What constitutes the Victorian idea of a gentleman? How does Dickens qualify this idea in his novel 'Great Expectations'?

In addition Herbert, one of the benchmarks of a true gentleman in the novel, is always regarded as a gentleman by Pip. At first, it was because of his class and manners and the fact that he knew the rules of fighting. However, Pip's perception of Herbert begins to shift throughout the novel. Firstly, he is mildly amused by the way that the "pale young gentleman" gets up every time that Pip knocks him down and carries on fighting, but the reader begins to notice this is actually an integral part of Herbert's character - he is buoyant and optimistic to the very end. It also emerges as the novel progresses that Pip is leading Herbert astray rather - he encourages him to spend money, until they are both quite deeply in debt. This is revealed by Clara, Herbert's fiancée, after it becomes clear that Pip has not met her because she doesn't approve of him - "The truth was, that she had objected to me as am expensive companion who did Herbert no good..." The fact that Herbert has become such a gentleman seems all the more surprising when you meet his family - his mother especially, is rude, lazy and treats her children disinterestedly, whilst his aunts and uncles are all money-grabbing, gathering around Miss Havisham to attempt to get into her good books. Herbert's overwhelming politeness and patience is particularly contrasted to Pip's increasing rudeness and bad behaviour when Joe comes to stay. Herbert treats Joe better than Pip himself treats Joe. Joe is extremely uncomfortable, and Pip does nothing to try to relieve his feelings, but Herbert is polite and courteous, and does his best to set Joe's mind at ease. The way he treats Clara is truly good as well. She is caught looking after her father "Gruffandgrim" and he decides marry her to relieve her situation.

In conclusion the true gentleman in the novel is Joe Gargery. Although he possesses none of the materialistic appearances of a gentleman, he is very good in his "hart" and shows this through his actions. Throughout Great Expectations, he has angelic references made to him - "O dear good faithful Joe, I feel the loving tremble of your hand upon my arm, as solemnly this day as if it had been the rustle of an angel's wing." He is referred to as Pip's ministering angel, and to those who know him, they respect him as a gentleman, especially Biddy, who regards him as a proud in his own way and in "...a place that he is competent to fill, and fills well and with respect." This seems like an ideal definition of a true gentleman - they strive to fill their place in society to the best of their ability. Also, through everyday conversation and actions, Joe is revealed to have an almost faultless character - he describes how badly his father had treated Joe and his mother, but instead of feeling angry, he feels pity for his father. He wants to be able to write a epitaph for him - "Whatsume'er the failings on his part, Remember reader he were that good in his hart.", completely forgiving him for the anguish he caused Joe and his mother. Joe also vowed to himself never to treat anyone as badly as he himself was treated - "I see so much in my poor mother, of a woman drudging and slaving and breaking her honest hart and never getting no peace in her mortal days, that I'm dead afeerd of going wrong in the way of not doing what's right by a woman..." When Pip becomes ill, it is Joe that nurses him through his illness, when no-one else looks after Pip. Joe pays off Pip's debt to the bailiffs, and he does not ask for thanks, in fact he doesn't even tell Pip. He leaves quietly without telling Pip, and Pip realises how badly he has treated Joe over the years: 'O Joe, you break my heart! Look angry at me, Joe. Strike me, Joe. Tell me of my ingratitude. Don't be so good to me!" The fact that Joe is meant to represent the true gentleman in the novel is enhanced by something Pip says - he calls Joe a "Gentle, Christian, Man". As well as making reference to the religious way in which Joe is described, it also gets to the very root of the definition of a gentleman - someone who is polite and treats people well (gentle) and someone who observes the Christian views on how to treat people (Christian).