Identity Development in Great Expectations Essay - 1383 Words

Great Expectations tells the ultimate rags to riches story of the Orphan Pip. Dickens takes his readers through life changing events that ultimately mold the identity of the main character. Dividing these events into sections will provide the basis for interpreting which events had the most profound effect on Pip’s identity towards the end of the novel. These life-changing events provide the catalyst for the development of Pip’s character from childhood, his adolescence, maturing into a social gentleman, and finally becoming a self-aware man of society. The novel opens with Pip in a church cemetery explaining the origin of his name and contemplating how his parents would look if they were alive. Early in the novel, Dickens begins†¦show more content†¦Pip expresses that he ...loved Joe perhaps for no better reason than because the dear fellow let me love him implying that Pip may have a problem expressing the way he feels about those in his life (Dickens 41). This lack of expression remains present in Pip’s character throughout the novel, especially with frustration for the way he feels about Estella. Pip earning his expectations put a strain on the already limited relationship that he had with Joe, once Pip began to realize that Joe’s occupation was meager and unfit for someone with Pip’s means. As mentioned before, Pip possess and inability to fully express his feeling about those around him. When he first encounters Estella, he knows that is a physical attraction but Estella’s cold and indifferent actions toward Pip leave him longing for someone he cannot create a true connection with. Furthermore, Estella has the one of the greatest influence on Pip’s identity in the novel once he obtains his expectations and attempts to alter his personality to mimic that of a genteel individual. Pip describes the anguish he feels about his background as â€Å"a most miserable thing to feel ashamed of home† insinuating that the only way to win Estella over is to disregard his humble beginnings in Kent. Which leads to his desires to become a gentleman in London in hopes that he will be better suited for Estella. The next phase in theShow MoreRelatedWho Is The Leader Follower Theory?845 Words   |  4 PagesLeader – Follower Theory Those in leadership positions within workplace environments often look towards ways to effectively lead teams of people to reach organizational goals Frequently believing there is one great method to be applied at all times without giving must thought to the possibility of building relationships with team members. Including the social aspect of team building can provide limitless opportunities for a team to excel while still staying focused on workplace goals. 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