Pip’s Love and Family Relation in "Great Expectations" Free Essay Sample on Samploon.com (2024)

This essay is based on the life of Pip, who is the main character of the book Great Expectation by Charles Dickens. This essay contains several themes such as loyalty, friendship, love, and the relation of Pip in the community. Great Expectations is the story of Pip, an orphan adopted by a blacksmith’s family. Pip is a fortunate boy and has high expectations of love and to become gentleman for love. In Pip’s life, he faces several problems and makes several mistakes, leading him to fail in achieving his expectations. Despite all the failures, he learns to get back up, and the most important lesson to find happiness and love. He learns the meaning of friendship and the meaning of love. He generates a capacity to become a gentleman.

This essay provides an argument about love, relationship, and the hard life of Pip, which is directly connected to a character from the book Ethics, and College student life by Kenneth A. Strike and Pamela A. Moss. People born and learn everything from their family and the surrounding. His every step are the reflection of his culture and society. There is a quotation in the Ethics and college student book, they said that “ Some communities do shape us. This likely to be true of a religious or ethnic community, especially if we were born into it” (Strike and Moss, 111) If one talks about Pip, Pip is raised by his sister Mrs. Joe and Mr. Joe. Pip never valued his family and love, which lead him to fail in achieving his dreams and expectation. We did not blame of Pip only for this behavior because communities and family are those who shape us our behaviors and habits.

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An important aspect of a child’s life is his/ her family. From the first moments of life, children are dependent upon his/her family but in the life of Pip, he missed his parents. However, he was surrounded by many people who cared about him like their own son. His sister and his brother-in-law raised to grow up him up, but Pip never understood the emotion behind it. Even tough Pip was a young boy and had many expectations, he did not have manners. He would behave weirdly in front of others and disrespected his elders. Joe was like a Godfather to him, because Joe raised him since his parent’s death.

Pip did not understand the love from Joe and was very disrespectful to Joe. One time when Pip is leaving Joe, he said: ‘You may be sure, dear Joe,’ I went on, after we had shaken hands, that I shall never forget you'(Dickens, 116). He is young but he needs to show some respect to Joe because Joe is the father-like figure for him. After Pip leaves Joe, he meets many people and many families, friends, and caretakers, but he never feels the sentiment of a family. Magwitch (one host dad of Pip) treated Pip like a son, but Pip did not necessarily require the sentiment. Pip doesn’t understand the value of family and he didn’t fit in the future plan of becoming a gentleman.

This can be seen from his conversation with Magwitch; “Look here, Pip. I’m your second father. You’re my son—more to me nor any son. I’ve put away money, only for you to spend’ (Dickens, 241). This fatherly feeling towards Pip does not seem to be relevant, because Pip did not understand the feelings of all those who loved him. It shows that Pip has an expectation of getting love, but lacks in manners, which a child needs to have. Pip’s behaviors are unethical because of his attitudes of being superior when getting money. When Pip gets money and becomes rich, he humiliates Joel, who raised him since he was a child. He blames Joel for Estella’s rejection, because Joel is an illiterate person, and he teaches wrong ideas to Pip.

In Great Expectations, there is a strong connection between love and expectation. The story draws the old ancient love and affection of Pip and Joel. Pip’s love toward Estella is a craving desire, and he is stunned by the beauty of Estella. Estella is a very pretty girl, and many people wanted her, so he needed to be very careful about proposing her. Unfortunately, Pip does not have any knowledge of proposing to a girl. He proposed Estella by trying to command in his trembling voice like this, ‘Estella, you know I love you. You know that I have loved you long and dearly’ (Dickens, 270).

However, Estella ends up marrying Bentley Drummle (another character in Great expectation), whom she loved dearly, but Bentley doesn’t show his love for a very long period. As a result, Bentley Drummle divorced with Estella immediately after satisfying his wants. Pip thinks he that his love towards Estella is true, but he thinks his loves towards Estella in a different way. Pip shows his love towards Estella like this, “the unqualified truth is, that when I loved Estella with the love of a man, I loved her simply because I found her irresistible. Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always, that I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.

Once for all; I loved her nonetheless because I knew it, and it had no more influence in restraining me, than if I had devoutly believed her to be human perfection” (Dickens,179). This quotation, undoubtedly shows that Pip loved Estella far beyond the reason of lust. When Pip saw Estella he always feels her being omnipresent. It means he has a deep love with Estela, but one can’t assume that Pip loved Estella truly, and will not betray Estella as Bently did. Despite saying all this, his proposal towards Estella is turned down, because of his lack of gentleness.

