Great Expectations Group

Question:

raziaisdabest
raziaisdabest
Student
Community / Jr. College

In "Great Expectations," why does Pip want to be a gentlemen?  Why does he feel ashamed around Joe?

could anyone help me with these question please using PEE (point, evidence and explanation).

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Posted by raziaisdabest on Sunday May 11, 2008 at 12:27 PM and tagged with characters, great expectations, joe, pip.

Answers:

  1. pmiranda2857
    pmiranda2857 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Pip wants to be a gentleman because he wants to impress Estella.  Pip has fallen in love with Estella and she thinks of him  "Why he is a common labouring-boy!"  Estella plays with Pip but looks down on him.  When Pip is given the chance to become a gentleman, he embraces the process. 

    Pip is ashamed of Joe because he is a common working man, a blacksmith.  He is not educated, but he is a good judge of character.  Joe is a kind man, he helps Pip as much as he can with Pip's sister, his wife.  But when Joe comes to London, Pip is uncomfortable to have him in his environment.  Joe's commonness is very obvious and it makes him refer to Pip as Sir. Which makes Pip even more uncomfortable.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/expectations-text
    http://www.enotes.com/expectations/characters

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    Posted by pmiranda2857 on Sunday May 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM