Great Expectations by Jane Austen

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Great Expectations by Jane Austen There are two different types of gentleman are presented to the reader throughout Great Expectations. The first is Pip's earlier definition, where he finds a gentleman to be someone with wealth, "breeding", education, and social status. This materialistic definition of a gentleman is exactly like the description of Bentley Drummle, who, however is obviously not a gentleman in behavior or manners - "...he was idle, proud, niggardly, reserved and suspicious. He came of rich people ... who had nursed this combination of qualities until they made the discovery that it was just of age and a blockhead." One of the aspects of being "gentlemanly" to Pip was education. When he originally arrived in London, he was completely ignorant of common etiquette and practice in company, and the way of doing things that was assumed right - "He calls the knaves, Jacks, this boy!" says Estella - Pip immediately begins to regret his background, and assumes that as Estella says the knaves are not Jacks, this is the truth, whereas in reality this is just a socially discriminate term. Herbert helps to teach Pip the right way to do things - he remains very polite, and the "pale young gentleman" goes out of his way not to embarrass Pip whilst he corrects his social misdemeanors - ""...in London it is not the custom to put the knife in the mouth - for fear of accidents - and that while the fork is reserved for that use, it is not put in further than necessary...Also, the spoon is not generally used over-hand, but under..." He offered these friendly suggestions in such a lively way, that we both laughed and I scarcely blushed." ... ... middle of paper ... ...he subject. In the end however, Pip has turned into a true gentleman. He loses the lust for materialistic signs of his wealth and "gentleman-hood". He feels true gratitude and "penitence" for his actions towards Joe and Biddy, and is happy for them both. He becomes selfless, and keeps his secret of his "benefactory" presence towards Herbert, deriving real pleasure from all that Herbert and Clara get out of Herbert's job. He forgives Miss Havisham, although she has effectively almost ruined his life, and does not feel resentful towards Estella for all that she has put him through. Eventually, and, in my opinion, most importantly, he grows to love Magwitch, even at the point where his most un-gentlemanly ways seem at their pinnacle, and puts his own life in danger in a bid to save Magwitch's. He becomes a real gentleman.

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