In the book, Ethics and College Life, there are many case studies that explain the behavior of college students There are case studies about the misunderstanding about a roommate, there is a case of a failed relationship, there is a case of ethical disclaimer and many cases that similar to Pip’s life. Students are a learner and all learner are students. People who study are a student. Likewise, Pip who is studying about family, love, society, and friendship is also a student. He went to London to study to become a gentleman. He learns the importance of family. He studies the importance of love and money. He fights is his own friends, he hurts Joel and he misbehaves with many people because he is innocent. He does not know good manners and is still learning.

So, Pip is a student. Even though Pip fails in this expectation but he never afraid and came back from his decision. In the book Ethics and Collage student life, they explain the nature of some student of not to give up, for an example, Brain(Student; one character in Book) gave one last try and said: “I don’t feel comfortable putting them in little niches like the ‘trends and categories’ we’ve to talk about they’d too complex for that, they’re individual’s.” (strike and moss 88). From school, the student learns to fight with the problem and attempt for better.

Pip wants Estella because she is pretty, but Pip is still a teenager. He has many desire with Estella and to fulfill his desire he becomes ready to change himself. He broke his other relationships and moved to another place to learn good manners. This shows the power of love and desire. If people have a strong desire then they can do anything as Pip did to change himself into a gentleman, because he has a desire to marry Estella. Joel is Pip’s best friend and host dad, he did everything for Pip, but Pip leaves and blames him because of Love. This is the power of emotion. It might not be ethical from the viewers perspective, but it is a good idea for him because his main goal is to fulfill his desire with Estella.

Thus, the main thing in human life is emotion. People perform activities based on their wants and emotion. For example, if someone goes to college, it is because s/he has the feeling to study and get a nice job. If people want to migrant then s/he wants a better life or they didn’t like the place where they lived before. All these activities are connected with human emotions. Emotions have very strong power, which reverses human thinking and behaviors.It can generate enemies, or create friends.

Works Cited

  1. Dickens, Charles, and Edgar Rosenberg. Charles Dickens Great Expectations: Authoritative Text, Backgrounds, Contexts, Criticism. W.W. Norton, 1999.
  2. Strike, Kenneth A. and Pamela A. Moss. Ethics and College Student Life: A Case Study Approach. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008.m
Pip’s Love and Family Relation in "Great Expectations" Free Essay Sample on Samploon.com (2024)

FAQs

What is Pip and Joe's relationship in Great Expectations? ›

Joe Gargery is married to Pip's sister, Mrs. Joe, in Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Joe is the town's hardworking blacksmith, and even though he is technically Pip's brother-in-law, he is very fond of Pip and treats him more like a son.

What is Pip's family situation? ›

Pip is raised by his sister and her husband, Joe, but is mistreated and does not feel a special connection to anyone. When Pip meets Miss Havisham and Estella, he starts to believe if he becomes a rich gentleman, his life will be different, and wealthy people will treat him better.

Who is Pip's love in Great Expectations? ›

At around the age of eight, he meets a beautiful but proud girl named Estella who is of the upper class. Pip falls in love with her and becomes very ashamed of his humble background and his coarse-seeming relatives.

What is the theme of family in Great Expectations? ›

Family. Although Pip and Estella both grow up as orphans, family is an important theme in the novel. Pip grows up with love and support from Joe, but fails to see the value of the unconditional love Joes gives him. He eventually reconciles with Joe after understanding his errors.

What is Pip's relationship with his sister and Joe? ›

The relationships are quickly established: Pip's sister rules the house, beats both her husband and brother, and is insecure and wants to be thought of as irreplaceable; while Pip views Joe, his brother-in-law, as a best friend, fellow-sufferer, and a larger species of child.

What relationship does Joe have to Pip's sister? ›

Joe is technically Pip's sister in Great Expectations, her role is that of a mother figure. After the deaths of their parents, she takes on the responsibility of raising Pip while he is still an infant.

What were Pip's impression of his parents? ›

Answer: since both of pip's parents died before he could remember then , he derived first impressions of them from their tombstones. The shape of the lettering of his father's tombstone caused pip to imagine him as a "square , stout , dark man" with black hair.

