the moral story of the pip
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Change occurs constantly. This can happen unbeknownst to people; yet, at the same time, people can induce changes within themselves. This concept is obviously noticeable with Pip, the main character and narrator of the book Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. A major theme in Great Expectations is the definition of a true “gentleman.” The notion of what a gentleman is metamorphosizes and develops within Pip’s mind throughout the story. In time, Pip will eventually become one in the true sense that he displays an understanding of proper morals and attitudes, acting accordingly. Great Expectations traces the change in Pip’s moral development as he becomes a gentleman. This transformation is marked by three distinct stages: guilt/fear, self-interest, and altruism.
In tracing the development of Pip’s character, one discovers that Pip’s morals are in need of development when he is young, for he acts out of fear and experiences guilt. At the beginning of Great Expectations, Pip is seven years old. Pip is vulnerable at such an early age. Like clay that is not yet hardened, he is to be molded by “potters’ hands” – the people and other influences around him. Pip’s first profound initiation of fear, which dictates his thoughts and actions, stems from his first encounter with Magwitch. In reference to wanting a file and “wittles” (victuals), Magwitch says the following to Pip:”You bring them both to me, or I’ll have your heart and liver out!” (Ch. 1, p. 3 7)
The fear of authority and pain dominates Pip’s thoughts and influences his actions. The influence is so profound that Pip, reacting out of fear, robs Mrs. Joe. In response to this, Pip feels guilty, which begets more fear, as demonstrated through his vivid imagination:
“But I ran no further than the house door, for there I ran head foremost into a party of soldiers with their muskets: one of whom held out a pair of handcuffs to me, saying, ‘Here you are, look sharp, come on!”‘ (Ch. 4, p. 61)
The soldiers were not there to arrest him but guilt and fear altered Pip’s thoughts into believing so. Later, Pip’s fear of authority is further shown in his response to Mrs. Joe. The fear of being misunderstood and also of physical abuse leads Pip to lie about his encounter with Miss Havisham at Satis House.Pip feels guilty and confesses to Joe. To change into a true gentleman, Pip will first have to mature and develop a proper sense of morals rather than act out
of guilt and fear.
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