Great Expectations - Charles Dickens - English Literature Essay

Charles Dickenn's Great Expectations is a storyas if it is some great honor. Before the news, he
about a boy, Philip Pirrip, who comes to a point inhardly treated Pip any differently than any other
his life where his life changes drastically from thecommon boy. Pip also looks to the way his new
way it was when he was growing up. Wheneveracquaintances are treated, most notably Mr.
this change occurs, he does his best not to letJaggers. He is treated with a great deal of
people know about his past life where he wasrespect by everyone, and even invokes fear in
just a common boy. Throughout the novel,some. Pip had never seen this level of respect for
Dickens points out how people sometimes leadsomeone that was his direct acquaintance before,
two lives that they want to keep separate.except for Miss Havisham, who he knew had
The change in Pip's life is characterized in severalgreat wealth.
ways. First of all, there is a physical change, whenThis dual lifestyle is paralleled in Mr. Wemmick, the
he moves to London. That just accentuates theclerk for Mr. Jaggers. Mr. Wemmick, when at
difference between the two ³lives. Before,work, only thinks about his work, and doesn't let
he lived in a small town that was near somehis personal life affect how he goes about his
marshes, both of which reflect the common sidebusiness. The flip side of the coin is also true, as
of his life. London is seen by Pip as a great andwhen he goes home, he forgets about anything
wonderful city which symbolizes his expectationsthat happened at work, and concentrates on
of what is to come in his future. Another changemaking his deaf father happy. The scene when he
in his life is that he is treated better by others. Mr.takes Pip to work shows the change that he
Trabb, the tailor, takes exception to Pip after hegoes through on his way to work: By degrees,
hears that he has come into a fortune. HeWemmick got dryer and harder as we went
measures Pip very quickly, and gets angry at hisalong, and his mouth tightened into a post-office
son for not showing the same respect of Pip'sagain. Just like Pip, he changes how he acts
wealth. Then, when he next sees Pumblechook,according to which role he is playing.
he repeatedly asks Pip if he may shake his hand,