Why does Pip live with his sister? ›

On his way home from that visit, Pip finds out his sister was almost murdered and is now mentally crippled. Biddy comes to live with them to help out. Pip is attracted to her even though she is not educated and polished like Estella.

What lessons does Pip learn in Great Expectations? ›

The most important lesson Pip learns in the novel—and perhaps the most important theme in Great Expectations —is that no external standard of value can replace the judgments of one's own conscience.

What is an example of love in Great Expectations? ›

Pip loves Estella without encouragement and without hope. To his credit, he also loves her without pressuring her to return his feelings or behave in a certain way towards him.

Why does Pip fall in love with Estella? ›

PIP'S LOVE OF ESTELLA

Why? The most obvious answer is that he is attracted to her beauty and her social superiority; she is the remote princess of fairy tales. And so the the prospect of Pip's gaining her love would be remote as well.

Is there a love story in Great Expectations? ›

The novel hits the three big marks of a romance novel; two main love interests that draw the readers in, a split or separation between those two characters, and a big romantic gesture. Add in Dickens' comedy, the novel becomes an early version of a romantic comedy.

What is the main message of Great Expectations? ›

During the course of the novel, Pip comes to realize that his “great expectations”—social standing and wealth—are less important than loyalty and compassion.

Why is family a theme in the Pearl? ›

Family is idealized in The Pearl—it's "warmth […], safety […], the Whole." Basically, it's all that and a bag of chips. Main character Kino protects his family above all else (even himself) and he does so with an almost animalistic fervor.

What is the family theme? ›

Family themes describe families. It's a simple family goal that impacts your family positively and provides guidance for every decision your family makes. And from our experience, the best way to choose yours is by knowing what you want your family to exemplify or be portrayed as.

How does Pip and Joe relationship change? ›

Their relationship worsens after Pip becomes wealthy and leaves for London. Even after several years, Pip cannot find a way to reconcile his new position with his original working class trajectory; when Joe pays him a visit, the meeting is strained and awkward.

How does Pip feel about Mrs. Joe's death? ›

Pip is rocked by his sister's death. It's the first death that he's encountered in his grown-up life, and he can't stop thinking about Mrs. Joe in her rocking chair by the fire. She may have been a mean old snake, but he still feels like he should hunt down Orlick, who he believes is the cause of her death.

How did Pip feel when Mrs. Joe died? ›

He is stunned by the news of his sister's death. More than anyone else except for Joe, Mrs. Joe raised Pip, and her death marks an important point in his maturation toward adulthood and the development of his character.

Who was Joe's first love? ›

Candace Stone

The original love interest returned in Season 2 to get closer to Joe to reveal his twisted past and present.

Why did Joe marry Pip's sister? ›

When she was twenty, before this story begins, she was left alone with a helpless infant brother who was not even weaned. By the time the reader is introduced to her, she has already buried two parents and five brothers and has no husband, and hence, no means to support herself. Joe solves that by marrying her.

What is Pip relationship with Miss Havisham? ›

In Great Expectations, Pip was one of lower class. Although he did not have the fortunes, Pip was happy. Once he was introduced to the rich Miss Havisham and her daughter Estella, he fell in love.

Why did Pip never see his parents? ›

Pip is raised by his sister and her husband, Joe Gargery. Pip's parents had already died and were buried in the graveyard by the marshes when we first meet him at the age of seven.

What happened to Pip's family in Great Expectations? ›

Pip's parents died when he was too young to remember them. There are also five deceased infant brothers buried next to his parents. He forms ideas about their physical characteristics by their tombstones. He is raised by his sister and her blacksmith husband.

Why has Pip never seen his parents? ›

Pip is a young orphan who lives in the marsh country with his sister, Mrs. Joe Gargery. Having never met his parents, whatever Pip knows about his family comes from his sister or the cemetery where both his parents and five infant brothers are buried.

Does Pip fall in love with Biddy? ›

In their youth, Pip describes Biddy as unkempt and often in need of a bath. Through adolescence, Biddy remains one of Pip's closest confidants. She falls in love with the ambitious Pip, who chooses to continue chasing the upper-class lifestyle and a girl he will never be able to impress.

