The True Gentlemen of Great Expectations Essay -- Great Expectations

The True Gentlemen of Great Expectations In Victorian society, a adult male was brought up from birth, molded and manipulated to act, dress, talk, and live as true gentility. Upon reaching adulthood, these gentlemen were expected to convey themselves as society dictated. What happens, however, when a man of lower social stature wishes to become a gentleman, and suddenly finds himself in a position to do so? He now has the financial standing, but lacks the social etiquette that a true gentleman possesses. Whom can he turn to for a role model and management? This is exactly the situation stumble is faced with in the novel Great Expectations. When he first arrives in London, aspiring to be a gentleman, Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket offer the best examples of true gentlemen. Matthew Pocket displays the qualities of a gentleman as a hardworking tutor and a patient husband. Although he does not posses a majuscule deal of wealth, Mr. Pocket houses well-to- do pupils, such as Startop and Drummle, and conducts himself in a gentlemanly manner. His passion for learning and knowledge is fervent, but his perseverance in Pips culture is even greater. Pip comments that, ...he was always so zealous and honor open in fulfilling his compact with me that he made me zealous and honorable in fulfilling my compact with him.(196). Although Pip learned to be hardworking in the forge, Matthew Pocket teaches him to work for the sake of others. Matthews married life is quite a different story. His wife is so eccentric, adleheadded, and unskilled that he constantly lifts himself up by his hair. His patience with his wife, day in and day out, is extraordinary. For example, Mrs. Pocket doesnt greet Pip with ... ...n loyal. In order to be able to live as a gentleman, Pip learns from the examples set by Matthew Pocket, Wemmick, and Herbert Pocket. Each contributes his own qualities to shed a different light on how a gentleman conducts himself. All contribute to help Pip become what he is at the end of the book, a true gentleman at last. Works Cited and Consulted Dickens, Charles. Great Expectations. Ed. Edgar Rosenberg. parvenu York Norton, 1999. French, A.L Imprisonment The Case of Great Expectations. Discussions of Charles Dickens, 82-92. William R. Clark, ed. Boston D.C. Heath & Co., 1961. Russell, Frazier. When I Was A Child- An Introduction to Great Expectations. Yahoo Homepage, 1. Penguin Reading Guides, 7 Nov. 2000. <www.penguinputnam.com/academic/classics/rguides/dickens/frame.html>.