How do Pip's Perceptions of People and Class Change Throughout the Novel?
Class is a central theme throughout the novel. In the nineteenth century class divisions were very strict and class was not just about money but dress, speech, manners and behavior. Pip changes class from a country laborer to a city gentleman in the novel and realizes that to be a true gentleman you have to be a good person inside like Joe Gargery.
Pip lived in a cottage in the marsh country of Kent with his sister Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband Joe Gargery the Blacksmith. Pips mother and father were both dead, so Pips sister grudgingly brought him up. Joe was a mild, good natured, easy going and sweet tempered yet foolish man. This is a complete contrast to Mrs. Joe Gargery who, as you read the book more, you like less and less. Joe and pip got on well as Mrs. Joe Gargery overpowered them both, Pip treats Joe as, " a larger species of child," and Joe treats Pip almost as his equal, but they both have respect for each other.
Satis House was very dark inside the only light came from a candle that Estella holds, " still it was all dark, and only the candle lighted us," This is showing another contrast, this time of light and dark. In Miss Havishams room it was still dark but everything in it looked old and as if it had not been used in years, " everything which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow." When Miss Havisham asks Pip to Play cards with Estella, Estella, who thought she was much higher in class than Pip, kept criticizing him, " he calls the Knaves, Jacks this boy," and, " What course hands he has! And what thick boots!" Pip is affected by this and felt ashamed of who he was, " I had never thought of being ashamed of my hands before, but began to consider them a very indifferent pair." Estella had made Pip feel he and his family were not good enough and Pip wanted to do something about it. Pip is wrong about having to dress well and act as though everyone is beneath you to be a gentleman, its what's inside that counts but Pip didn't realize that at the time. I don't think Estella is a very nice person because she treats Pip like dirt, I think it has something to do with the way Miss Havisham has brought her up, to break someone else's heart like hers was broken, " Well? You can break his heart."
Class is a central theme throughout the novel. In the nineteenth century class divisions were very strict and class was not just about money but dress, speech, manners and behavior. Pip changes class from a country laborer to a city gentleman in the novel and realizes that to be a true gentleman you have to be a good person inside like Joe Gargery.
Pip lived in a cottage in the marsh country of Kent with his sister Mrs. Joe Gargery and her husband Joe Gargery the Blacksmith. Pips mother and father were both dead, so Pips sister grudgingly brought him up. Joe was a mild, good natured, easy going and sweet tempered yet foolish man. This is a complete contrast to Mrs. Joe Gargery who, as you read the book more, you like less and less. Joe and pip got on well as Mrs. Joe Gargery overpowered them both, Pip treats Joe as, " a larger species of child," and Joe treats Pip almost as his equal, but they both have respect for each other.
Satis House was very dark inside the only light came from a candle that Estella holds, " still it was all dark, and only the candle lighted us," This is showing another contrast, this time of light and dark. In Miss Havishams room it was still dark but everything in it looked old and as if it had not been used in years, " everything which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre, and was faded and yellow." When Miss Havisham asks Pip to Play cards with Estella, Estella, who thought she was much higher in class than Pip, kept criticizing him, " he calls the Knaves, Jacks this boy," and, " What course hands he has! And what thick boots!" Pip is affected by this and felt ashamed of who he was, " I had never thought of being ashamed of my hands before, but began to consider them a very indifferent pair." Estella had made Pip feel he and his family were not good enough and Pip wanted to do something about it. Pip is wrong about having to dress well and act as though everyone is beneath you to be a gentleman, its what's inside that counts but Pip didn't realize that at the time. I don't think Estella is a very nice person because she treats Pip like dirt, I think it has something to do with the way Miss Havisham has brought her up, to break someone else's heart like hers was broken, " Well? You can break his heart."
