohamed 10N