Philip “Pip” Pirrup’s Development

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

Expectations a novel of moral education.
Although shame and guilt are often brought on by actions, it can also brought about by circumstances beyond the individual’s control. Pip’s first moral development stemmed from both such instances. His shame for Joe and himself for being common and mundane were first contrived soon after encountering Estella. Although Pip wasn’t the normal, satisfied child that one would think most children to be, he felt no shame for Joe or himself. Although Estella and himself were of the same age, she had a talent of making him feel inferior. She was disgusted at hearing him call knaves “Jacks.” She continued heartlessly, belittling him by commenting on his hands, exclaiming “And what course hands he has!” (90). Instantly, his mind contemplated on her words, causing whatever self-confidence he had to shatter into nothing. He admitted in his thoughts, “I had never thought of being ashamed of my hands before, but I began to consider them a very ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

Pip felt, feelings of guilt manifested after the fight with the pale young gentleman. Soon after the fight, he “felt but a gloomy satisfaction in my victory. Indeed, I go so far as to hope that I regarded myself . . . as a species of savage young wolf, or other wild beast” (121). The symbolism behind the scuffle between the pale young gentleman and Pip is subtle but noticeable. It represents the current emotional dispute that Pip has within himself, himself vs. the need to become a gentleman. Although he won the dispute, he wasn’t pleased with his actions. Ironically, although the dispute was won by Pip, the emotional battle raging within him was won by the “pale young gentleman”. ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library. Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports, and research papers in 2 minutes or less.

CITE THIS PAGE: