Gentility and Great Expectations
In his numerous literary works, Dickens strong sense of right and wrong, and his recognition of the many injustices present in Victorian Society are clearly displayed. There is no better an example of these strong set of ideals then those portrayed in his novel, Great Expectations, which tells the story of Pip, a young boy who is initially fooled into believing that material wealth is a substitute for the real moral values a gentleman should posses. However, through the many trials and tribulations he is forced to go through, he is finally able to identify what it means to be a "true gentleman", one that has acquired true wealth and value. It is only then that he is able to see the real meaning behind Matthew Pocket's wise words, that: "No man was not a true gentleman at heart, ever was since the world began, a true gentleman in manner." (Page 175) In Dickens' novel, society's idea of a gentleman is perceived as someone of great affluence and breeding, who did not necessarily posses the moral values and graces a true gentleman should have. After his initial visit to Satis House, Pip was infatuated by Estella's beauty, wealth, and self-importance. He allowed himself to be degraded by her scornful references to his "coarse
At some points, he treats Pip almost as a possession, someone who will be greatly admired and envied for his gentlemanly status. And as if that were not bad enough, he has the audacity to even think that Biddy may be envious of his supposed "rise" in society, so deceived is he by his aspirations, and confident of the wisdom of his superior opinions. " However, on discovering that his benefactor was in fact a convict, Pip's world crashed around him, and he was left shattered and demoralized. He shows this in the way that Pip realizes at long last that it is not wealth and status, which make a gentleman, but the moral values and virtues that have been present in Joe and Biddy all along. It was almost as if snobbishness and repugnance to those less fortunate were seen as attributes of gentility. He portrays this with the changed attitudes of the tradesmen towards the gentleman Pip, who no longer look out of the window whilst they are serving him. Although he was to be executed for his crimes, he experienced the kindness and love from both Herbert and Pip, which his upbringing denied him. For Example, whilst Pip's coming into his fortune is cause for great celebration, it is barely worth it for the tremendous gulf that is created between him and Joe, his treasured friend and ally. Joe and Pumblechook looked forward to some "handsome premium. " (Page 438) He later goes on to secure a place for Herbert at Clarrikers, modestly attempting to conceal his identity, and knowing full well that in doing so he is letting go of a most valued friend. This tames the rough side of his nature. Another change that has taken place in Pip is his inability to perceive Pumblechook as the "Impostor" he so readily recognized him to be as a boy. She took obvious delight in addressing the young Pip as "Boy," further displaying the rudeness of one supposedly belonging to the gentlefolk. Dickens indicates further that the chance for reform is in all of us, gentility aside.
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