Great Expectations part 2 Essay - 3,033 words

... his time at Satis House, begins to forget all that Joe has taught him. Pip becomes impressed with the sheer beauty and elegance of
Estella, falling victim to her desirable features. Being lead to believe by Miss Havisham that Estella is meant for him, Pip sets out to
become a gentleman in order to win her over. As well as Estella, Pip falls in love with the perks of upper-class living, here life does
not seem a chore, and consequently becomes ashamed and disgusted by his own social status. Estella especially brings about these
changes in Pip constantly disregarding him as common and coarse, while, to him, she glows with a refined elegance.

"Home had never been a pleasant place to me. But Joe had sanctified it and I had believed in it... In a single year this had all
changed. Now it was all coarse and common, and I would not have Miss Havisham or Estella see it on any account." (Dickens, p.
106) The flame is again used to signify how Pip is drawn to changing and how he is shaped. As Estella leads him through the corridor,
candle in hand, Pip views her as a shining star that draws him closer into believing that he wants to be a gentleman, in the hope of
gaining Estella's respect.

These experiences shape Pip into an unsatisfied, arrogant and ungrateful person, characteristics that are evident in Estella. The
change is truly noted when Pip returns home from Satis house, when he converses with Biddy. (Ingham, p. 129) On one occasion he is
taken by surprise that she can be as intelligent as he considering her position. Another time he asks Biddy if she wouldn't mind
correcting Joe and teaching him how to act in the presence of 'good' company. This arrogance towards those now lower than him, is
natural behavior according to Pip, and it is obvious that Miss Havisham and Estella have played a major role in shaping and
manipulating his attitudes towards life and those who are his friends.

When in London, Pip's attitudes remain the same until his true benefactor reveals himself. Leading up to this event, Pip becomes
friends with Herbert Pocket, who over time reminds Pip what true friendship is about. However, re-occurring encounters with his new
rival Bently Drummle leaves Pip with another reason to become a gentleman and woo the lovely Estella. The criminal world of
Jaggers and Wemmick cause Pip to think even lowlier of those not as well off as he. This makes the revealing of his benefactor much
more disheartening. (Magill, p. 144) Pip is absolutely mortified when Magwitch confronts him with the news that he is Pip's
benefactor.

It is at this moment when all of Pip's dreams are completely shattered. Everything he has worked towards and everything he has
sacrificed were all in vain. "Miss Havisham's intentions towards me, all a mere dream; Estella not designed for me; I only suffered
in Satis House as a convenience, a sting for the greedy relations, a model with a mechanical heart to practice on when no other
practice was at hand; those were the first smarts I had. But, sharpest and deepest pain of all - it was for the convict, guilty of I knew
not what crimes, and liable to be taken out of those rooms where I sat thinking, and hanged at the Old Bailey door, that I had
deserted Joe." (Dickens, p. 323) The moment of realization, that he had wasted his life on chasing the unattainable managed to
surface some of the fundamental Christian values that Joe had taught him as a child. Here Pip feels for the convict, acknowledges
that Magwitch has risked his life to bring him the news and Pip knows that he is forever in debt for the good benefits Magwitch
brought upon him.

This one experience, brought about by one individual, is enough to reassert Pips integrity and resurface the values he had for so long
forgotten. For the final time Pip is changed by the people in his life and the experiences he has. He takes charge of his life, tries to
help Magwitch, and finds it in himself to forgive Miss Havisham and returns home to offer his sincere apologies to Joe and Biddy. It
is at this moment Pip becomes not the gentleman he once strove to be, but a true gentleman, one who gives of himself to the aid of
others. Dickens does not only display this idea of shaping the individual in the character of Pip. Miss Havisham is a dismal reminder
of how much specific experiences can affect a person.

We learn that Miss Havisham fell in love with Compeyson, a love so st

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

...................You are reading a preview................... Visit our Blog and Unlock Full Access to this essay

Continue READING the FULL Essay by clicking HERE

Essay Tags: miss havisham, new york, estella, havisham, great expectations This is an Essay sample / Research paper, you can use it for your
research of: Great Expectations part 2