Why doesn t Pip love Biddy? ›

Pip seems to feel a natural attraction to Biddy, but his overpowering passion for Estella makes him use Biddy only as a means to an end, as a confidante and a teacher. Pip's desire to elevate his social standing never leaves him; he even seeks to better his surroundings by trying to teach Joe to read.

When was Pip killed off? ›

He died in the episode "201" after asking Mecha-Streisand to stop destroying South Park, which ended with Mecha-Streisand crushing Pip with her foot. Pip has not made a reappearance since.

What does Pip realize at the end? ›

As he gets his injuries from the fire treated, Pip realizes that Magwitch is Estella's father, something Miss Havisham never knew. The plan to get Magwitch out of England fails, and he is promptly arrested and injured. Pip visits him on his deathbed and reveals his Estella is still alive.

What is Pip's secret? ›

Horrified, Pip learns the truth of his situation: the convict went to Australia, where he worked in sheep ranching and earned a huge fortune. Moved by Pip's kindness to him on the marsh, he arranged to use his wealth to make Pip a gentleman. The convict, not Miss Havisham, is Pip's secret benefactor.

What is the moral development of Pip? ›

Pip's main line of development in the novel may be seen as the process of learning to place his innate sense of kindness and conscience above his immature idealism. Not long after meeting Miss Havisham and Estella, Pip's desire for advancement largely overshadows his basic goodness.

What is the Great expectation quote on love? ›

“Love her, love her, love her! If she favours you, love her. If she wounds you, love her. If she tears your heart to pieces – and as it gets older and stronger, it will tear deeper – love her, love her, love her!”

What is an example of showing love? ›

Love can be expressed through physical affection. Holding hands, giving a back rub, embracing, or kissing are often used to express love and attachment.

What is the expectation of love? ›

Physical intimacy, honesty, clear communication, friendship, respect, and acceptance are some of the common expectations men have in relationships. How do you love someone with no expectations? It may not be completely healthy to love someone with absolutely no expectations if you are in a relationship with them.

Does Pip actually love Estella? ›

He harbours intense love for Estella, though he has been warned that Estella has been brought up by Miss Havisham to inspire unrequited love in the men around her, in order to avenge the latter's disappointment at being jilted on her wedding day. Estella warns Pip that she cannot love him, or anyone.

Did Estella kiss Pip? ›

He also meets her toady relatives who want her money and hate Pip. Pip does earn a kiss from Estella when he beats one of the relatives, the Pale Young Gentleman, in a fistfight. Pip tries to better himself to win Estella's admiration by working harder with his friend, Biddy, at night school.

Does Estella kiss Pip? ›

Pip also fights another young boy and wins the fight. Estella then gives Pip a kiss before he goes home.

Does Pip kiss Miss Havisham? ›

Later, Pip kisses Miss Havisham as she mutters her three sentences, completing the marriage- “I leaned over her and touched her lips with mine, just as they said, not stopping for being touched, 'Take the pencil and write under my name, 'I forgive her'".

What chapter does Pip fall in love with Estella? ›

In Chapter 33 of 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens, Pip meets with Estella and we see just how in love he is with her.

Did Miss Havisham want Pip to marry Estella? ›

Miss Havisham enjoys knowing that Pip is infatuated with Estella, but she has no interest in Pip as a suitor for Estella. Rather, in Miss Havisham's scheme, he represents the first of many disappointed admirers.

What is Great Expectations easy summary? ›

Great Expectations follows the childhood and young adult years of Pip a blacksmith's apprentice in a country village. He suddenly comes into a large fortune (his great expectations) from a mysterious benefactor and moves to London where he enters high society.

What is the conclusion of Great Expectations? ›

In the original conclusion, Pip remains single and Estella remarries after Drummel's death. Great Expectations was Dickens's 13th and final finished novel before his death, and critics have called it his best romance and most honest story.

What does Pip symbolize in Great Expectations? ›

Bentley Drummle

In his mind, Pip has connected the ideas of moral, social, and educational advancement so that each depends on the others.

What is the quote from the pearl about family? ›

In his mind a new song had come, the Song of Evil, the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage, secret, dangerous melody, and underneath, the Song of the Family cried plaintively.”

What is the main message of the pearl? ›

What is the main message of the pearl by John Steinbeck? Basically, The Pearl is a cautionary parable warning of the dangers of greed and ambition. Kino's tragic folly is that he pursues his ambition to sell the pearl despite the destructive consequences it brings about for his family.

Why is love important in a family? ›

Why is love important in a family? Familial life love is important because family and friends are caring and love and support one another in a way nobody else can. A family that offers time, caring, and love will be there to support you when you are in a time of need and during the good times, as well.

What is a good theme statement for family? ›

THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:

Healthy families are the bedrock of healthy communities. Families come in a variety of shapes and sizes. True family isn't necessarily biological. Sometimes, family ties need to be broken.

What is the importance of the family? ›

These bonds are important because family helps us get through the most disastrous times and the best times. Family is important because they can offer support and security coupled with unconditional love; they will always look to see and bring out the best in you even if you cannot see it for yourself.

How does Pip's relationship with Joe change? ›

The relationship between Pip and Joe changes from a loving one to one that is marked by intolerance. This would be because of the change in social class. When Pip leaves for London, the gap between Pip and Joe increases physically and emotionally.

How does Joe feel about Pip? ›

Even when treated poorly by Pip, he shows unconditional love and comes to Pip's aid when needed. His function in the story is to love Pip, be a father to him, and show him the path to dignified manhood.

Why is Joe important to Pip? ›

Joe Gargery functions as a symbol of the life Pip tries to reject, but ultimately comes to value. Joe is described as “mild, good-natured, sweet-tempered, easy-going,” and provides a loving and nurturing presence during Pip's childhood.

How does Joe influence Pip? ›

Joe Gargery has an influence on Pip's life as seen through his actions and words. Joe teaches Pip the value of being truthful, as he describes lies as descendants from “The father of lies”(Dickens, 71). This signifies that when one lies it is as if they are listening to the devil himself and disobeying God.

How does Pip react to Mrs. Joe's death? ›

He is stunned by the news of his sister's death. More than anyone else except for Joe, Mrs. Joe raised Pip, and her death marks an important point in his maturation toward adulthood and the development of his character.

What message does Joe deliver to Pip? ›

His struggle with the fork, food, and table manners embarrasses Pip. Finally Joe delivers his message sent by Miss Havisham: Estella is back and would be glad to see him. Acknowledging that he and Pip are not meant to be together in London, Joe leaves shortly afterward.

Why does Pip become ashamed of Joe? ›

Pip is also particularly concerned that Joe will shape other people's impression of him, and cause others to think of him as lower-class. For these reasons, Pip is particularly ashamed of how Joe behaves in front of people like Miss Havisham, Estella, and Herbert. Why does Estella reject Pip's love?

How does Pip betray Joe? ›

Pip steals from his own home and betrays his best friend, Joe, by stealing his file for the convict out of fear for what the “terrible young man" might do to him.

What does Joe apologize to Pip for? ›

He tries to tell Joe about Magwitch and about the last few years, but Joe just tells him that what's past is past. Joe apologizes to Pip for never having been able to stop Mrs. Joe from beating him as a little boy. See, when he did try to stop her, she just beat Pip more severely.

How does Joe feel about Pip leaving? ›

Joe seems deflated and sad to be losing Pip, and he refuses Jaggers's condescending offer of money. Biddy is also sad, but Pip adopts a snobbish attitude and thinks himself too good for his surroundings. Still, when Pip sees Joe and Biddy quietly talking together that night, he feels sorry to be leaving them.

What does Joe tell Pip about lying? ›

Joe told Pip that lying is very bad and that he will keep his secret because he does not like seeing Pip get hurt. He also told Pip that he wasn't angry at him, but he was disappointed. In the end, Pip said that this day will always be a memory for him.

Why does Pip feel guilty? ›

Pip despairs of his “condition of mind"(134), knowing that he despises his place at Joe's side even though the man has forever been good to him. He says that his way of looking at things have changed, which is why he is no longer happy with his circ*mstance; it is this change in perspective that makes him feel guilty.

What does Pip realize at the end of Great Expectations? ›

As he gets his injuries from the fire treated, Pip realizes that Magwitch is Estella's father, something Miss Havisham never knew. The plan to get Magwitch out of England fails, and he is promptly arrested and injured. Pip visits him on his deathbed and reveals his Estella is still alive.

What advice did Joe give to Pip? ›

Joe, who is astonished to find out that Pip has lied, advises Pip to keep company with his own class for the present and tells him that he can succeed someday only if he takes an honest path.

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