Great Expectations

Great Expectations

One of the main things Pip learns is self-discovery and maturity. As a child, Pip has a very low self esteem. He did not respect himself, partly because the people around him will not let him. First of all, he is beaten by his sister, which makes him afraid to be who he wants to be. Estella, his love, treats him like she is better than him and calls him “coarse and common” These words make Pip like himself even less. When he sees what Estella has compared to him, he feels unhappy with what he has and feels the need to change, and when his great expectations arrive, he gets his wish.

Later in the book, when Pip travels to London, his self image changes, but not necessarily for the better. His view goes from one extreme to the other: loathing to pride. His great expectations and the money he receives from an anonymous donor gives him the thought that he is better than he was before and everyone else. He believes that his money will win Estella, but those hopes were later crushed. He begins to treat the people he loves differently, like he is superior to them. Joe and Biddy are treated this way, and they are two of few people that have always truly loved him. Later Pip finds out that this is not the person her really wants to be.

Stage III is when Pip really matures and finds himself. By seeing the life that Magwitch had, he really begins understand and appreciate how much better his life is than he thought before going to London. Losing his great income seemed to help Pip understand that money is not the basis of happiness, but the people you love are. He finally apologizes for his behavior toward Joe and Biddy and treats them lovingly. Even though Joe married the woman Pip wanted, he is still as happy as he could ever be and matures in such a way that he lets people love him for who he is, and not his money.

The struggles that Pip overcome-both internal and external-build him to be a stronger person and discover himself as who he will be for the...